Curry has long since taken the world by storm. The dish is characterized by the complex flavors from distinct spices added to it. It’s so widely beloved that people from different nations have come up with their own versions of this dish.
If you’re planning to spice up your meals, here are five different types of curry you should try out:
1. Indian Curry
When you think about curry, Indian cuisine immediately comes to mind. Indian curry itself is an umbrella term. You have the famous Chicken Tikka Masala, and you also have variations like the Maharashtrian Chicken Curry, Kofta Curry, and South Indian Fish Curry, which is a pleasant mixture of tanginess and spice due to the addition of tamarind.
To make a basic Indian chicken curry, you need onions, garlic, and tomatoes. Of course, you must have Indian spices as well, such as coriander, turmeric, red chili, and garam masala. You also have the option to add a thickening agent like yogurt, coconut milk, or cream.
2. Thai Curry
The primary difference that Thai curries have from Indian curries is the preference for herbs and aromatic leaves over powdered spices. The dish is also more watery than its Indian counterpart, which is thicker. Essential ingredients include shrimp paste, shallots, chilies, and garlic.
Moreover, there are four main types of Thai curries, namely:
- Green Curry – This is the most renowned type of Thai curry. The color comes from using green chilies, while coconut milk brings out its natural flavors and a more distinct taste than other variations. Lemongrass is also used for this dish.
- Orange Curry – Orange curry has become synonymous with sour curry. This version typically uses pork or fish meat. You’ll only need five ingredients for this dish: dried red chilies, turmeric, sea salt, shallots, and shrimp paste. However, many people add pineapple for sourness, probably to balance out the flavors.
- Yellow Curry – The dish’s color comes from ingredients such as turmeric, lime, nutmeg, and yellow mustard seed. This variation tastes a lot like red curry, albeit richer. Most yellow curry recipes use chicken meat.
- Massaman Curry – For those who prefer sweet dishes, Massaman Curry is the ideal one for you. It’s a combination of Thai and Indian influences. The recipe uses cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and nutmeg. You can use a variety of meat like beef and chicken for this variation.
3. North American-Style Curry
North Americans also have their own version of the curry dish. This recipe takes advantage of locally sourced spices and meat like sage and black pepper. You can even make a delicious turkey curry with maple syrup and cornbread.
Instead of frying, this recipe requires you to bake the meat with the spices. Then, you make a gravy from chicken stock and serve it together with the spiced turkey and cornbread stuffing.
4. Japanese Curry
While Indian and Thai curries are served with flatbread or rice, Japanese curry can come in the form of udon or noodles and bread. A popular variation is the Japanese Pork Katsu Curry, which tops the deep-fried pork cutlet with curry sauce.
For this dish, you’ll need panko breadcrumbs to coat the meat, which, preferably, should be pork loins. You can put anything you want on the curry sauce to suit your taste. Most spices for this version include ground cumin, coriander, and turmeric, as well as cayenne pepper.
5. Jamaican Curry
This curry variation caters to the Jamaican palate, with allspice as a typical ingredient. Other components of the dish are turmeric, thyme, black pepper, ginger, and Scotch bonnet chili pepper.
Chicken is the meat of choice for Jamaican curry. However, you can also opt for goat meat, which is another popular alternative.
The chicken is coated with a mixture of spices and fried over high heat. Potato and carrots are added to the dish as it simmers.
Most Jamaican curries have a yellow color because they use more turmeric. Plus, this version doesn’t rely heavily on chili pepper, which contributes to the redness and spiciness of the versions from other countries.
Conclusion
Curry can add a spicy kick to your meals and increase your appetite if life has been feeling bland lately. Indian and Thai curries are the most popular variations of the dish, with their intense flavors caused by the spices and herbs they use.
Most curries use chicken, pork, and beef. But North American-style curry has a turkey variation that can shake up your Thanksgiving dinner.
You can also opt for Japanese curry, which involves deep-frying pork cutlets and topping it with curry sauce. If you prefer a milder taste, though, you can make Jamaican curry, which has the perfect level of spiciness.
