Aldi shoppers in Scotland can now buy a new 'curry in a pie' range created by two family-run Scottish food businesses. The range, available in all 113 Scottish stores from November 12, combines Indian restaurant-style curry fillings with the pastry of Kilmarnock-based Brownings the Bakers.
Two flavours, one price
The collaboration brings together Glasgow restaurant Mister Singh's India and Brownings the Bakers, which has more than 80 years of baking experience. The range features two flavours: Chicken Bhoona and South Indian Garlic Chilli Chicken, each priced at £4.99 for a pack of two.
Shoppers can choose between a milder, aromatic filling or a spicier option. The Chicken Bhoona pie contains a rich curry sauce with medium spice, while the South Indian Garlic Chilli Chicken pie offers bold garlic, aromatic spices and fiery chilli.
Family heritage in every bite
Brownings was established in 1945, and Mister Singh's India brings 32 years of restaurant heritage to the partnership. The fillings use Mister Singh's restaurant recipes, with the team working alongside Brownings to perfect the texture, sauce consistency and moisture for the pastry. Both businesses went through an extensive sampling and development process to keep the flavours true to the original curries.
Satty Singh, founder of Mister Singh's India, said: "This is a meeting of two Scottish food traditions, bringing together our Indian restaurant heritage and Brownings' baking expertise. From the very first bite customers will enjoy golden, flaky pastry followed by the rich, familiar flavours of a Mister Singh's curry. It's something new, but with a taste that has been part of our family's story for 32 years."
Declan McMahon, managing director of Brownings the Bakers, said: "We've been referring to them as a 'curry in a pie' rather than simply a curry pie, because that's exactly what they are - restaurant-quality curry fillings encased in a Brownings pie."
Pie tester's verdict
Aldi's official pie tester, Craig Duguid, from Kintore, has given the new pies his approval. He was appointed to the role after a nationwide search that attracted hundreds of entries from pie fans.
After trying both curry dishes, he said: "Both pies are absolutely delicious and offer something a little different from your usual curry pie. The pastry is beautifully crisp and flaky, while the fillings are packed with tender, juicy chicken and authentic Indian flavours. The Chicken Bhoona has a lovely balance of spices with a gentle warmth, while the South Indian Garlic Chilli Chicken brings a bolder garlic flavour and a little more heat."
He added: "Having visited India and enjoyed authentic Indian cuisine on many occasions, I can honestly say the flavours took me straight back. Aldi has got these pies spot on. They're two of the nicest curry pies I've tasted and I'd highly recommend both."
