Photo, Erik Putz.
However you prepare it and wherever you're from, curry has no one definition. It can mean leaves from the curry tree, often used to flavour curry-based dishes that originated in the Indian subcontinent and South Asia, or curry powder, a mix based off Indian cuisine's use of varied spice blends in cooking but is largely a Western invention borne of British colonialism.
Curries can differ from kitchen to kitchen and region to region: you'll find different styles across India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, China, Japan, Southeast Asia and more, each with their own complex flavour profiles and style. There are wet and dry curries; curries packed with heat and mild ones that verge on sweet. Here are some simple recipes that make the most out of curry powders and pastes.
This hearty vegetarian curry uses paneer, a fresh cheese you can find in grocery stores that is regularly used in Indian cooking. Get our paneer and carrot curry recipe.
Photo, Erik Putz.Serve this green curry with basmati rice, and top it off with a bit of cilantro to finish. Get this coconut green fish curry recipe.
Photo, Erik Putz.Find loads of vegetables, packed into an aromatic and delicious sauce, in this recipe. Serving tip: Make this meal gluten-free by serving the curry over basmati rice. Get this creamy vegetable coconut curry recipe.
Photo, Sian Richards.Golden roasted chicken over a rich, smooth sauce with a side of oven-roasted chickpeas makes this main a showstopper for entertaining. Get this creamy chicken curry recipe.
Photo, Sian Richards.This is a rich, medium-spicy curry so well rounded and delicious we could eat it every day. Get this Goan halibut coconut curry recipe.
Photo, Roberto Caruso.This is a healthy, protein-rich vegetarian dish that will warm you up and keep the cold weather at bay. Get this chickpea curry with cucumber recipe.
(Photo: Jim Norton)This dish is both bright and mellow, thanks in part to the addition of punchy curry powder and rich coconut milk. The trio of carrots, potatoes and peas helps the meal come together easily with fridge and pantry staples. Get this Hong Kong chicken curry recipe.
Photo, Roberto Caruso.Japanese curry is different from other curries because it starts with a flour-butter paste, so the end result is creamier and thicker. It’s also a touch sweeter, which makes this dish very kid-friendly. Get this Japanese tofu curry recipe.
Photo, Roberto Caruso.This gluten-free, one-pot recipe is perfect for busy weeknights. And it won’t clutter the kitchen, so you can focus on prime-time me time. Get this chickpea and sweet potato curry recipe.
Photo, Roberto Caruso.Coconut milk stands in for cream in this chowder-esque fish curry. It comes together quickly and will fit into your weekday dinner rotation with ease. Get this Thai fish curry recipe.
Photo, Roberto Caruso.We’ve given this curry an autumn twist with large chunks of acorn squash, one of our favourite fall gourds. Get this shrimp and squash curry recipe.
Photo, Erik Putz.Looking to amp up your veggie intake? Slot an extra vegetable curry into your repertoire. Get this harvest vegetable curry recipe.
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