The first image that pops up in a Hindi-speaking person’s mind when they hear the word balti is a bucket and well it is actually that. Now, in India, we are well aware of showers and you would find them installed in various households too. However, the traditional way of taking a bath that still continues to be in use is balti and mug (bucket and mug). That’s the layman understanding of the word. For a food enthusiast, their thoughts might wander into other directions. For instance, in an interview with The Guardian, food historian Madhu Jaffery suggested that balti cuisine is dying slowly.
That’s when it struck me that it’s actually a cuisine too. The origins of this unique cuisine might not be very clear but there have been several speculations about the same. One set of theories claim that this curiously-named cuisine was shaped decades ago in Pakistan’s northern region called Baltistan. The etymology of the Urdu word for bucket, balti points us towards its origins in this area, as suggested in food historian, Pat Chapman’s cookbook called Balti Curry.
Another side of the story states that this cuisine was born in the late 70s and 80s in Birmingham, given the emerging balti houses in the region. The restaurants serving this interesting cuisine are referred to as balti houses and their popularity in this province of U.K. provides a logical explanation for its origins. It is believed that the first balti dish was prepared in a restaurant called Adil’s in Birmingham.
The Significance Of Balti
The balti curry is said to be a signature Pakistani curry, served in a balti-shaped container. The essence of the curry and the cuisine lie in the use of the balti. A wok-like steel container is used for cooking the food and then served in the same. This traditional style of cooking lends the cuisine its name. The authenticity of the Balti cuisine lies in the amalgamation of Arab, Persian, Middle-Eastern and Indian flavours. In Ladakh, the Balti cuisine and Balti language are very common, especially in the Turtuk area.
It is not any ingredient or special spice that adds the unique element to the cuisine but the balti bowl itself. It is also believed that only when original pots (baltis) are used to cook the food can it be termed as a balti dish and not otherwise. This is why people are apprehensive about the authenticity of balti food served all over U.K. today.
What’s In The Balti?
Generally, a balti would contain all the ingredients cooked along with rice. From vegetables to meaty items, anything can be added to the pot yet it is different from the so-called one-pot dishes. The steel woks are dunked with all the items and then cooked till the liquid evaporates. Not just rice, the balti curries are accompanied with naan breads on the side too.
The Baltis have a variety of breads like khoor which are eaten along with sweet and salty tea as well as a sour yoghurt Tsamik dip. They’ve got a delectable Chorbat biryani which spells sheer indulgence, given the authentic Middle-Eastern flavours of the region. There is something called Balti noodles where the long strands of noodles are served with potatoes, peas and herbs. Imagine noodles arriving on your table in a steel wok or balti, wouldn’t that be an interesting sight? On the dessert counter, you would find a fruity and nutty sweet meat called Phading. A decadent combination of apricot, mulberry, apple and honey with a dash of mint for freshness, this dessert in quite popular in Balti cuisine.
If you’ve been intrigued by this cuisine too, here are some Balti dishes that you can try.
1. Balti Paneer
As mentioned earlier, the balti can be filled with anything from veggies to non-vegetarian delicacies. This spicy paneer cooked in a balti will surely melt-in-your-mouth.
2. Chicken Balti Masala
Turn on the spice-o-meter because this fiery chicken balti will blow away your mind. The thick tomato-onion masala is mixed with yoghurt to add creaminess to the rustic chicken masala.
3. Balti Lamb Curry
If lamb is your favourite meat, then this balti lamb curry is for you. What makes this curry so distinct is that fact that lamb is cooked along with chickpeas in the curry.
4. Mushroom and Red Pepper Balti
Another vegetarian delight from Balti cuisine has to be this creamy and smooth mushroom balti. The soft and chunky mushrooms are spruced up with red peppers in a thick yoghurt curry.