Finding inspiration in Asian uk

 Living in London I am pretty spoilt for choice when it comes to eating spicy food.  Having visited Brick Lane on numerous occasions I can say that some of the curries there take some beating.  Spice shopping is also well catered for as there are many Indian and Pakistani supermarkets, cheap too!!  I often get asked where I buy my spices,  and the answer is usually one of the larger supermarkets but I never miss the opportunity to stock up when I visit an area like this.  Massive bags of cumin, turmeric, coriander powder as well as the not so easily available Kashmiri Chilli powder, Black cumin seeds etc etc.

My local curry house is Penge Masala in SE London, you will usually find me here on a Wednesday night for their 5 course buffet.  It is here also where I get some of my inspiration, like the recently added Lamb Podina on my Youtube channel.  My favourite curry from this restaurant and one I order without saying a word.  The waiter knows my order before I take my seat, I just give the nod.

I used to frequent "Crystal Palace Tandoori", a fabulous little restaurant that only remained open for around 3 years, due to intense competition and flailing custom, they closed.  There goes my favoured Lamb Jaal Mal. A super tasty dish that I always ordered when visiting. 

One of the things I love about eating in Indian restaurants is the way the food is served.  The sizzle of Tandoori chicken on an iron sizzler.  Copper bowls full of Madras.  Steaming Karahi curry served in the Balti bowl (karahi).  The little pickle trays at the start and not forgetting the beautiful crispy naans that come hanging served in EastZEast, Manchester (Pictured Below) 

I may open an online shop soon selling some of these things like copper bowls, sizzler trays, etc etc basically, all things Indian restaurant so you can have an authentic BIR night at home.  What do you think? Something you would be interested in buying?  Drop me a line and let me know.

The Birmingham triangle is a great place too, very similar to Southall, but with a vast amount to choose from in the way of eating out.  They even lay claim to being the home of the Balti, who am I to say otherwise!!  The last time I visited I ended up having lunch in a Lebanese place, weird ahh.  Thats me !!!  I was drawn to the place as I could smell meat cooking on hot coals.  I think my Mediterranean blood was calling out and all of a sudden I forgot about all the Indian food that I travelled there for.  I had a massive lunch consisting of Chicken Kebab, houmous, Lahmacun (Turkish flatbread with Lamb and Tomato mince....yummy.  

I really must put some of these recipes on Al's Kitchen.  I love Mediterranean food and feel that it is quite underatted.  Maybe time to try and change all that.   

If you have just found my site and enjoy it, please subscribe to my Youtube channel and join my ever growing family of food lovers!!

​Al