Flavorful, vibrant, warm and earthy, no words can really be used to describe the blend of curry powder spices. Similar to garam masala, this savory spice includes a mixture comprising of cumin, turmeric and bay leaf that allows a deep flavor with comforting brightness.
Curry powder is one of the easiest ways to bring incredible flavor to any vegetarian or meat-based dish. It can be used as a rub for meat or vegetables, and sprinkled onto dishes like seasonings, however not all ingredients complement well with the boldness of curry powder.
What to eat with curry powder? Curry powder is widely used in authentic Indian cuisine to transform dishes with the vibrant color and complex flavor.
The spice is often found in soups, sauces, marinades, meat, and vegetables. Additionally, use it to season burgers, scrambled or deviled eggs, and potato and chicken salad in an unconventional way.
When it comes to ingredients, curry powder pairs wonderfully with basmati rice, coconut milk, cream, cashews, chicken, and mushrooms.
An everyday use for curry is as a sauce for vegetables and rice, especially with green, red, and yellow curry dishes. In addition, it can even be added to soups, dips, and a wide range of other dishes.
But curry powder is not always easy to pair with food. In this article, we give you tips for the best ways to use curry powder as an aromatic spice.
What does curry powder pair well with?
Curry powder has a flavor that is best described as a fragrant blend of spicy and sweet. The flavor profile of a curry depends on the region it originated from.
Curry is often paired with rice dishes because they’re hearty enough to stand against the other tastes without overwhelming their individuality. However, sometimes you may choose to serve curry without rice.
Sprinkling a spoonful of curry powder is also sometimes used to add a citrusy and sweet note to dishes.
Curry powder typically pairs well with these ingredients:
- Fruits: lemon, lime, tamarind, tomatoes, mangoes, bananas
- Vegetables: garlic, mushrooms, onions, paprika, potatoes, zucchini
- Meats: beef, chicken, eggs, fish, tuna
- Dairy: butter, cream, crème fraiche, heavy cream
- Spices: cardamom, cayenne, red chili peppers, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, ginger, nutmeg, red and black pepper, saffron, star anise, turmeric, cloves
- Herbs: cilantro, dill, fennel, lemongrass
- Nuts: cashews, brazil nuts
- Cheese: cheddar, paneer cheese, cream cheese, cottage cheese
- Condiments: mayonnaise, vegetable oil, kosher salt, coconut milk
- Seeds: pumpkin seeds
- Food: fish and pea soups, chicken and fish stock, meat stews
What is curry powder made of?
The exact ingredients in curry powder may change depending on the region. But usually, most blends of curry powder contain a basic combination of turmeric, coriander, cumin, fenugreek, mustard seed, paprika, and chili pepper flakes.
When using a blend from an Indian market or grocery store, it’s likely to find ginger, garlic, and onion powders in the mix. In certain recipe, you will find special touches to their curry powder recipes, including dried mint leaves or cinnamon.
Curry powder can be found in yellow, red, and green blends. The yellow powder is often made with turmeric, which gives it the vibrant yellowish color.
Not only in stews and soups, the fine powder can act as a dry rub for meat like chicken and fish before sautéing or grilling. It also works great with vegetables like eggplant and squash, especially when combined with yogurt to make a delicious side dish to compliment.
What flavor goes well with curry powder?
Curry powder has different flavor notes, including peppery, nutty, and spicy. So it pairs well with foods that can bring out these flavors.
For those who love a tangy taste in their dishes, add some yogurt or lemon juice after adding curry powder. Adding cilantro gives the dish an earthy flavor and color that complements the curry flavor without overpowering it.
Other spices and herbs such as nutmeg, cardamom, cloves and aromatics such as lemongrass and cilantro are a perfect addition.
Here are well-known flavor combinations using curry powder:
- curry powder + basmati rice + coconut milk + chicken + ginger
- curry powder + hummus + crudite
- curry powder + egg salad + baby spinach + carrots
- curry powder + popcorn + sea salt + cayenne + black pepper + caramel
- curry powder + deviled or scrambled eggs
Eat with Curry Powder: Conclusion
When making a curry powder-based dish, consider complementary ingredients with a similar flavor profile to the spice blend. Elements such as coconut milk and chickpeas are outstanding for thickening curries and creating satisfying meals.
Many vegetables go well with curry, but peas, potatoes, cauliflower, carrots, mushrooms, and eggplant are commonly used in Indian curries.
Fruits like mangoes and bananas can be used to add contrasting flavors to the spice of the curry powder. Cashew nuts or pumpkin seeds can also balance out the heat.
The right amount of curry powder adds fun color and rich flavor to soups, sauces, marinades, egg dishes, potato and chicken salads.
Typically served in savory dishes, use this guide filled with ingredients and flavor combination to create delicious meals with curry powder as the primary spice blend.