Best Authentic Birmingham BALTI - The 5 Golden Rules 🔥

Birmingham has some amazing facts! for 1 - The Balti!! You can buy it at most South Asian restaurants BUT is it a REAL Balti?
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RECIPE
Base Gravy 200ml (link to recipe in comments)
veg oil as required
Ginger garlic paste 2 tbsp
onions 1
green pepper 1/2
green chilli to taste
turmeric 2/3 tsp
Garam Masala 2/3 tsp
Kasuri methi 2/3 tsp
extra hot chilli powder to taste
chilli flakes to taste
fresh coriander - a little for garnish
juliennes of ginger for garnish
A main ingredient of your choice but make sure it's PRECOOKED

[@PeteMel1875]

Great video, I haven't used my Balti pan for a while so that's a good reason to get it back out! 👍

[@daze1945]

Fantastic Steve. Must get more balti bowls.

[@neilsmith7547]

Great video Steve. Ive got 2 Birmingham balti bowls. Always use them. Food always taste great in them and so quick like yours. Neighbour's are always asking for a balti and I make fresh naan like you. Your balti looked absolutely delicious Steve. 😃👍💥

[@steveparadox1]

Great video. 👍 One other distinct feature I have noticed with Birmingham Balti curries, is the extensive use of fresh tomatoes rather than tomato paste

[@keithlindsey1589]

omg i did this the other day it was one of the best yet

[@paulmccarville8623]

The first one I went to was Azim on Lozells Rd. The first time I went there I was on a trip back home from the USA and I ate 2 chicken balti's (and I don't have a big appetite) No idea if it's still there. I remember trying Shabab and I always thought Azim's was better. Likely because that was the first Balti that I ever had so it set the benchmark!

[@SainiBadwalUSA]

amazing recipe

[@markvincent5241]

Awesome mate

[@JonWhitton]

Awesome

[@Mike_5]

BBIR - Birmingham British Indian Recipes for sure here and World Class

[@StevenHeapRecipes]

Thanks Mike 👍

[@ismailvincenttivincentti198]

Now THAT'S a Balti 😉😘 I'm see videos where people are using yogurt, mustard seeds etc.

[@christiancox9614]

Brilliant video, thank you. I visited Birmingham last year in search of the Balti Triangle. Sadly, not much of it remains, but I visited an amazing restaurant called Shababs. Definitely recommend it to anyone looking for the authentic Balti experience.

[@StevenHeapRecipes]

Thanks

[@kiranpatel6521]

Kitchen looks class mate. Going to tell us who in Birmingham built it as need mine touching up!

[@StevenHeapRecipes]

It was a big task. Tiles, equipment, plumbing, electricians, cladding. Not quite finished yet. I've a video all about how I set the kitchen up from scratch. About 2 months back

[@GG-cx7bl]

Jow dropped 😊in Birmingham

[@keithlindsey1589]

brilliant steve love it

[@StevenHeapRecipes]

Another Balti coming up tonight Keith👍

[@FoodieMeatsFood]

Great video! I was lucky enough to visit adils before it closed. It’s such a shame it’s not there anymore. Your version definitely looks a good replica though!

[@StevenHeapRecipes]

Thanks. You also have some great videos 👍

[@FoodieMeatsFood]

@@StevenHeapRecipes thank you sir 😊

[@michaelaeyley1812]

just seasoning my balti dishes, and I look forward to cooking with them. Thanks for the video, and greetings from Cov

[@sarahk69]

Also from Cov 😂

[@sarahk69]

Also from cov 😂

[@ismailvincenttivincentti198]

1 under 10 mins 2 fresh onion 3 kauri methi, garam massage & haldi 4 cooked & served in a balti pan 5 veg oil

[@shababsbaltibirmingham1384]

Are you a chef?

[@paulsymeou3235]

Really good a little bit too hot for me but the method which can obviously be tweaked accordingly to personal taste is bang on!! I shall definitely watch your videos again..

[@StevenHeapRecipes]

Thanks Paul

[@dudestyle01]

I been making BIR curries for a few years, but a certainly wouldn't claim to be an expert. But that is the thickest base I have ever seen usec, when I use it it is close to skimmed milk consistancy

[@StevenHeapRecipes]

Can't vouch for other channels because I don't watch any but I have learnt from people in the industry going back to 1990. I've never been too conscious about the thickness within reason

[@stevemee6640]

TBQH Steve I was never that big on Adil's - Saleem's was always top for me and mine. That's shut now, but Saleem's brother Rafiq has opened Abdul's (named for their father - what a character!) just opposite Hall Green station on the Stratford road. I went yesterday after more than a year away, and it was like a taste of home - so many memories in one delicious sauce! Give it a go - and give Raf my best if you're there. (Tesco just across the road if you want alcohol, though the red sauce with the onions is intoxicating enough!!)

[@StevenHeapRecipes]

Thanks Steve, I'll pay them a visit before long. Cheers for the recommendation 👍

[@mrandrewhowell]

Had a look at their website and the menu looks authentic. Simple and reassuring. I’m visiting Birmingham soon but on a Monday and they will be closed. Any other suggestions, please?

[@mrandrewhowell]

Abdul's looks great... real authentic balti house... but is closed on a Monday and I want a balti this evening, where is next best? I'm in town and it's a balti emergency!

[@StevenHeapRecipes]

Here's the link to make the base gravy; kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGOxpKaIZc-WZ5o

[@analogdistortion]

I don't see the vid you mentioned kzbin.infovideos

[@StevenHeapRecipes]

@@analogdistortion kzbin.info/www/bejne/qYO6faGvgplsprM

[@Chef2866]

No tomato paste mix gone in? Quite a nice balti restaurant near me in Stoke, called ‘Sangam’s 1’ if your ever in the area!

[@StevenHeapRecipes]

Good point, the base gravy has quite a bit of tomatoes in but of course could add some more for the dish

[@rickspence979]

Are those bowls from the Birmingham Balti Co.? Yours looks bigger than mine. Mine seem to be just for one person - is that correct? If so can you get a bigger one? It's a PITA to make two separate ones. Love your cooker by the way.

[@StevenHeapRecipes]

Thanks Rick, no these aren't branded and are bigger yes. A rare find, brand new in a charity shop for £1 each some years back.

[@GG-cx7bl]

Oh my god

[@chrisyoung8714]

Unfortunately the Birmingham Balti Triangle is no more. There's only really Shabab's unless you head to Stirchley for the restaurant on The Pershore Rd.

[@StevenHeapRecipes]

Yes, it's been the end of an era for a while now. I've been to 'Babs 4 times and had the trots twice so I personally don't event count it. Desi pubs are all the range now and so many of them all of a sudden.

[@dilipkumarpatel8313]

What is the composition of the base sauce.

[@StevenHeapRecipes]

Oil, onions, ginger, garlic, tomatoes and mild spicing

[@MrTonyHeath]

what is the base gravy?

[@StevenHeapRecipes]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGOxpKaIZc-WZ5o

[@chriscoughlan5221]

well i´ll be going to brum for just 5 days in 1st week of november, i havent been there since pre-covid in jan 2020. wheres the best place for a balti??? and not too pricey? I used to go to Diwan, balsall heath most of the time about 18yrs ago.

[@StevenHeapRecipes]

Diwan is good. David Cameron had his 46th birthday there and there's a balti named after him there.

[@StevenHeapRecipes]

If you don't mind missing meat, you could try my new company Soulful Vegan if you are staying in the delivery range. www.soulfulvegan.co.uk Lots of great curries 🍛 and easy on the pocket

[@shababsbaltibirmingham1384]

Would be fair to say SHABABS!

[@chriscoughlan5221]

@@StevenHeapRecipes I take it you don't have a place to sit??

[@chriscoughlan5221]

That was For Steven heap

[@bryanprilliman1044]

yehaw

[@mrandrewhowell]

Why have so many Balti restaurants closed? I used to come up to Birmingham on a weekly basis just to have a Balti in the early 90s when you’d be hard pushed to spend more than around £7 (including starter) and before Balti houses cropped up in every town in the Midlands and were never as good…

[@StevenHeapRecipes]

Such a shame. I'm lucky I moved to Birmingham 6 years ago and got to enjoy some if them before they closed

[@mrandrewhowell]

@@StevenHeapRecipes If I want that authentic balti experience tonight, where should I go?

[@sidkhan7297]

You missed the tomatoes out mate

[@malbig2344]

what were the rules?

[@StevenHeapRecipes]

Cooked in vegetable oil rather than ghee for a “cleaner” taste Cooked fast over a high gas flame in under 10 minutes Cooked using turmeric, methi (fenugreek) and garam masala (while each individual chef and restaurant may add their own preferred spices) plus fresh ginger and garlic puree, Cooked in a thin pressed steel Balti Served in the dish it has been cooked in (usually with fresh coriander and naan to be eaten with the fingers).

[@malbig2344]

@@StevenHeapRecipes thankyou.

[@bobbymac1319]

why did dills close?

[@StevenHeapRecipes]

Over lockdown

[@bobbymac1319]

@@StevenHeapRecipes what a tragedy 😥

[@StevenHeapRecipes]

@@bobbymac1319 very much 😔

[@tonybuk70]

I think "I am the king Balti is still going, that was always a great choice after Adils

[@StevenHeapRecipes]

Closed a while back I think Tony 🤔

[@shababsbaltibirmingham1384]

Thats closed! Shababs still going!!

[@Shandar7086]

Balti Pickle

[@StevenHeapRecipes]

No hear of that

[@darrennock701]

No tomato's in this ?

[@StevenHeapRecipes]

Plenty in the base gravy but of course add some more if you like.

[@darrennock701]

@@StevenHeapRecipes thanks for replying Steven. Just made this and found it lacking in taste. Had to add plenty of sugar and salt.

[@StevenHeapRecipes]

Salt is always to personal preference

[@andyquelch662]

Do I recognize that wooden spoon? 🤣👍

[@StevenHeapRecipes]

Oh Yes Andy 👍 👍

[@andyquelch662]

Nice one 👍 looks like it's fairing up well 😊💪

[@StevenHeapRecipes]

Yes it's a really nice spoon mate. Thanks for making it for me

[@masonqureshi5217]

I’m not convinced Adil’s restaurant was the first, or indeed was there for the birth of the Balti!!!

[@StevenHeapRecipes]

Yes I agree, it's all a bit shrouded in mystery. I think Adil's had their bowls manufactured by a company in Smethwick but I know there used to be a lot of Balti restaurants on the Triangle that have disappeared over the decades. Interesting topic.

[@Phuc_Yhou]

Most people have a local that says their balti is the "original birthplace" with a similar story 😂

[@masonqureshi5217]

@@Phuc_YhouI agree. Although it is actually documented that my late father pioneered the balti!

[@Phuc_Yhou]

@@masonqureshi5217 who was he and which restaurant?

[@dannycrankovich]

Overcooked the prawns...rookie error

[@StevenHeapRecipes]

I cook fresh prawns that size for around 3 minutes. No rookies here. This recipe got through on MasterChef 👍

[@dannycrankovich]

@StevenHeapRecipes the judges were obviously being kind. 3mins for small prawns is overcooking them.

[@StevenHeapRecipes]

The people that criticise never offer advice 😒

[@dannycrankovich]

​@StevenHeapRecipes other than cooking small prawns for 3mins is overcooking them?

[@jiensuyang3915]

So food from Indian subcontinent but u r giving it a British name? Why?

[@StevenHeapRecipes]

Google Balti

[@Nimmy..]

Akbars

[@davidvintner8026]

There’s a decent balti. restaurant in Coventry. Nicer food reasonably priced,