<
Did you know...? CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA is now a true British national dish, not only because it is the most popular, but because it is a perfect illustration of the way Britain absorbs and adapts external influences. Chicken Tikka is an Indian dish. The Massala sauce was added to satisfy the desire of British people to have their meat served in gravy. ”
Now I´m going to write about the history of this peculiar food???
Britain's obsession with curry began with the "raj1" in India, resulting in the first known (but short lived) British curry house opening in Marylebone in 1809 to serve food to returning sevants of the East India Company who had aquired the taste. This interest was reinforced by post war immigration from the sub-continent, which turned curry into a £3 billion a year industry (2005). In the early days "a curry" was something to eat after the pubs closed (see Keith Floyds account) but things have now gladly matured and most restaurants offer good food to customers looking for more than some "grub" after the "pub". Indeed "Chicken Tikka Masala" a British curry, has overtaken fish and chips as the nations favourite meal and curry accounts for 2/3rds of all eating out.
