Substitutes for Curry Powder
Curry powder isn't comprised of a single spice-- it's a blend, like pumpkin pie spice or poultry seasoning. Unlike those common blends, though, curry powder comes in almost as many varieties as there are people who enjoy it. Finding a substitute for curry powder simply involves mixing your own version of it from spices that you probably have in your kitchen. Preparing your own curry blend allows you to tailor the finished dish to your taste. Does this Spark an idea?
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Garam Masala
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Garam masala means "hot spice mix" in Hindi. In this case, hot refers to toasting the spices before grinding, although many garam masalas also contain hot spices like cayenne pepper. Every chef has his own favored blend of garam masala, so substituting your own spice mix for pre-mixed curry powder brings you closer to authentic Indian cuisine. Mix your own version from a combination of cumin, cardamom, coriander, black pepper, nutmeg, clove and cinnamon. If you're working with whole spices, toast them in a dry frying pan over low heat to bring out their flavors before grinding them.
Madras Curry
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Sometimes known as red curry, Madras curry typically contains fenugreek and turmeric in addition to the staple curry spices of cardamom, coriander, cinnamon and black pepper. Madras curry dishes get their red hue from red chilies and tomato, not from the spice itself. Substitute a homemade Madras curry powder for any dish that calls for red curry powder. Add turmeric and fenugreek to a blend of coriander, cinnamon, black pepper, cumin and cardamom for homemade Madras curry; if you have no fenugreek, use annatto or mustard seed.
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Thai Curry
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Thailand's curries involve adding fresh chilies and bright flavor notes like lime, lemongrass and cilantro. They're lighter on the spices that European and American palates associate with sweets like cinnamon, clove and nutmeg. Make your own Thai curry with coriander, powdered ginger and turmeric, if you have it. Omit the cinnamon and cardamom in favor of more cumin and citrus flavors from lime or lemon zest. Shrimp paste is another common element of a Thai curry, so if you have some on hand, add it to the spice powder for a more authentic flavor.
Yellow Curry
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Most of the packaged curry powder blends you'll find are yellow curry powders. Yellow curry relies heavily on turmeric; this yellow powder adds inexpensive bulk to prepared mixtures. Increase the amount of turmeric relative to other spices if you want the finished curry to have a strong yellow hue. Its pleasantly bitter but mild flavor won't overwhelm a dish in larger amounts. Add a small amount of saffron if you'd like to intensify the yellow color and impart saffron's characteristic flavor.
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References
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