Popular Dishes

25/1/21

Written By Anika Akthar

Popular Indian Curries from The Shanaz Menu

Throughout the years, curries have slowly risen to be some of the most popular dishes among Britons. Whether that is a quick takeaway or dining in, there is no doubt that the curry industry has made its mark on the British public. Perhaps it’s the versatility of Indian food. Spices can be adjusted to suit your taste and colours can be muted or vibrant depending on the dish of choice. The Shanaz provides a variety of curries that suit every palate. Although the menu has had slight changes throughout the years, we at The Shanaz have found some of the more popular dishes which are loved by our guests. Here are some of them. See if you can spot your favourite.

Chicken Tikka Masala

Hailed with the title of being Britain’s national dish, Chicken Tikka Masala is one of the most

ordered dishes at The Shanaz. Unlike other menu options, this dish hails all the way from…

Britain. That’s right! Considered to be one of the first Indian fusion meals, chicken tikka

masala was crafted by some of the earlier Bengali restauranteurs who had come over to

Britain. Considered to be closely related to Butter Chicken, a Chicken Tikka Masala consists

of tender pieces of chicken marinated in a blend of yogurt and spices, skewered, and

roasted in a tandoor oven. A creamy sauce is then drizzled over the top. This is the perfect

choice for those who enjoy the distinct seasonings of Indian cooking while also preferring a

softer flavouring to their meal.

Sag Aloo

Another popular option in our customers order is Sag Aloo. This dish consists of spinach and

potatoes (the direct translation of sag aloo), sauteed in caramelised onions and garlic. Indian

cuisine may seem complicated for some with the number of spices, cooking techniques and

ingredients. However, it’s the simplicity of the sag aloo that really popularises the dish. You

can easily dial up the spice on this meal and have some fiery chilli’s added to amp up your

tastebuds. Meat options can also be added to this dish for that extra bite. Whether you

upgrade or keep it simple, Sag Aloo will always be a staple in many orders.

Rogan Josh

Originating from the Kashmiri hills, Rogan Josh consists of slow cooked lamb braised in a

flavoursome sauce. An aromatic blend of spices, garlic and ginger are also added to enhance

the flavours and give a salivating smell. This is a slightly spicier dish with crushed chillies at

the heart of the ingredients. This is a great meal for those cold winter evenings. The sauce

combined with the melt-in-your-mouth lamb along with various flavours will warm your soul

up in its own special way. A Rogan Josh goes perfectly with a side of rice.

Korma

Hailing all the way back to the Mughal Empire, it is said that Korma’s were cooked in the

Mughal courts to celebrate special occasions. Identifiable by its paler colour in comparison

to other curries, this is one of the sweeter options on the menu. It’s characterised by its

tender chunks of chicken in a creamy coconutty sauce. The sauce itself is infused with

sweet-smelling spices from bay leaves to cardamoms and combined with ghee (clarified

butter) to add extra flavour. The chicken pieces are first briefly seared and then cooked in

the thick gravy on a low and slow heat, giving it that soft and tender bite. The Urdu word for

‘qorma’ translates to braised, which is the technique used to cook this dish.

This is a great choice for those who prefer a milder but equally flavoursome curry.

Tarka Dal

A staple in Indian cuisine, Dal is a dish of lentils, simmered and infused with onions and

various spices. Lentils come in multiple shapes and sizes from yellow split peas, red lentils

(perhaps the two most commonly used in dal), black lentils and many more variants.

Different restaurants have their own style of making this hearty dish. At The Shanaz, our

signature dal dish is thick in consistency to give you that extra bite. Add rice or naan as a

side and you have yourself a warm and hearty meal.

Vindaloo

One of the spiciest dishes on our menu, Vindaloo is a fusion dish stemming from the

Portuguese cuisine. Originating from the seaports of Goa, Vindaloo consists of meat

marinated in vinegar, fresh ginger, and lots of spices. This then cooked with further spices

and potatoes for a juicy, flavourful, and well-rounded meal. The dried red chillies are

marinated in vinegar to enhance to give it a further kick, further enhancing those classic

vindaloo flavours. This dish is to be taken seriously though as it’s not for the faint-hearted.

Vindaloo is best served with a side of rice or naan for an enjoyable meal.

Jalfrezi

Another popular dish on the menu, Jalfrezi comes all the way from Bangladesh. Translating

to “hot” (jal) and “fried” (frezi), this dish is slightly different to all of the other curries on our

menu. A Jalfrezi is a quickly stir-fried method of cooking on high heat. The Shanaz offer this

dish with either chicken, lamb, prawns, or vegetables. This is a versatile dish where you can

intensify the heat to your satisfaction.

All of these dishes and many more can be adjusted to your spice levels and dietary

requirements.

If you would like to find out more about our dishes, then please check out our menu.