Traditional Birmingham Balti 🍛🔥
The Birmingham Balti is a classic dish rooted in the city's rich culinary history, inspired by South Asian flavours but uniquely British. Cooked quickly in a "balti" pan, this spicy, fragrant curry is full of tender chicken, peppers, and aromatic spices—best enjoyed with fresh naan bread.
Ingredients:
For the Balti Curry:
🍗 Chicken breast: 500g, diced into bite-sized pieces
🧅 Onion: 1 large, finely chopped
🫑 Red bell pepper: 1, chopped
🧄 Garlic: 3 cloves, crushed
🌶️ Fresh ginger: 2cm piece, grated
🍅 Chopped tomatoes: 400g tin
🫗 Tomato puree: 1 tablespoon
🌿 Fresh coriander: A handful, chopped
Spices:
🧂 Ground cumin: 1 teaspoon
🌶️ Ground coriander: 1 teaspoon
🍛 Turmeric: 1/2 teaspoon
🔥 Chilli powder: 1 teaspoon (adjust to taste)
🧂 Garam masala: 1 teaspoon
🥄 Paprika: 1 teaspoon
For cooking:
🫒 Vegetable oil: 3 tablespoons
🫗 Water: 100ml (to adjust the sauce consistency)
🧂 Salt: to taste
To Serve:
🥖 Naan bread: warmed
🍚 Steamed rice: optional
Method:
🔥 Heat the oil:
Place a large balti pan (or wok) over medium-high heat. Add the vegetable oil and allow it to heat through.
🧄 Cook the aromatics:
Add the chopped onion and sauté for 5–7 minutes until soft and golden. Stir in the garlic and ginger and cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
🍗 Add the chicken:
Add the diced chicken and cook, stirring often, until it’s lightly browned on all sides.
🌶️ Add the spices:
Sprinkle in the ground cumin, coriander, turmeric, paprika, and chilli powder. Stir well to coat the chicken in the spices and cook for 1–2 minutes.
🍅 Make the sauce:
Pour in the chopped tomatoes, tomato puree, and 100ml of water. Stir to combine everything and bring to a simmer.
🫑 Add the peppers:
Toss in the red bell pepper and let the curry cook for another 10–15 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked, the sauce thickens, and the oil rises to the surface.
🌿 Finish with garam masala and coriander:
Stir in the garam masala and fresh coriander, then season to taste with salt.
🥘 Serve:
Serve the Balti hot in the pan, alongside fluffy naan bread for scooping up the rich, spicy sauce.
Serving Information:
⏱ Prep Time: 10 minutes | ⏳ Cooking Time: 25 minutes
🍴 Servings: 4
🔥 Calories: ~300 per serving (without naan)
Tips:
🔥 For an authentic kick, add fresh green chillies alongside the spices.
🍋 Squeeze a little fresh lemon juice over the curry for extra zing.
🫗 Adjust the consistency of the sauce by adding more water if you prefer it thinner.
This quick, bold, and delicious curry is a true Birmingham gem, loved for its vibrant flavours and no-fuss cooking style. Pair it with naan or rice for the ultimate British curry night experience! 🍛✨