Curry in Indian Cuisine

Whenever I think of Indian cuisine, the first thing that comes to mind is that savory combination of spices we call curry. Although many of us purchase a little spice bottle with the label "curry powder" and stick it into the cupboard where it can sit for months or even years without being used, any self respecting Indian cook would look aghast at sprinkling such a stale mixture into a freshly prepared combination of vegetables with or without meat. Some of these videos I have added to this article show what exactly curry powder is made from and how to ensure that the curry powder you use is as fresh as can be. You will see people preparing the mixture in an Indian spice factory and pressure sealing it so that it comes to us with its flavors intact. You will also see Indian chefs preparing their own curry mixtures that they then add to their flavorful dishes. You will be delighted to learn some new recipes along the way. Come along with me into the wonderful world of Indian culinary delights. 

I found this tour of a spice factory in India fascinating. Working with the colors and the fragrances of the spices must be a very sensual experience. The next videos focus more on the eating side of things. Grinding your own spices -- which some of us may find daunting -- and using the spices in recipes are shown in these videos. You will be led on these culinary journeys with some interesting guides. Ready to come along?

Spices

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Although I've only recently discovered this Indian cooking duo, I find them delightful to watch. They are lovely and interesting. They would be fun to spend time with in the kitchen or even just at a social event. Most importantly, they are wonderful cooks and they inspire confidence in the viewer that, yes, Indian cooking is something we can tackle. It requires many ingredients we already have at hand. For those ingredients that appear to a European or North American audience as exotic, such as banana leaves, these two ladies offer alternate options. They also emphasize the importance of using fresh spices, the lack of which is probably the main reason so many of us who attempt cooking Indian dishes end up with lacklustre results. I have included a video of their cooking show and have also added links to some of their recipes that you can print out and use.

These recipes make me eager to get into the kitchen and start chopping. I'm thinking of trying to grind a few spices in my kitchen, too. How about you? Have you been inspired to try one of these recipes at home? Please leave me a message below to share your thoughts and experiences with Indian cooking.