Curry Spice Cuisine Favorites

Delicious Curry Spice Blend

Curry is a powder spice mix originating from British India not to be confused with the native spice mix garam masala.  In Western usage a curry dish made with gravy or sauce seasoned with a mixture of ground spices is thought to have originated in India.  Curry is a sauce seasoned with a variety of spices associated with South Asian cuisine as the curry leaves may be included. There are many varieties of popular curries including green, red, yellow massaman and panang curry.  The choice of spices for each dish depends on regional traditional cuisine depending on regional cultural preferences for each dish.  Curry is also a term used for a general variety of spicy dishes usually associated with Indian, Thai, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Nepali, Malaysian, Indonesian cuisine. The foundation for many Indian curries is a mixture of garlic, onion, and ginger.  That base is flavored with several spices typically including cloves, cinnamon, cumin, coriander, fennel seed, cardamom, mustard seed, black pepper, red cayenne pepper, and turmeric which imparts the yellowish characteristic color of curry lightly toasted and nelly ground spice mix. 

Other popular ingredients may include curry leaves, anise, poppy seed, nutmeg, mace, chilies, and bay leaves.  Each region of the country has its own unique curry flavor profile depending on the traditional cuisine of personal preferences.  Outside the Indian subcontinent a common curry dish in Southeast Asia uses coconut milk or spice pastes to make Thai Curry Coconut Soup often poured over rice.  Among Indian cooks the balance of flavors varies considerably depending on the region, the particular dish and preferences of the cook as a spice mixture called curry powder was adopted by British settlers in India.  Commercial curry powders recreate popular spice flavors of Indian cuisine.  On Pinterest curry recipes vary in complexity flavors and spice blend complement any dish cooked to perfection including favorites like One Pot Vegetable Curry, Coconut Chicken Thai Curry, Paneer & Tomato Curry with flatbread, Chicken Tikka Masala, Chickpea Potato Curry, and 30-minute Red Curry Coconut Chicken.

Commercially prepared Curry spice blends are available online or at your local grocer where food is sold.  Happy Belly Curry Powder Red Pepper spice blend of turmeric, salt paprika, and natural flavorings is ground from dried red fruits of the large, sweeter varieties of the red bell pepper or sweet peppers selections, It is kosher certified American brand to be used with chicken, pork, beef, marinades, and dressings.  In traditional Indian cooking the spice mixture referred to as masala are typically prepared at home often blended with liquid such as vinegar or water to make a curry paste, Vegetarian curries of southern India is seasoned with sambar Padi known as kuzhambu in Tamil Nadu a lentil-based vegetable stew cooked with pigeon a perennial legume and tamarind broth. Thai Curry Green Kitchen Paste is made with green chili peppers, garlic, lemongrass, spices, shallots, and lime peel. It is a versatile Thai flavoring paste with a blend of lemongrass spice including galangal. and fresh green chili.

It is an easy base for curries, soups and marinades in your favorite recipes. For a delicious curry use as stir-fry seasoning soup base or with coconut milk topped with garnish of choice. Spice food with aromatic flavorings enhancing appetizers, Entrees, side dishes. 

Cheers!

Patricia Lynn

Photos by Brook Lark at Unsplash