Refacescotland.com Kitchens – Refaced my Kitchen

Refacescotland.com Kitchens – Refaced my Kitchen

In my kitchen making a coffee I opened the cupboard door only for it to break for the second time that week. While basically in functioning order some of the unit doors are loose and are certainly looking dated these days. Enough is enough time to do something about it. To replace a kitchen can cost serious money and I just couldn’t afford that so after some research I discovered the perfect solution Reface Scotland.

With just a simple phone call to Reface Scotland, one of their representatives came over a couple of days later and listened to what I was looking for, replacement unit doors, a new worktop, new tiles and some improved lighting. My appliances and sink are fairly new so no need to update them, but they could it just depends on your requirements. I chose some styles I liked from their broad range of both traditional and contemporary styles and with some advice came to a final decision. The guy was very helpful, not at all pushy and certainly didn’t outstay his welcome. Within a couple of days I received a competitively priced design solution which I was more than pleased with, so much cheaper than buying a whole new kitchen.

Two weeks later the work was done. The installers were knowledgeable and I’m thrilled with the final result. At last I have the look I have always wanted but thought I could never afford. The quality is beyond my wildest dreams and the details from tiling to door handles are superb and really give that designer look.

I would wholeheartedly recommend Reface Scotland for the superb quality and service I received. They also design bedrooms so that’s my next project sorted!

A Quick Guide to Indian Cuisine

Indian Cuisine – A Quick Guide

Indian cuisine, one of the world’s most ancient and evolved cuisines, is characterised by its sophisticated fusion of herbs and spices. Vegetarian dishes play a major role in authentic Indian cooking, though many traditional recipes include chicken, fish, beef, lamb and goat.



Indian Cuisine – Geographical Variations

1. North Indian Cuisine
   Dairy products such as yoghurt, paneer (cheese), milk and ghee are all typical ingredients in Northern Indian cuisine. Aromatic saffron, chillies and nuts are also often added to the mix. A large coal fuelled cylindrical oven known as a ‘tandoor’ is used to bake naan bread, and cook tandoori chicken.
   
   
2. South Indian Cuisine
   The flavours of South India are characterised by the use of milder spices (as opposed to the stronger spices of Northern Indian Cuisine), with a greater emphasis on the use of rice, and liberal use of curry leaves, and coconut.
   
   
3. Indian Cuisine in the East
   Eastern India is renowned for its sweet dishes which are now popular throughout the entire country. Not surprisingly the coastal states of West Bengal and Orissa are home to some fine fish and seafood dishes.
   
   
4. Indian Cuisine in the West
   Many parts of Western India such as Gujarat and Rajasthan have a hot dry climate. These climate conditions means less vegetables are available. Due to the relative scarcity of fresh veg, chutneys and pickles are a popular way of preserving vegetables in these regions. Many people in these North West regions are Hindu, so vegetarian recipes play a predominant role in local cuisine. Further to the South, the lush coastline of Goa with its good supply of fresh fish, is home to some of India’s finest seafood dishes.

Indian Cuisine Takes the UK by Storm

With curry being voted as Britain’s favourite dish in a recent Gallup poll, the growing international popularity of Indian cuisine is unquestioned.

Who would have thought Fish and Chips would have been knocked off the menu by an Indian dish? From London to Glasgow, the message is clear – curry is King! So established is Indian cuisine in the UK, that some even argue the Indian curry is now very much a part of British culture.


Indian Cuisine Finds a New Home – Glasgow

Each year UK cities battle it out in the ‘Curry Capital of Britain’ awards. This year, the Scottish city of Glasgow was awarded the title of ‘Curry King’ after being voted as home to some of the best Indian restaurants in the country. Award winning restaurants such as the Dhabba located in Glasgow’s Merchant City abound, serving up authentic North Indian cuisine in trendy and sophisticated environments. Glasgow looks set to take Indian cuisine into the 21st century.

Indian Restaurants Glasgow

1) The Dhabba, 44 Candleriggs, Glasgow, G1 1LE, Tel: 0141 553 1730

The Dhabba
has only been around for a few years yet in a short space of time it has managed to establish itself as one of the top Indian restaurants in Glasgow.

The Dhabba is to be found in Merchant City serving up authentic north Indian cuisine in super trendy surroundings. With its mosaic walls and generally slick appearance, it's possibly one of the trendiest curry houses in Glasgow.

Once you've taken in the surroundings - check out the food. Not surprisingly the food is sophisticated and refined - no dyed pink chickens to be found at this curry house! My recommendation to first time visitors would be to try out the Talli Hui Masala Machli, this is monk fish marinated in spices, fried in an onion and tomato sauce. If you don't know what to order, I found the waiters particularly helpful - ask for some advice and they'll put you right. The Dhabba chefs even invite diners into the kitchens to watch them prepare the food!

http://www.thedhabba.com
















2) The Ashoka, 108 Elderslie Street, Glasgow, G3 7AR, Tel: 0141 221 1761

The Ashoka on Elderslie Street isn't part of the Harlequin restaurant chain - it's an independent Indian diner which was one of the restaurants representing Glasgow in the 2006 Curry Capital Awards. Diners at the Ashoka are met by a team of waiters kitted out in Scottish kilts - a real blend of Scottish/Indian culture! Downstairs, the restaurant even has a room dedicated to curry karaoke nights - how cool is that!?

Karaoke entertainment aside, the food at the Ashoka is great - they offer a Parsee menu which consists of dishes once reserved for Moghul courts. The Ashoka is proud of the fact that they don't use any food colourings in their dishes which is always a good thing. Don't forget to check out the shark steak for £11.95!



















3) Mother India, 28 Westminster Terrace, Glasgow, G3 7RU, Tel: 0141 221 1663

Mother India is a stones throw away from Kelvingrove Park. Its at the top of the Glasgow Curry House league yet still has a relaxed atmosphere - even though it's a licensed restaurant, you can even bring your own beer or wine (no spirits however)!

The menu at Mother India warns that there may be a slight wait for food - but don't worry it's worth it (Nick Nairn counts Mother India as one of his favourites.)

I suggest that you try out the spiced haddock, and fruit kebabs should you give Mother India a visit.
















4) Shish Mahal, 66-68 Park Road, Glasgow, G4 9JF, Tel: 0141 334 7899

The Shish Mahal is supposedly one of the restaurants that kicked off the Glasgow curry scene - it was established over 40 years ago. The Shish Mahal claims that their Lamb Bhoona has a taste so addictive, it should be classified as a 'class A' drug - that is quite a claim! Portions are generous, and some items on the menu are unusual e.g. Lamb handi Pakistani kalichain, an combination of marinated egg, lamb, garlic, onion, tomato and diced chunks of whole lemon!
















5) The Dakhin, 89 Candleriggs, Glasgow, G1 1 NP, Tel: 0141 553 2585

The Dakhin is the sister restaurant of the nearby Dhabba - both of them are a few minutes walk from each other in the trendy Merchant City. The Dakhin specializes in south Indian cuisine (as opposed to north Indian cuisine found at the Dhabba.) The place has a more basic feel than the Dhabba - but still a very pleasant place to eat. As for the food - its great, south Indian cuisine is more subtle than north Indian with milder spices being used. You won't be familiar with many of the offerings on the Dakhin's menu which makes it ideal for the adventurous! If you do pay the Dakhin a visit, check out the Peeta Dosa - crab meat with lentils in an onion/tomato masala served up in a dosa (a crepe made of fine ground rice.)