Easy Curry Powder Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the main ingredient in curry powder? ›

The primary ingredient in most Indian curry powders is bright yellow turmeric. Turmeric is earthy, musky, and warm, and delivers great depth to curries with no heat. Indian curry spices are usually a blend of: Kashmiri Chile Powder – this chile has a terrific, rich flavor without much heat.

Cumin and chili powder work together as a swap-out ingredient for curry powder that deliver spicy warming notes. These spices work with meat dishes, stews and curries.

Add the curry powder or spice mix and cook for a minute, stirring. Add the chicken or vegetables and salt and cook for 5 minutes. Add 250ml water and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook gently on a low heat on the hob until the chicken is cooked through or the vegetables are tender.

Whether you may be familiar with the differences between curries from various countries, such as Indian versus Japanese curry, and perhaps even know how to make them at home, there's a special flavor enhancer that you may not have thought to add: honey.

Ultimately both curry powder and masala are blended spice mixes that can be added to food to pack a spicy and aromatic kick. In the end, the difference boils down to the different mix of spices, masala being more of a warming aromatic blend and curry powder being more of an earthy blend.

Curry paste is a wet ingredient made with fresh chilies. It must be dissolved into a liquid during the cooking process. Curry powder is a dry ingredient that must be activated with a liquid or oil. It does not include fresh chilies, so it will be much less spicy than a curry paste.

Curry powders are made with a variety of bright yellow spices including, turmeric, coriander, cumin, chili pepper, and curry leaves. If adding spice to food isn't for you, you can find turmeric and curcumin supplements.

Turmeric is a commonly used spice in many curry recipes for its vibrant color and distinct flavor, but it is not the only spice available. You can still create a delicious and flavorful curry using other spices and ingredients.

If you're in a pinch, there are many great alternatives you might already have in your pantry. Caraway seeds and ground coriander most closely mimic cumin's flavor, while curry and chili powders contain cumin.

Curries can be bland if you haven't used enough of the base aromatics of garlic, ginger, and onion. The onion should be caramelized in oil until well browned and flavorful. Spices should not be old enough to lose potency and preferably should be toasted and ground yourself.

Should I add water or milk to curry? ›

Coconut milk as a curry sauce base makes the dish creamy, sweet and give it a thicker consistency. The sweetness of the milk reduces the sharpness of spices and heat making the dish a little mild. Water on the other hand dilutes the dish and makes it a bit runny.

Curries derive their spice from peppers—fresh, dried, blended in a paste or in powdered form—so adding extra chili peppers is an easy way to make your curry spicier. If you make your own curry or garam masala spice blend, add extra cayenne pepper to the mix.

The actual sweetness and creaminess of such curries meanwhile, usually comes from fried onions and either cashews and/or dairy products. Instead of (or in addition to) onion, ground coconut may be used. White poppy seeds and/or watermelon seeds are also used in some creamy sauces.

The easiest way to fix a bland and tasteless curry is by adding spices like red chili powder, cumin, coriander, garam masala, curry leaves and turmeric. Just make a quick tempering and pour over the curry to give it a nice punch of spices and herbs.

Ginger (Adarek)

Of all Indian spices, Ginger is an absolutely essential ingredient for most curries, and is one half of the recipe for ginger garlic paste, used in most food of India. It's fine to use this spice dried. Some recipes even call for it. Most Indian dishes call for ginger/garlic paste.

Composition: Cumin is a single spice, while curry is a blend of multiple spices that includes cumin. Flavor Profile: Cumin has a warm, earthy flavor, whereas curry has a complex flavor that can vary depending on the blend.

Thai dishes have won over the hearts of foodies all over the world. A sentiment that is shared globally and was made official in CNN's readers' poll on the “World's Best Food”, a vote which amounted to a chart of the top 100 most delicious dishes being served across the planet.

Turmeric is also found in curry powder. Curry powders are made with a variety of bright yellow spices including, turmeric, coriander, cumin, chili pepper, and curry leaves. If adding spice to food isn't for you, you can find turmeric and curcumin supplements.