Sheesh Mahal

Having recently decided to re-visit some of my favourite Bradford Curry Houses, and some of my favourite dishes, a trip to the Sheesh Mahal for their Mutton Methie (sic), was a must.  The Sheesh Mahal produce an excellent and text book Bradford Curry, which is essentially dark and dry. No soupy curries here.

Methi, or fenugreek as it's perhaps more commonly known, is essentially just a bitter herb, and is famed not only for it's taste, but also for medicinal uses.  The Sheesh utilise methi to the max in their Methie dishes and, like all great dishes, it's the flavour and textural balances that I think are key.  The Mutton Methie is always well seasoned and spiced.  The methi herb adds a unique and pleasant bitterness and, therefore, a flavour profile unlike other curries.  The bitterness is subtle, however, and moreish if anything.  I always think there is a sort of 'dusty' taste to the methi also.

The Excellent Mutton Metie, Two Rotis, pickles, side salad and popadom for £6.50

Also, as already mentioned is the texture of the Sheesh Mahal's curry is key to its enjoyment for me.  Being of the typically Bradfordian dry variety, it stays put in the bowl, and does not seep or ooze.  It is ideal when scooping with the included chappatis, rotis or naan.    

As always at the Sheesh Mahal, a small accompaniment of a popadon, side salad and pickles are included and brought with the menus.  So its an all-round proper Bradford Curry eating experience and all for super value for money (all the above for £6.50!) - and that's why the Sheesh rates highly with me. 

Satisfied Customer

Punjabi Sizzler Bar and Grill

Another lunch time visit to the excellent Punjabi Sizzler and Grill, so lunch time menu it is again.

Difference?  The proprietor recognised me from the Blog!  My previous Punjabi Sizzler Blog (here) had received a lot of traffic to be honest - so shows there's quite a buzz about this place.  He's a nice guy and said he like the post. Happy days, but always a little awkward.  However, I've chosen to plaster my face across the internet as some sort of curry aficionado (which I'm not!) so is bound to happen occasionally. Hey ho.

Anyway, on to the fodder.  Today I tried a Seekh Kebab Wrap (for £3.50 and includes a drink) and then greedily ordered Veg Samosa Chaat (£2.50) at the last minute.  I was feeling hungry the order just inexplicably and uncontrollably blurted out!

The Samosa Chaat was again excellent. Very textural with plenty of crunch, and again super sour and with a sprinkling of fresh herbs and gently warming heat. Could eat it all day!

The Wrap was presented in a warp, funnily enough... as opposed to a naan or anything.  Two juicy and meaty kebabs wrapped with usual kebab related grated carrot etc.  I was asked how I wanted my wrap? "Everything on" was the response.  Punjabi Sizzler obliged.  The wrap was good and spicy without being overwhelming.  A lovely lunchtime snack.

Punjabi sizzler is a great place and we'll worth a trip. I need to rally the family and get down for an evening meal. From what I've experienced so far I'm sure it will be great.

Karachi

The Blog is going from strength to strength, and has just passed the 40,000 hits milestone!  Thanks all for reading.

This I decided needed a small celebration, and in order to celebrate properly, a proper 'Old Skool' Bradford Curry was needed.  Therefore, I headed for one of MY - oh and that there Rick Stein guy's too - all time favourites - Karachi's Lamb and Spinach Balti. Quite simply one of the best dishes in Bradford - One of THE all time classics... end of. 

Today, as always, Karachi served their Lamb and Spinach Balti freshly prepared, and sizzling away in a Balti Dish.  It was verging on perfection!  From the first to last mouthful it is perfect in every respect. The seasoning was spot on, as was the amount of heat, and the balance of good quality meat to sauce was spot on too. The flavours of meat were good, and not masked by the sauce. The sauce, by the way, was irony from the spinach, and fresh tasting with coriander. The fresh coriander stalks stirred in at the end added further herby fresh bite. There is also a good tartness balanced with an underlying sweetness, and a lingering garlicness which stayed with me the rest of the day!  The dish looked right, smelt right and tasted right.

Like I say - virtually perfect.

3 included chapatis is all that is needed. Happy days.

Pakeezah Food2Go

Boy we are greedy!  Ordered just a little too much at Pakeezah Food2Go today!

However, walking into Pakeezah Food2Go when feeling hungry, with all the food on show in the counter, the smells and the hustle and bustle, it's easy to get carried away.  So on top of the splendid Samosa Chaats, I had an additional Lamb Shawarma, and Lynda went the whole hog with Lamb Chops on a Naan with all the trimmings!  

Now that's what I call a massive bowl of Samosa Chaat...

Well what can I say?  Brilliant as always.  The Samosa Chaats alone were massive!  But as we know, size isn't everything, and the well documented quality of Pakkezah's Samosa Chaat was much in evidence today. Lashings of chickpea, tamarind and yoghurt smothered the tasty crushed samosas.  The fresh onions, chilli and garam masala garnish added the fresh zing and fire.  It's all things to all men - blow your head of heat one mouthful, cooling yoghurt the next, sour the next, crunchy the next, etc, etc.  A must try I reckon.

Lamb Chops on Naan with all the trimmings.

Once the Chaat was finished off, and already feeling a little pogged, the Chops on Naan arrived!  Four amply proportioned, excellent quality, mouth wateringly freshly grilled, and tasty chops, on an equally freshly tandoored naan, with all the trimming, arrived!  It was fantastic.

Not strictly curry related so won't comment too much on the Shawarma, but it was also excellent. Quite keen on these at the moment, and often have them from a local shop near my work.  They are tasty.

One thing we noticed today more than others was the clientele. For a start, Pakeezah was heaving.  Also, it seemed a place to meet for business as well as just socially.  We noticed boys from Aakash Balti, in vibrant pink polo shirts, and also I'm pretty sure Omar Khan - restaurateur, businessman and one time saviour of Bradford Bull - was in!  They were obviously missing out the middleman and going straight to the source of great VFM Bradford fodder.