Favourite Curry

How to cook… Chicken Korma

Recipes

Serves 4 as a main dish

Having shaken off the reputation of being the “beginner’s curry”, the mild Korma is gaining in popularity again. And it’s no surprise that chicken is the preferred choice for this delicious dish. This recipe avoids the sickly sweetness and coconut dished up by some restaurants and mixes onions, yoghurt and cream to create a creamy smoothness.

What you need…
• 1.5 onions
• 3 Tablespoons ghee
• 4 Tablespoons milk
• pinch turmeric
• 800g chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 Tablespoon garlic paste
• 1 Tablespoon garam masala
• 100g yoghurt
• 150ml double cream
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 1 Tablespoon almond flakes
• few coriander leaves, for garnish

How to make it…
1. Chop the onions and blanch them in boiling water for 3 minutes. This removes the bitterness. Purée the onions in a blender.
2. Heat 1 Tablespoon ghee in a pan to a low-medium heat. Add the milk and turmeric and once warm add the chicken to colour it. This should take 1-2 minutes.
3. Turn the heat to medium-high and add the rest of the ghee. When hot add the onions and cook on a medium heat for 5 minutes.
4. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
5. Add the garam masala, yoghurt, cream and salt, and cook until the chicken is cooked. You can add a little water to get the consistency you prefer.
6. While it is cooking turn the grill to a high heat and roast the almonds. This takes less than a minute so be careful not to burn them.
7. Serve, garnished with the roasted almonds and coriander leaves.

CHEF’S TIP
Because this dish is so mild it is nice with the sharp, tanginess of some lime pickle or mixed pickle.
Chicken Korma is the favourite for curry fans who don’t like it hot.

If you like this you should try our…
Prawn Madras • Prawn Rogan • Prawn Vindaloo • Prawn Dopiaza • Mughlai Malai Kofta • Medium Chicken Curry • Chicken Madras • Chicken Vindaloo • Chicken Bhoona • Butter Chicken • Chicken Dopiaza

I went for a curry the other night but it went badly wrong when my nan was taken ill and slipped into a Korma.

How to cook… Prawn Dhansak

Recipes

Serves 4 as a main dish

Prawns work well with this sweet and sour dish. Dhansak originates from Persia (Iran) although the chefs of the day would have used meat for this dish. Lentils and mixed vegetables are added to some Base Curry Sauce, with sugar and lime (or lemon) juice adding the sweet and sour tastes. Large prawns soak up those flavours nicely.

What you need…
• 120g red split lentils, washed and well rinsed
• 3 Tablespoons ghee
• 600ml Base Curry Sauce
• 1 Tablespoon tomato ketchup
• 600g prawns, shelled and deveined
• 400g mixed (frozen or tinned) vegetables, cut into small pieces
• 1 green chilli, chopped
• 1 Tablespoon sugar
• 1 Tablespoon lime or lemon juice (or vinegar)
• salt, to taste

Spice Mix
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 Tablespoon mild curry powder
• 1 Tablespoon garam masala

How to make it…
1. Boil the lentils with water until cooked (about 25–30 minutes).
2. Heat the ghee in a pan to a medium heat. Add the Base Curry Sauce and cook for 2 minutes.
3. Add the Spice Mix and tomato ketchup, and cook for 3 minutes.
4. Add the cooked lentils, prawns and the rest of the ingredients, mix well and simmer, allowing the flavours to combine until all the prawns are cooked. Add water during the simmer, if needed.

CHEF’S TIP
Frozen or tinned are quick and easy but you can use use fresh vegetables if you par-boil them first before adding them to the Base Curry Sauce.
Prawns make an excellent main ingredients in Dhansak, beautifully soaking up the sweet and sour tastes.

If you like this you should try our…
Butter Paneer • Muttar Paneer • Chilli Paneer • Prawn Madras • Prawn Rogan • Prawn Vindaloo • Medium Chicken Curry • Chicken Madras • Chicken Vindaloo • Chicken Bhoona • Butter Chicken • Chicken Dopiaza

How does this dish make some money? … Visits the prawn shop.

How to cook… Chicken Dhansak

Recipes

Serves 4 as a main dish

A thick, sweet and sour dish, Dhansak originates from Persia (Iran). The dish was introduced to India by a group of Parsees (from Persia) spread south to Gujarat to escape persecution in 1500BC. Lentils and mixed vegetables are added to some Base Curry Sauce, with sugar and lime (or lemon) juice adding the sweet and sour tastes.

What you need…
• 120g red split lentils, washed and well rinsed
• 3 Tablespoons ghee
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 600ml Base Curry Sauce
• 400g chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 400g mixed (frozen or tinned) vegetables, cut into small pieces
• 1 green chilli, chopped
• 1 Tablespoon tomato ketchup
• 1 Tablespoon mild curry powder
• 1 Tablespoon garam masala
• 1 Tablespoon sugar
• 1 Tablespoon lime or lemon juice
• salt, to taste

How to make it…
1. Boil the lentils with water until cooked (about 25–30 minutes).
2. While they are cooking heat the ghee in a pan to a medium heat. Add the turmeric and 3 Tablespoons of the Base Curry Sauce. Once warmed through add the chicken and stir fry until all the pieces are sealed (about 2 minutes).
3. Add the rest of the Base Curry Sauce, the cooked lentils and the rest of the ingredients, mix well and simmer for 5 minutes to allow the flavours to combine.
4. Stir, add a little water if needed, and continue cooking until all the chicken pieces are cooked through.

CHEF’S TIP
If you are really looking for a really old-school version of this dish you can add a couple of chunks of pineapple.
Chicken Dhansak, sweet and sour, and full of flavour.

If you like this you should try our…
Prawn Madras • Prawn Rogan • Prawn Vindaloo • Prawn Dopiaza • Mughlai Malai Kofta • Medium Chicken Curry • Chicken Madras • Chicken Vindaloo • Chicken Bhoona • Butter Chicken • Chicken Dopiaza

Don’t have a food fight with Dhansak. It’s only funny lentil someone gets hurt.

How to cook… Lamb Madras

Recipes

Serves 4 as a main dish

Lamb Madras is one of the most-ordered dishes in Indian restaurants. Meaty chunks of lamb are cooked gently in the Base Curry Sauce that’s given an extra kick with the black peppercorns and chilli powder.

What you need…
• 2 Tablespoons ghee
• 1 teaspoon garlic paste
• 800g lamb, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 600ml Base Curry Sauce
• 2 Tablespoons tomato ketchup
• salt to taste
• 0.5 onion sliced
• 1 tomato, cut into segments

Spice Mix 1
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 0.5 black peppercorns
• 0.5 fenugreek seeds

Spice Mix 2
• 1 Tablespoon curry powder
• 2 teaspoons chilli powder
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 Tablespoon garam masala

How to make it…
1. Heat the ghee to a high heat. Add the Spice Mix 1 and fry for 15 seconds. The spices should sizzle immediately when you add them to the ghee. You can test it is hot enough by adding one cumin seed.
2. Add the garlic paste and cook for 1 minute on a lower heat. You may have to remove the pan from the heat for a while to the paste burning. (If it burns then throw it away and start again.)
3. Add the lamb and stir fry until sealed (about 2–3 minutes).
4. Add the Base Curry Sauce and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally and adding water as needed to avoid it sticking.
5. Add the Spice Mix 2 and tomato ketchup, mix well and cook for 20 minutes.
6. Add the salt, onion and tomato and continue cooking until the lamb is tender (about 5 minutes).

CHEF’S TIP
The onion and tomato segments should be cooked just enough that they are soft but still intact.
Lamb Madras, the classic for spice lovers.

If you like this you should try our…
Butter Paneer • Muttar Paneer • Chilli Paneer • Prawn Madras • Prawn Rogan • Prawn Vindaloo • Medium Chicken Curry • Chicken Madras • Chicken Vindaloo • Chicken Bhoona • Butter Chicken • Chicken Dopiaza

Where do lambs get together? …The meet market.

How to cook… Chicken Korma

Recipes

Serves 4 as a main dish

Having shaken off the reputation of being the “beginner’s curry”, the mild Korma is gaining in popularity again. And it’s no surprise that chicken is the preferred choice for this delicious dish. This recipe avoids the sickly sweetness and coconut dished up by some restaurants and mixes onions, yoghurt and cream to create a creamy smoothness.

What you need…
• 1.5 onions
• 3 Tablespoons ghee
• 4 Tablespoons milk
• pinch turmeric
• 800g chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 Tablespoon garlic paste
• 1 Tablespoon garam masala
• 100g yoghurt
• 150ml double cream
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 1 Tablespoon almond flakes
• few coriander leaves, for garnish

How to make it…
1. Chop the onions and blanch them in boiling water for 3 minutes. This removes the bitterness. Purée the onions in a blender.
2. Heat 1 Tablespoon ghee in a pan to a low-medium heat. Add the milk and turmeric and once warm add the chicken to colour it. This should take 1-2 minutes.
3. Turn the heat to medium-high and add the rest of the ghee. When hot add the onions and cook on a medium heat for 5 minutes.
4. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
5. Add the garam masala, yoghurt, cream and salt, and cook until the chicken is cooked. You can add a little water to get the consistency you prefer.
6. While it is cooking turn the grill to a high heat and roast the almonds. This takes less than a minute so be careful not to burn them.
7. Serve, garnished with the roasted almonds and coriander leaves.

CHEF’S TIP
Because this dish is so mild it is nice with the sharp, tanginess of some lime pickle or mixed pickle.
Chicken Korma is the favourite for curry fans who don’t like it hot.

If you like this you should try our…
Prawn Madras • Prawn Rogan • Prawn Vindaloo • Prawn Dopiaza • Mughlai Malai Kofta • Medium Chicken Curry • Chicken Madras • Chicken Vindaloo • Chicken Bhoona • Butter Chicken • Chicken Dopiaza

I went for a curry the other night but it went badly wrong when my nan was taken ill and slipped into a Korma.

How to cook… Lamb Bhoona

Recipes

Serves 4 as a main dish

The use of the whole spices produces an earthy and aromatic dish and work excellently with lamb. Lamb Bhoona is a dryish dish, with the chunks of meat coated in the thick sauce. This is achieved by using less Base Curry Sauce than with other dishes and by cooking the sauce in batches slowly to reduce and thicken it.

What you need…
• 2 Tablespoons ghee
• 800g lamb, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 400ml Base Curry Sauce
• small handful fresh coriander (chop up the stems to add to the curry and set aside the leaves for garnish)
• 2 Tablespoons yoghurt
• salt to taste

Spice Mix 1
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 2 cardamon seeds, cracked open but not crushed
• 2 cloves
• 5 curry leaves

Spice Mix 2
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon chilli powder
• 1 teaspoon garam masala

How to make it…
1. Heat the ghee to a high heat. Add the Spice Mix 1 and fry for 15 seconds. They whole spices should sizzle immediately. You can test the ghee is hot enough by adding one cumin seed.
2. Now add the lamb and stir fry until all the chunks are sealed. This should take 2–3 minutes.
3. Now add a quarter of the Base Curry Sauce and stir fry for 10 minutes. Add another quarter of the sauce and repeat. When you add the last quarter of the sauce also add the Spice Mix 2 and coriander stems. The sauce should be thick by the end of the 40-minutes process.
4. Add the yoghurt and salt, mix well and stir fry until the lamb is tender (about 5 minutes).
5. Serve, garnished with the coriander leaves.

CHEF’S TIP
If you don’t like whole spices in your finished curry you can put them in a little spice bag before dropping them in the ghee. You then remove the bag just before serving. If using the spice bag, cook the spices in the ghee for an extra 5–10 seconds at stage 1 to ensure the flavours are released through the bag into the ghee.
Lamb Bhoona, chunky meat in a thick, dry sauce.

If you like this you should try our…
Butter Paneer • Muttar Paneer • Chilli Paneer • Prawn Madras • Prawn Rogan • Prawn Vindaloo • Medium Chicken Curry • Chicken Madras • Chicken Vindaloo • Chicken Bhoona • Butter Chicken • Chicken Dopiaza

What’s your favourite curry?

How to cook… Medium Lamb Curry

Recipes

Serves 4 as a main dish

Lamb Curry is a classic curry house favourite and this medium-strength recipe is easy to make, with some garlic and spices added to the Base Curry Sauce and simmered until the lamb is tender.

What you need…
• 2 Tablespoons ghee
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon garlic paste
• 800g lamb, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 600ml Base Curry Sauce
• 2 Tablespoons tomato ketchup
• salt to taste
• small handful fresh coriander (chop up the stems to add to the curry and set aside the leaves for garnish)

Spice Mix
• 1 Tablespoon curry powder
• 1 teaspoon chilli powder
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon garam masala

How to make it…
1. Heat the ghee to a high heat. While it is heating up mix the Spice Mix with the vinegar and enough water to form a sloppy paste.
2. Add the cumin seeds and fry for 15 seconds. They should sizzle immediately. You can test the ghee is hot enough by adding one seed.
3. Add the garlic paste and cook for 1 minute on a lower heat. You may have to remove the pan from the heat initially to stop the paste burning. (If it burns then throw it away and start again.)
4. Add the lamb and stir fry until sealed (about 2–3 minutes).
5. Add the Base Curry Sauce and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally and adding water as needed to avoid it sticking.
6. Add the Spice Mix and tomato ketchup, mix well and cook for 20 minutes.
7. Add the salt and coriander stems and continue cooking until the lamb is tender (about 5 minutes). Add water, as needed, to maintain the consistency.
8. Serve, garnished with the coriander leaves.

CHEF’S TIP
Keeping turning the lamb chunks during the cooking process to make sure they all absorb the flavours of the sauce fully.
Classic Lamb Curry. Dark, rich sauce with meaty chunks of lamb.

If you like this you should try our…
Lamb Madras • Chilli Paneer • Sag Paneer • Muttar Paneer • Prawn Madras • Prawn Rogan • Prawn Vindaloo • Prawn Dopiaza • Medium Chicken Curry • Chicken Madras • Chicken Vindaloo • Chicken Bhoona • Butter Chicken • Chicken Dopiaza • Mushroom Bhajee

What do you call a quiet lamb? … One that is asheeeeep.

How to cook… Butter Paneer

Recipes

Serves 4 as a main dish

Paneer works excellently with this creamy, buttery and super moreish sauce. Fry the paneer chunks first so they are crispy on the outside and enjoy the rich sauce. The dish will be much better if you make your own paneer.

What you need…
• 1 teaspoon ghee
• 800g paneer, cubed
• 150g unsalted butter
• 2 onions, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon ginger paste
• salt to taste
• 6 fresh tomatoes, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, if you like it sweet)
• 150ml cream
• coriander leaves for garnish

Spice Mix
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder

How to make it…
1. Heat 1 Tablespoon ghee in pan to a low-medium heat. Add the paneer cubes and fry until they brown. This should take about 3–4 minute. Remove from the pan and set aside.
2. Heat 100g of the butter on a low-medium heat until melted, add the onion and cook until it starts to brown (about 4–5 minutes).
3. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for 1 minute.
4. Add in the Spice Mix, salt and the chillies, stir well and cook for 1 minute.
5. Add the tomatoes and cook for 3-4 minutes, then add 250ml water and cook for a further 2–3 minutes.
6. Transfer the ingredients to a blender (or use a hand blender) until smooth.
7. Return to pan and reheat for a couple of minutes. You can now add in the optional sugar.
8. Add the paneer, cream, the other 50g of butter and and cook on a low-medium heat until everything is warmed through.
9. Serve garnished with the coriander leaves. The dish also looks good with a small swirl of cream and/or tiny knob of butter in the middle of the dish (it will melt quickly).

CHEF’S TIP
When you remove the paneer chunks and move on to stage 2 you do not need wipe out the remaining ghee. It’ll stop the butter burning and what’s a bit more oil between friends when it comes to such a rich dish?
The crispy paneer chunks are excellently complimented by the creamy sauce.

If you like this you should try our…
How to make Paneer • Chilli Paneer • Sag Paneer • Muttar Paneer • Prawn Madras • Prawn Rogan • Prawn Vindaloo • Prawn Dopiaza • Medium Chicken Curry • Chicken Madras • Chicken Vindaloo • Chicken Bhoona • Butter Chicken • Chicken Dopiaza

What cheese do cyclists take on holiday? … A paneer.

How to cook… Sag Paneer

Recipes

Serves 4 as a side dish

Sag Paneer is an excellent side dish, with the crispiness of the pre-fried cheese – especially if you make your own paneer – beautifully complemented by with the wilted, bright green spinach leaves. The addition of the red chilli can add a nice kick as well as a lovely splash of colour.

What you need…
• 2 Tablespoons ghee
• 200g paneer, cut into chunks about 2-3 cm square
• 0.5 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 2 teaspoons garlic paste
• 1 teaspoons ginger paste
• 200g Base Curry Sauce
• 1 red chilli, finely chopped (optional)
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• small handful coriander leaves, chopped
• 200g spinach (fresh or frozen), chopped

Spice Mix
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon chilli powder
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder

How to make it…
1. Heat 1 Tablespoon ghee in pan to a medium heat. Add the paneer cubes and fry until they brown. This should take about 3–4 minute. Remove from the pan and set aside.
2. Add the rest of the ghee and heat to high heat. While it is heating up mix the Spice Mix with enough water to form a sloppy paste.
3. Add the cumin seeds and fry for 15 seconds. They should sizzle immediately. You can test the ghee is hot enough by adding one seed.
4. Add the garlic and ginger paste and cook for 1 minute on a lower heat. You may have to remove the pan from the heat initially to stop the paste burning. (If it burns then throw away and start again.)
5, Add the Spice Mix paste and cook for 2 minutes. It should now be thick and gloopy.
6. Add the Base Curry Sauce, (optional) chilli and salt and cook for 2 minute.
7. Add the paneer and coriander and cook until all the pieces are all well-coated. This should take 1–2 minutes.
8. Add the spinach and cook until all the moisture has evaporated and the spinach has wilted. This will take about 5 minutes.

CHEF’S TIP
An easy way to ‘chop’ up the spinach is to put it in the freezer, then just before you need it bring it out and beat it with your fist. The spinach will snap into small pieces and defrost very quickly.
Sag Paneer, makes an excellent side dish with its crispy cheese chunks and dark green spinach leaves.

If you like this you should try our…
How to make Paneer • Butter Paneer • Muttar Paneer • Chilli Paneer • Prawn Madras • Prawn Rogan • Prawn Vindaloo • Medium Chicken Curry • Chicken Madras • Chicken Vindaloo • Chicken Bhoona • Butter Chicken • Chicken Dopiaza

The waiter in our local restaurant is always asking questions about my orders… It’s like the Spinach Inquisition.

How to cook… Prawn Korma

Recipes

Serves 4 as a main dish

The beautifully mild Korma is a delicious dish when cooked well. This recipe avoids the sickly sweetness and coconut dished up by some restaurants and concentrates on the creamy, smoothness of a great dish served with plump prawns.

What you need…
• 1.5 onions
• 3 Tablespoons ghee
• 4 Tablespoons ghee
• 4 Tablespoons milk
• pinch turmeric
• 800g prawns, shelled and deveined
• 1 Tablespoon garlic paste
• 1 Tablespoon garam masala
• 100g yoghurt
• 150ml double cream
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 1 Tablespoon almond flakes
• few coriander leaves, for garnish

How to make it…
1. Chop the onions and blanch them in boiling water for 3 minutes. This removes the bitterness. Purée the onions in a blender.
2. Heat 1 Tablespoon ghee in a pan to a low-medium heat. Add the milk and the turmeric and once warm add the prawns to colour them. This should take 1-2 minutes. Remove the prawns and set aside.
3. Turn the heat to medium-high and add the rest of the ghee. When hot add the onions and cook on a medium heat for 5 minutes.
4. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
5. Add the garam masala, yoghurt, cream and salt, and cook for 3 minutes.
6. While it is cooking turn the grill to a high heat and roast the almonds. This takes less than a minute so be careful not to burn them.
7. Add the prawns until cooked.
8. Serve, garnished with the roasted almonds and coriander leaves.

CHEF’S TIP
The smoothness of this dish means you’ll be able to actually taste a delicate accompaniment such as Saffron Rice or Lemon Rice.
Smooth and creamy Prawn Korma.

If you like this you should try our…
Prawn Madras • Prawn Rogan • Prawn Vindaloo • Prawn Dopiaza • Mughlai Malai Kofta • Medium Chicken Curry • Chicken Madras • Chicken Vindaloo • Chicken Bhoona • Butter Chicken • Chicken Dopiaza

What’s Boy George’s favourite curry? … Korma Chameleon

How to cook… Butter Chicken

Recipes

Serves 4 as a main dish

Butter Chicken is probably the most moreish Indian dish. Marinated in Tikka Marinade, cooked in the oven or grill, then added to a sauce with lots of butter and cream, this is a rich and delicious dish that will have you mopping up the last drips with your nan bread.

What you need…
• juice of 1 lemon
• 800g chicken breast or deboned thigh, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 recipe Tikka Marinade
• 150g unsalted butter
• 2 onions, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon garlic paste (or finely chopped)
• 1 teaspoon ginger paste (or finely chopped)
• salt to taste
• 6 fresh tomatoes, chopped
• 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, if you like it sweet)
• small handful fresh coriander (chop up the stems to add to the curry and set aside the leaves for garnish)
• 1–3 fresh green chillies (depending on the heat you prefer)
• 100ml cream

Spice Mix
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder

How to make it…
1. Squeeze the lemon over the chicken, rub it in well and leave for 15 minutes. This will degrease the chicken and helps the chicken absorb the marinade.
2. Shake off the excess lemon and coat the pieces in the Tikka Marinade. Leave for at least 15 minutes but preferably 24–48 hours.
3. Place the chicken pieces on a grill tray (you can use skewers if you choose) making sure you do not cram the pieces too closely together. Grill until the chicken is half-cooked and still pink inside (you can check this by cutting through a large piece). This will take approximately 6–10 minutes on a high heat, turning the chicken once during this time. Set aside and cover to keep warm.
4. Heat 100g of the butter on a low-medium heat until melted, add the onion and cook until it starts to brown (about 4–5 minutes).
5. Add the garlic and ginger, and cook for 1 minute.
6. Add the Spice Mix, salt and chillies, stir well and cook for 1 minute.
7. Add the tomatoes and coriander stems cook for 3-4 minutes, then add 250ml water and cook for a further 2–3 minutes.
8. Transfer the ingredients to a blender (or use a hand blender) until smooth.
9. Return the mixture to the pan and reheat for a couple of minutes before adding the chicken (use the juices that will have drained from the chicken for a better taste) and cook gently for 3–4 minutes. You can now add in the optional sugar.
10. Add the cream, the other 50g of butter and and cook on a low-medium heat until the chicken is cooked (about 5 minutes). To check the chicken is cooked, remove and cut through one of the larger pieces.
11. Serve, garnished with the coriander leaves.

CHEF’S TIP
You might come across some versions of this dish with less butter and cream. Seriously, what’s the point? This is Butter Chicken, just enjoy it.
Butter Chicken, rich in butter, cream and tomatoes.

If you like this you should try our…
Butter Paneer • Chicken Tikka Masala • Mughlai Malai Kofta • Prawn Korma • Medium Chicken Curry • Chicken Madras • Chicken Vindaloo • Chicken Bhoona • Chicken Tikka Masala

Get rid of margerine and the world will be a butter place.

Curry Guide… Jalfrezi

Curry Guide

Jalfrezi  has become one of the most popular dishes among British diners in Indian restaurants. It means a spicy food (jal or jhal) stir-fry (frezi) so should be dryish and served fresh from the pan, although in many restaurants it’s morphed into a dish with the generic curry house spicy tomato and onion sauce.

IMG_0935The dish was born in West Bengal (now part of Bangladesh) when the chefs, obviously without fridges in the Anglo-Indian days of the Raj, were forced to create dishes using leftover meats and other ingredients before they went to waste. With chicken being easy and quick to cook using the stir-fry method, it soon became the number one choice for Jalfezi.

A classic Jalfrezi uses few spices except cumin seeds, turmeric and sometimes chilli powder, but instead relies on frying up fresh ingredients such as garlic, ginger, chillies, onion, peppers and tomatoes and letting the flavours combine. The only sauce is from the ingredients themselves and the will be a golden colour from the turmeric.

The Spice Card offers savings on curries, including on takeaways at many venues. You can get your Spice Card here.

3D card image