13 June, 2010

Curry Week!

Frontier Cardamom Pods, Green, Whole, Extract Fancy Grade, 16 Ounce BagIt's finally here, curry week!

Curry is an interesting subject.  After all, it describes such a wide variety of dishes.  There are yellow, red, and green curries.  There are sweet curries and spicy curries.  The variety of countries boasting an array of delicious curries is staggering.

Fenugreek Leaves - 1.5 Oz Jar EachWars, oh so many wars, have been fought over the spices that go into curry.  History has turned on the whims of those who love curry.  Curry is the culmination of the combined spice, and in the words of Frank Herbert, "He who controls it, controls our destiny."
Frontier Cinnamon Sticks 2 3/4", 16 Ounce Bags (Pack of 2)
This week, we will be making a variety of curries.  This, like every week's meal, has everything you need for a balanced diet.  Lean protein, green and orange vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and just a dash of dairy.  The bonus is, of course, that it even includes dessert and really, curry is EASY!

El Guapo Ginger Whole - Mexican Spice, 1.25 Oz (Pack of 12)Curry is one of the simplest things you can throw together.  Got a few ingredients and don't know what to do with them?  Curry!  Want to impress you in-laws or your sister?  Curry!

Frontier Natural Products, Whole Cumin Seed, 16 Ounce Bags (Pack of 2)Unlike most dishes, curry's success depends much less upon the quality of your fruits and vegetables and much more on the quality of your spices.  Curries developed in parts of the world where the weather is hot and wet, which meant that food tended to spoil faster.  However, those glorious spices could disguise the taste of even the most withered yam, and as a result we have the amazing, the spectacular, the splendiferous curries we enjoy today.  There are curry leaves, and they are in many curries, but the flavor that really makes curry taste like CURRY is fenugreek.  Why don't we call it a fenugreek instead of a curry?  I have no idea.  But however the confusion came about, thank goodness for the Indian subcontinent!  Thank goodness for the Carribean!  Thank goodness for Thailand!  THANK GOODNESS FOR CURRY!

Fresh Curry Leaves - Fresh South Indian and Sri Lankan Herb - Citrus AromaThis Week's Menu:
 Saffron Rice
Daal
Sweet Potato Carrot Curry
Not / Chicken Massaman Curry
Vanilla Raita
Sweet Lassi

 The Grocery List:

  • 1/2 lb red lentils
  • 5 carrots
  • 1 sweet potato
  • 1 lb boneless chicken OR 12 oz chicken substitute (I like Veet for this recipe!)
  • 1 quart vanilla yogurt
  • 1 cucumber
  • 1 lemon
  • 1 can thick coconut milk
  • 1 can black eyed peas
  • 1 small fresh ginger root
  • 1 green bell pepper
  • 4 shallots

No comments:

Post a Comment