I love cooking and writing about food, especially curry. Curry is one of my favorite dishes, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it too. I’ll share with you what are the most important ingredients in curry, how to make your own curry powder, and how to prepare different types of curry from around the world. Let’s get started!
What is Curry?
- Curry is a general term for a dish that consists of a sauce or gravy, usually spiced, and one or more main ingredients, such as meat, vegetables, or legumes.
- The word curry comes from the Tamil word kari, meaning sauce. Curry originated in India, where it has been part of the cuisine for thousands of years.
- There are many types of curry, depending on the region, culture, and personal preference. Some of the most popular ones are Indian, Thai, Japanese, and Jamaican.
Curry Powder
- Curry powder is a blend of spices that is used to flavor curry dishes. It is not a traditional ingredient in Indian cuisine, but rather a British invention that was inspired by Indian spices.
- The key ingredients of curry powder are turmeric, cumin, coriander, and fenugreek. Other spices that may be added are ginger, garlic, chili, mustard, cardamom, clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
- Curry powder is rich in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds, and minerals, such as iron, manganese, and zinc. It may have health benefits, such as lowering blood pressure, improving digestion, and preventing infections.
- To make your own curry powder, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons of turmeric
- 1 tablespoon of cumin seeds
- 1 tablespoon of coriander seeds
- 1 teaspoon of fenugreek seeds
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of black peppercorns
- 1/4 teaspoon of chili flakes
- 4 cardamom pods
- 4 cloves
- 2 bay leaves
- Toast the cumin, coriander, fenugreek, peppercorns, chili, cardamom, and cloves in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, about 10 minutes.
- Transfer the toasted spices to a spice grinder or a mortar and pestle, and grind them to a fine powder. Add the turmeric and salt, and mix well.
- Store the curry powder in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months.
Indian Curry
- Indian curry is based on the principles of Ayurveda, a system of medicine and philosophy that balances the body, mind, and spirit. Indian curry uses a variety of spices, herbs, and aromatics, such as onion, garlic, ginger, and curry leaves, to create complex and harmonious flavors.
- The ingredients used in Indian curry depend on the region, religion, and personal taste. Some of the common ones are chicken, lamb, fish, paneer, potatoes, peas, cauliflower, tomatoes, coconut, yogurt, and cream.
- To make a simple Indian chicken curry, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 1/4 cup of vegetable oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon of ginger, grated
- 2 teaspoons of curry powder
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric
- 1/4 teaspoon of garam masala
- 1/4 teaspoon of paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon of cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon of coriander
- 1/4 teaspoon of fenugreek
- 1/4 teaspoon of cardamom
- 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon of clove
- 4 chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup of chicken broth
- 1/4 cup of heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons of cilantro, chopped
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, garlic, ginger, and all the spices, and cook, stirring frequently, until the onion is soft and golden, about 15 minutes.
- Add the chicken and broth, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce is thickened, about 20 minutes.
- Stir in the cream and cilantro, and serve hot with rice, naan bread, or roti.
Other Types of Curry
- Curry is not only popular in India, but also in many other countries, such as Thailand, Japan, and Jamaica. Each country has its own style and ingredients for making curry, but they all share the common element of a spicy sauce or gravy.
- Some of the ingredients used in other types of curry are coconut milk, curry paste, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, fish sauce, tamarind, palm sugar, soy sauce, sake, mirin, miso, curry roux, allspice, thyme, scotch bonnet peppers, and jerk seasoning .
- To make a simple Thai green curry, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons of green curry paste
- 1 pound of chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 cups of coconut milk
- 1 cup of chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons of fish sauce
- 2 tablespoons of palm sugar
- 1 tablespoon of lime juice
- 2 kaffir lime leaves, torn
- 1/4 cup of Thai basil leaves, chopped
- 1/4 cup of cilantro leaves, chopped
- Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the curry paste and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
- Add the chicken and cook, stirring, until browned, about 10 minutes.
- Add the coconut milk, broth, fish sauce, palm sugar, lime juice, and kaffir lime leaves, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, until the chicken is tender and the sauce is slightly thickened, about 15 minutes.
- Stir in the basil and cilantro, and serve hot with rice or noodles.
Conclusion
Curry is a delicious and versatile dish that can be made with different ingredients and spices. The most important ingredients in curry are the ones that suit your taste and preference. You can experiment with different combinations and create your own signature curry. I hope you enjoyed this article and learned something new about curry. Happy cooking!
FAQ
What is the difference between curry and curry powder?
Curry is a dish that consists of a sauce or gravy, usually spiced, and one or more main ingredients, such as meat, vegetables, or legumes. Also Curry powder is a blend of spices that is used to flavor curry dishes. Curry powder is not a traditional ingredient in Indian cuisine, but rather a British invention that was inspired by Indian spices.
Is curry good for you?
Curry can be good for you, depending on the ingredients and the amount you consume. Curry can provide protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, as well as anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. However, curry can also be high in calories, fat, sodium, and sugar, especially if it is made with cream, coconut milk, oil, or sugar. To make curry healthier, you can use low-fat or non-dairy alternatives, reduce the amount of oil and sugar, and add more vegetables and legumes.
How do you make curry less spicy?
If your curry is too spicy for your liking, you can try to reduce the heat by adding more liquid, such as water, broth, coconut milk, yogurt, or cream. You can also add some sugar, honey, or lime juice to balance the spiciness. Another option is to add some dairy products, such as yogurt, sour cream, or cheese, to your plate, and eat them with your curry. Dairy products can help to neutralize the capsaicin, the compound that makes chili peppers hot.
