Archives for May 2009
What is Curry?
25 May 2009 | Uncategorized | No Responses
Curry is an all-purpose term devised by the English to cover the whole range of Indian food spicing. Indian cooks have at least twenty-five spices on their regular list and it is from these that they produce curry flavor. The spices are blended in different proportions to produce specific dishes. The difference in each dish is in the blend of spices, which are divided into two categories: freshly ground powdered spices and whole spices such as clove, cardamom, mustard seeds, nutmeg, and others. These different combinations of spices can produce thousands of variations!
Curry is an English term probably derived from the South Indian word Kaikaari. Kaikaari, means vegetables cooked with spices and a dash of coconut. It may have become the symbolic British word for Indian dishes eaten with rice.
In India curry means spiced gravy. In many parts of Asia, particularly India, Malaysia and Singapore the word “gravy” is used to refer to any thickened liquid part of a dish.
In America, many believe curry is an Indian spice which is not surprising since curry powder is sold in many supermarkets. Many dishes in America call for curry powder, which is actually a blend of spices mixed with coriander powder and turmeric.