tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-187939946987190646.post-4595315205151624382007-09-02T19:23:00.000+02:002007-10-10T07:59:10.174+02:002007-10-10T07:59:10.174+02:00<blockquote>The word "Khari" from which "curry" is derived, comes from Southern India and refers to a sauce of any kind. "Curry powder" was developed by the British, who wished to take the taste of Indian food home, without having to utilize fresh spices. As a result "curry powder" in the Western world has a fairly standardized taste, but there are literally millions of curry flavors in India....</blockquote><p>(cited from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curry_powder">Wikipedia</a>) ...<br />It wasn't actually until for about two years ago when I was in Dubai and bought my currently most favorite cookbook '<a href="http://shopping.msn.com/Specs/shp/?itemId=91390914">50 Great Curries Of India</a>' written by Camelia Punjabi. I am sure you all are super familiar with her a-m-a-z-i-n-g curries. It was her that taught me how to cook Indian food and recognize different spices and flavors . And it was also her that made me realize, for the very first time, that curry powder actually means 'gravy powder'. How silly... :)<br /><br />Anyway, Gravy Powder is and always will be a part of our busy lives, regardless of how many zillion types of it are there out there. I have tried several different mixtures and they all have some spices in common: <span style="font-style: italic;">fenugreek seeds, coriander seeds, t</span><span style="font-style: italic;">urmeric, cumin seeds </span>and <span style="font-style: italic;">mustard seeds.</span><br />Here is my own version:</p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_IbyrjeHfP0s/RwYfc_3i2UI/AAAAAAAAAds/jxzEAq0P8Hk/s1600-h/curry_powder.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_IbyrjeHfP0s/RwYfc_3i2UI/AAAAAAAAAds/jxzEAq0P8Hk/s400/curry_powder.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5117812609594349890" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">SIMPLE BUT ROASTED CURRY POWDER</span><br /><br />prep time: 15 mins<br />makes : a small jar </p><span style="font-size:85%;">(clockwise from left corner) <a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_IbyrjeHfP0s/RujcCq6s7PI/AAAAAAAAAXk/nv0WY1exoG8/s1600-h/curry_spices.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5109575715690179826" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right;" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_IbyrjeHfP0s/RujcCq6s7PI/AAAAAAAAAXk/nv0WY1exoG8/s200/curry_spices.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></span><ul><li>1 tbsp mustard seeds</li><li>1 tbsp coriander seeds</li><li>1 tbsp cumin seeds</li><li>1 tsp black peppercorns</li><li>1 tbsp turmeric</li><li>1 tbsp fenugreek seeds</li><li>6 dried red chilies</li></ul>Heat up a non-sticking skillet and roast all the ingredients except for the turmeric. Roasting process releases aroma of particular spices and make them easier to grind. Transfer the roasted spices into a mortar and crush them into a fine powder.<br /><br />Use any time desired to flavor sauces, rice dishes or<a href="http://www.burntmouth.com/2007/09/zucchini-cream-soup.html"> a cup of zucchini cream soup. </a><br /><br />For a simple <span style="font-weight: bold;">CURRY FRIED RICE:</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_IbyrjeHfP0s/RwYhRP3i2VI/AAAAAAAAAd0/2R4zz6rcAKk/s1600-h/curry_fried_rice.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_IbyrjeHfP0s/RwYhRP3i2VI/AAAAAAAAAd0/2R4zz6rcAKk/s400/curry_fried_rice.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5117814606754142546" border="0" /></a>... Just brown some chopped onions and garlic, add a cup of vegetables and saute until soft, mix in a tablespoon of curry powder, add some salt and pepper and finally, mix in a cup of rice. Fry until well coated and slightly crispy. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or coriander leaves and serve...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.burntmouth.com/search/label/Monday%20Spice%20Collection">Monday Spice Collection</a> is a series of recipes for basic herb and spice mixtures that I gave to my sister as <a href="http://www.burntmouth.com/2007/08/wedding-ceremony-and-monday-spice.html">her wedding present</a>.<br /><br />Don't forget to come back next Monday, I ll be making <a href="http://www.burntmouth.com/2007/09/monday-spice-collection-part-3-cajun.html"><span>Cajun Powder</span>.</a>.. And just in case you weren't here last week, I made <a href="http://www.burntmouth.com/2007/08/monday-spice-collection-part-1_27.html">Herb de Provence</a> - a traditional French herb blend.zlamushkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12359856305294505035noreply@blogger.com