The Barrel was Pyraser (Pyras, Bayern) Landbier. The Company seemed very familiar, did we not all bring in the New Year together in Chester? Dr. Stan and Neil replaced Clive and Maggie, Marg had hockey. Eleven mouths, the upper limit for a 30l Tub.
Kick-off was 14.00, Hector had been charged with arranging the Curry for delivery at 17.00.
Those who are familiar with Namkeen, The White Karahi as served in Glasgow’s South Side will be aware of Chef Waris. Half of The Company had experienced the joy of this creation, Craig and Yvonne, our Hosts, were in for a treat though they had been warned – expect something different. The White Karahi exists in a World somewhere between Curry and Lamb Stew.
Is it Curry?
Yvonne had prepared Rice but had also made her Special Spiced Onions. Raita from the Sheesh Mahal in Bradford was also on offer, this is a Tasty Raita, and Brown to boot.
Michara delivered the Curry in the largest pot ever seen with a Dozen Chapattis, some Buttered, some Plain. First glimpse of The White Karahi looked impressive. A sprinkling of Herbs had been placed over the 5.0kg of Curry. This did not look like Soup, it wasn’t.
Yvonne decanted the Curry. On reheating she was convinced that liquid would reappear as it warmed. Strangely this did not happen. Waris had made us a Proverbially Dry White Karahi, a departure from what he has set before us previously. Interesting.
The Seasoning was the first to register – Bang-on – here we go. Green Chillies were sporadic, enough to give little surprises. The Intensity of Flavour was astonishing, The Kick crept in, cue more Chillies. This was something very special.
Tracey has previously declared Waris’ White Karahi as being the Best Curry she has ever experienced. Today’s interpretation had her singing Waris’ praises once again. Nobody was disappointed, The Company are all appreciators of Proper Curry. Even Craig found this to be within his tolerance zone, and there was a Kick.
Most returned to replenish. Initially I wondered if 5.0kg would be excessive, no way. There was a solitary spoonful left at the end. Who had that?
Hopefully, Waris will continue to cook for us. Waris is Heisenberg.
This was Curry.
There is a Barrel Party this afternoon, Lunch is required afore. A Snack, nothing Heavy, but why compromise and eat Bland? Babu Bombay Street Kitchen (186 West Regent St, Glasgow, G2 4RU) should serve my purpose.
I asked for something different and Vegetarian. Aviyal was the offer, a Vegetable and Coconut Stew. Rice was recommended as The Accompaniment. A choice of Salad on the plate became Raita.
Mags and Hector did not stand on ceremony, there’s only one way to eat Lamb Chops. Even Yvonne does that. The Seasoning and The Spice were Perfection, is Hector becoming a convert to Tikka-style Lamb after all these years?
Why did I have a Starter? Kenny said later that he thought this was for both of us. Whatever the difference was between the Karahi and Roshan Lal remains a mystery. I think I’ll be back soon to find out. Normally I would have invited myself to sample a New Dish, Hector had enough on his plate.
The Paratha was Huge and Flaky, just how Hector likes it, Superb. No way could I eat a whole one. The Paratha did accompany The first half of The Curry, thereafter volume insisted Curry alone. Meanwhile my Co-diners had destroyed the Roti Pile and were endeavouring to do the same to the Chapattis. We had a mass of Food.
There was also the realisation that Hector only has six more evening work commitments, Ever, in Helensburgh. Six more? As has been written previously, Hector has dined at the 
The Mixed Combo came with suitable haste. Straight into the Tikka Lamb, Gosh! The Subtle Spice and the Seasoning. Two Pieces, I left the second to the end. I could eat this all night. Maybe I should just order this? The Seekh Kebab was Fine, not Outstanding. The Two Pieces of Chicken Tikka were Superb. The Moist Chicken, Succulent in the extreme. Hector enjoying Chicken? Back to the Lamb, oh yes.
Ginger, however there was another Dominant Flavour which I recognised but cannot be sure of its identity. When in doubt, nominate Fennel.
Steve led the way- Mixed Starter, Lamb Methi, dry and spicy and a Keema Naan. £10.80, one can never have enough Keema. Hector too had spotted the availability of Lamb Methi and did not fancy Rice or Bread at this time. Aloo Gobi should make a Perfect Partner.
Steve’s Mixed Starter was a modest offering, especially when Hector cannot stop thinking about the Wonder that is the 
The Lamb Methi was Suitably Seasoned, the Aloo Gobi was Seasoned to Perfection. The Dry State of the latter worked well with the Wetter than hoped for Masala. A Range of Flavours were emerging, this was quite Impressive, not Champions League by any means, but better than the Second Division. The Lamb was sufficiently Tender, though Steve did question this and was immediately shot down by Hector and Mags. OK, so the Curry came out of The Lamb Pot, more Lamb would have been welcomed, but look at the price. Some of Mags’ Mushroom Rice found its way across the table, Fine. Hector had been Well Fed.
The Main Courses were Expensive, £12.95 up to £19.95. Tapas would win. Howard chose the House Lamb Curry with a Roti, £7.50 in total.
Fenugreek Kissed Potatoes seduced The Hector. This had to be explored, Methi. Keema Therapy featured Mince and Peas, plus a donation to charity. £9.50 in total, more than was paid for a for a Main Course two days previously in Bradford.
In a flat metal tray, reminiscent of army rations, came the the Potatoes. Bratkartoffelen are a particular Hector Favourite. What was served here was Special, better than any Pan Fried Potatoes Hector has encountered previously. The Fresh Onion provided a Diversity of Texture, the Mowgli Masala had a Magnificent Flavour. Imagine Mango Chutney meets Tamarind, Stunning! These are the Best Potatoes I have ever eaten – remarked Hector. This caused Marg and Howard to take note. At £3.00 perhaps better value than anything else we had ordered today.
The Masala-Soup was absorbed by the Vegetable Rice which featured Cabbage, Peas and both Sliced and Diced Carrots. Diced Carrots. The Combination worked well. Indeed the Hector Palate was stimulated. Was the Meat actually Lamb? The Firmness suggested otherwise. The Overall Portion of Curry and Rice was substantial, more than enough food for this time of day.
£16.70. A couple of quid above the average perhaps. However, this was indeed a Good Feed.
The Hector Curry was as Dry as anticipated. The Mushrooms in the Rice were tinned, not wonderful, and the Achari may have been lost between table and kitchen. Still, this was a Bradford Curry packed full of Flavour.
Craig too was in his element once again, waxing lyrical about the splendour of Bradford Curry. 
The Ladies loved their Fish Curry, one each, they could have shared. Both were defeated halfway. I sampled some of Yvonne’s. The intensity of Flavour was astonishing. Should I have ordered Fish? I’ll be back. Meanwhile Craig devoured the milder Marg – Fish Curry. This would set him up for the day, he might last to The Bells this year.
Hector was in the mood for something different, a departure from the seductive Lamb Karahi on-the-bone. I actually studied The Menu last night and so had Lamb and Potato Balti in mind, with Extra Methi added, of course. Craig spotted the Seafood Balti as soon as The Menu was placed in his hand, sorted. The Ladies both chose Starters as an elegant sufficiency, Lamb Chops. Marg cannot resist 
The Balti were presented in Tall Pots, Buckets. Yvonne was so taken she remarked on them to our Waiter when they were later collected. You can take one – was Mein Host’s offer. It is the Contents however that were of greater interest.
Hector’s Balti – Aloo Gosht was piled high with Fun. Wonderful Lamb, suitably Spiced with the Methi doing its job, The Bradford Herb Flavours. The Potato added the required Diversity. More Seasoning would have improved this but after a killer Bacon Roll served from a South Street (Glasgow) Chuck-wagon for Breakfast, I had already been a-salted today.
