Despite its Indian roots curry house favourite Chicken Tikka Masala is actually one of the many dishes that were surprisingly born in Britain.
In fact several British-Indian favourites were made in Britain – including the Balti which is said to originate in Birmingham.
But did you know that a vast smorgasboard of unexpected global food and drink – from fizzy water to the seemingly Italian lasagne – were first created on the British isles?
At MailOnline, we have created a map of these dishes, stretching from Glasgow, the birthplace of the Tikka Masala, to Hampshire, where some have argued the pasta dish lasagne originates.
The very surprising food map of Britain – from Chicken Tikka Masala in Glasgow to lasagne in Hampshire
Ali Ahmed Aslam (pictured, who recently died aged 77, said he invented Chicken Tikka Masala after a customer at his Shish Mahal restaurant in Glasgow complained about the dryness of his meat
Chicken Tikka Masala – Glasgow
The Scottish self-declared inventor of the Chicken Tikka Masala – who claimed he created the British-Indian staple in the 1970s – sadly died this week aged 77.
‘Super’ Ali Ahmed Aslam, 77, said he invented the dish after a customer at his Shish Mahal restaurant in Glasgow complained about the dryness of his meat.
To make the curry more palatable to the customer, legend goes that Mr Ali hastily mixed in a tin of Campbell’s tomato soup and some spices to create what is widely considered Britain’s national dish.
Despite its Indian roots curry house favourite Chicken Tikka Masala is actually one of the many dishes that were surprisingly born in Britain
Mr Ali, pictured in 1979 outside his restaurant, Shish Mahal, which he opened in 1964. He died on Monday and his funeral was held on Tuesday
In 2001, Foreign Secretary Robin cook gave a speech where he hailed the dish as a key symbol of British culture.
‘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
