Curry is a powder comprised of a blend of spices that gives distinctive flavor to many Indian and South Asian dishes. Although blends vary by region and commercial brand, most curry powders include turmeric, coriander, cumin, fenugreek, mustard, salt and pepper. Although yellow is the most common curry powder variety, brown, green and red blends are also available. Different regions, cultures and manufacturers have developed their own curry blends, which often also include cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom and chili peppers.http://www.lionsgrip.com/curingredients.html
Background and History
Curry was introduced to the West by British colonists who, upon returning home from India, attempted to recreate the dishes they had enjoyed while overseas. The name is derived from the Tamil word, kari, which, loosely translated, means "spiced sauce" or "spiced stew". Different curry dishes differ as much as different stews do.http://www.herbcompanion.com/Gardening/The-Real-Curry-Plant.aspx
The plant commonly known in the US as curry, Helichrysum Italicum, is not an edible plant, although it smells a bit like curry powder, and thus got its nickname.http://www.herbcompanion.com/Gardening/The-Real-Curry-Plant.aspx There is a true curry plant that grows in India and China, Murraya Koenigii. This is the main ingredient in Indian bread called dosa. Murraya Koenigii is sold in many Asian and Indian grocery stores.http://www.herbcompanion.com/Gardening/The-Real-Curry-Plant.aspx?page=2
Curry Serving Suggestions
In the UK curry has been popular ever since India was a British colony. The British enjoy lamb, chicken and fish stews that are flavored with curry powder. Aside from the meat in these dishes, frequent ingredients are potatoes, green peppers, green chilies and onions.http://web.ukonline.co.uk/drewster/misc/curry.htm
How to Make Beetroot Curry
This Indian cook shows how to add all the ingredients as he pronounces them in his Indian accent. The video shows what the ingredients look like raw and how they look after they are cooked. He points out that curry is actually a plant, and the leaves of the curry plant are what cooks use to make curry powder. He says beetroot curry is a common addition to salads in India. He also suggests main dishes that it will taste good with.
References
Fast Facts
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Ethnic Origin
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Usually Served As
A spice to dress up leftovers
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Cooking Methods
Curry powder is composed of 5-20 spices, depending on the region it is found in.
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Date Originated
3000 BC, although the British first called it curry in 1886
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Usually Served With
Meat leftovers - lamb, chicken or fish are most common
