If you’ve ever devoured a bowl of curry, you’ll know how comforting, warming and satisfying it is. Whether you like your curry mild and creamy and served on a bed of fluffy rice, or punchy and packed with spice, served with a side of naan, this Indian staple always makes for a mouthwatering meal. But what makes an authentic curry? Here, we outline the key to creating genuine Indian cuisine.
The foundation
Curries start with the spice. If you’re looking to make a truly authentic curry, you’ll create your own spice blend, which might include cumin, coriander, fenugreek, ginger and garlic. If you want to make a particular dish – a korma, madras or tikka masala for example – you can find the key ingredients for your spice mix online.
Marinate!
Whether you’re using meat, tofu or another protein for your dish, marinate it in yoghurt, garlic paste and some of your spice blend for a few hours before cooking. This will deliver extra flavour and tenderness.
Temper
Tempering spices is the best way to add full, rich flavours to an authentic curry. Heat up some butter, ghee or olive oil and add whole spices such as cumin seeds, curry leaves or cardamom pods. Let them sizzle away for one to two minutes – be sure not to burn them! – and only move on to the next step in your cooking when they have released their aroma.
Build a deeper flavour
Most curries are built on three core ingredients: onion, garlic and ginger. These are the next things to go into the pan, after your whole spices. Sauté them on a low heat until the onion is translucent before adding your base. This might be tomatoes, lentils or cream/coconut milk. Next add your powder spice blend. The slower you cook your curry, the better the flavour will be.
Add your meat or veg
Now you can add your marinated meat or tofu and/or your vegetables. You can also add water here if necessary to make your sauce thinner.
Balance flavours
The best Indian cuisine in London restaurants has perfectly balanced flavours, with sweet, sour and umami all coming through. You can achieve this by adding a little sugar or jaggery to sweeten onions and garlic, stock for an umami kick and tamarind or Amchoor (mango powder) for sourness. If you want to add a creamy flavour to a curry with a tomato or lentil base, pop in some yoghurt, coconut milk or cream.
While cooking a curry at home can be a fun and creative experience, sometimes it’s nice just to let a professional deliver your favourite curry with the perfect blend of spices and balance of flavours. If you’re looking for the most authentic Indian restaurant in London, book a table at Little India on Gloucester Road in Kensington. With our exceptional service and a varied menu drawing on cuisine from across the Indian subcontinent, we’re one of London’s finest Indian dining establishments.
