Basic Curry Powder Recipe

Spices often used in curry powder

In India and other curry-loving countries, cooks usually combine a variety of single spices to make their own curry blends rather than buying a commercial curry powder. In fact, "curry" in India refers to sauces that are made from many different spices, rather than the dry spice blend sold in US supermarkets.

Other countries have their own distinctive styles of curry sauces, including Thailand and other Asian countries, some West Indian nations including Jamaica, and African countries such as Mozambique and South Africa.

The following is a basic, all-purpose blend of spices that you can use to create your own personalized, signature curry powder. Give it a taste and use it "as is" or customize it by increasing or decreasing the amount of one or more of the spices. You can even omit or substitute for one or more of the listed spices. Follow your taste buds and use your imagination.

Store this homemade curry powder in an airtight container and it will keep for months. The fresher the spices you use, the better and "fuller" the flavor.

Ingredients
3Tbs ground coriander
2 Tbs ground turmeric
2 Tbs ground cumin
2 Tbs ground cardamom
1 Tbs ground fenugreek
2 tsp ground red pepper or cayenne
2 tsp ground black or white pepper
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground fennel
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp ground (dry) mustard

Combine all ingredients in a small lidded jar or small plastic storage container and shake vigorously until thoroughly mixed, OR stir with a fork until thoroughly mixed.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

PS: If you adore curry but don't want to spend the time blending your own spices, instead of buying commercial curry powder at the grocery store, which might be old and bland from sitting on the shelf for months, a better alternative is to buy organic curry powder online.

PPS: If you're interested in trying a West Indian style curry sauce, try Walkerswood Spicy West Indian Curry Paste. And for a lusciously exotic, tropical curry that helps tenderize tough cuts of meat, use Spice Exchange Papaya Curry Sauce & Marinade