Lal Bagh's 'Chef Of The Year' Announces Aphrodisiac Valentine's Menu
Lal Bagh
Tandoori in Bushey, a double award winner in the recent Asian Curry Awards has
announced a new menu featuring lighter, healthier ghee and oil free dishes,
reflecting the change in customer dining patterns.
Owner Martin
Miah has also revealed that the 40-seater Chalk Hill restaurant will be serving
a special Valentine’s menu with dishes utilising Indian spices noted for their
aphrodisiac qualities.
At the
prestigious Asian Curry Awards held before Christmas at a glittering ceremony
at Grosvenor House Hotel on London’s Park Lane, attended by over 1000 leading
Asian restaurateurs, VIPs and embassy dignitaries, Lal Bah won the ‘Asian &
Oriental Chef of the Year – London Suburbs’ category at of Asian Curry Awards 2013. The Chalk Hill favourite also received a
Highly Commended Award in the ‘Best South Asian Restaurant - London Suburbs’.
The evening
was hosted by Sky TV’s Lukwesa Burak with Prime Minister David Cameron and
Deputy PM Nick Clegg both delivering messages of support by video link to the
nation’s 35,000 Asian caterers. Her
Majesty the Queen also sent a message of support. Awards were presented by high
profile guests including Secretary of State the Rt Hon Eric Pickles, MP.
Lal Bagh was
honoured at awards because of their, “Stylish presentation, with delicately
flavoured mouth watering dishes, and superb silky sauces, using the finest and
freshest ingredients available,” according to Asian Curry Awards Chairman,
Yawar Khan.
On Friday and
Saturday 14th and 15th November, Lal Bagh will serve a special menu where the
dishes contain Indian herbs and spices known for their aphrodisiac properties,
priced at £59.50 per couple. The
3-course Valentine’s menu comprises King Prawn Special and Lamb Mono to start;
main dishes of Ginger Chicken Pepper Fry and Tava Chicken; with Sag Chana and
Bombay Aloo side dishes, accompanied by Pilau rice and a plain Nan bread; a
choice of two desserts plus a bottle of rosé white.
Recognising
the change in customer dinning patterns, away from heavier curries following a
lengthy session, Lal Bagh is redesigning its menu in response to the latest
customer-led trends in Indian dining.
“All
restaurants need to move with them times and we update our menus every year,”
said Lal Burgh head chef Abdul Mutakin, adding, “We will shorten the menu to
maintain the highest quality cooking standards, but will keep customers’
favourite dishes, whilst introducing more fine dining options.
Lal Bagh will
shortly announce a monthly lunchtime Curry Club for local business owners to
network with a fixed price “office friendly” menu of lighter dishes.
Aphrodisiacs
in Indian cookery: Celery contains the
male hormone androsterone and is thought to stimulate female libido as do
carrots and fennel. Onions and garlic
have such effect on the sex drive that they are forbidden in Brahman cooking.
Ashwagandha, “the king” of Indian herbs,
effects the reproductive and nervous systems and boosts energy.
Basil is said
to stimulate circulation, boost fertility and producing a general sense of well
being. Rasam, a South Indian sea food extract contains zinc, known to boost
male potency and stimulate female desire.
Asafoetida, widely regarded in India as an aphrodisiac, has compared
favourably in laboratory studies with sildenafil, better known by the brand
name Viagra. Ginger is mentioned in Chapter 7 of the Karma Sutra which
maintains that success in love can be improved by “aphrodisiacs, herbs, and
spells.
In Chinese
medicine, coriander is renowned for its mystical aphrodisiac potency and is
used in love potions. In Arab culture nutmeg has been used to treat digestive
problems and is also been valued as an aphrodisiac. Hindus embraced the spice
for its more sensual properties as a stimulant and raising body heat,
sweetening breath and acting as a mild sedative. Coconut and tamarind seeds are
also thought to improve sexual potency and fertility. Betel leaf is prescribed by ancient Ayurvedic
physicians as an aphrodisiac for its invigorating properties and is used as
form a part of the ritual with which a wife welcomes her new husband.
Cardamom
contains at least two androgenic compounds. It shows up as the best source of
the compound cineole. Cineole is a central nervous system stimulant, and people
have a way of thinking that any stimulation is sexual stimulation. Traditionally revered for its “magical
property” of enhancing “lust”. Modern science shows that saffron is
capable of affecting the brain’s neurotransmitters, and acting as a soothing
relaxant capable, lowering blood pressure and stimulating the respiration,
releasing the body’s natural pheromones.
Open 7 days a
week: Sunday to Thursday 12:00noon to 2:30pm & 6:00pm to 11:30pm, Friday
& Saturday evenings: 5:30pm until 11:30pm
Sunday Buffet
12 noon to 5:00pm £6.95 (Children £3.95).
Tal Bagh Tandoori, 7 Chalk Hill, Bushey, Hertfordshire WD19 4BL
T: 01923 219150 E: info@lalbaghtandoori.co.uk Tw: @lalbaghtandoor
The Asian
Curry Awards are a joint initiative from the Federation of Bangladeshi Caterers
and the Asian Caterers Federation which represent over 35,000 restaurants and
takeaways in the UK.
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