When I was growing up my mum made pretty much everything from scratch, to the point that I was astounded you could buy things like white sauce and pasta sauce in a jar, I didn’t realise some people bought jars of sauce. Being half Sri-Lankan jars of curry sauce were a definite no-no too, from quite a young age my Sri-Lanka grandmother, known as Archie talked to me about spices and I used to watch her cook all kinds of colourful, fragrant dishes. It is these spices that often flavour my cooking today.
Now in my kitchen my collection of spices is one of my most used things and I have a special tin for my most used “everyday curry spices”: tumeric, cumin, coriander, ginger, chilli flakes and cardomon pods are always in there.
Not everyone knows how to cook a curry from scratch, which is a shame as it tastes so amazing when done from fresh spices. With the run up to Christmas I’ve been thinking about homemade presents. So when I saw the Recipe Redux B theme for this month “Adding Merriment to Mixes” I got thinking…. I can’t make everyone a curry but I could make up spice jars that can be used with instructions to make a curry, what better way to use up that leftover turkey than a delicious curry?
So here is my unique curry spice blend. I love the fact the layered spices in the glass jar look like coloured sands. Pretty 🙂
- 2 tsp mustard seeds
- 1 tsp fenugreek
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp tumeric
- 1 tsp coriander
- 2 cardamon pods
- 3 cloves
- Heat 1 tsp oil and add the mustard seeds and fenugreek, reduce the heat to medium. The seeds will start to pop.
- Quickly tip in the jar of spices, cook for a couple of minutes and then add your choice of meat (100g per person).
- Once coated in the spices add in either 400g chopped tomatoes or 400ml coconut milk.
- Now add your choice of vegetables and simmer for 30 minutes.
- Cooked or uncooked meat is fine for this.
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This post comes at just the right time for me as there’s only a dusting of my last blend of curry powder left in my pot. I shall make this one up to replenish it 🙂 Thanks for linking up with #recipeoftheweek. I’ve pinned this post and there’s a fresh linky live now – would be great to see you join in again x
I love the spice blends for curries. This sounds like an awesome gift!
You are SO RIGHT about turkey curry. YUM! And I can vouch for how lush your curries are 😀
We must eat curry again together soon! Thanks lovely x
I love curry and make it regularly. I love your idea as Christmas presents. Popping over from Recipe of the week
Thanks so much 🙂 Curry rocks!
Simple idea for using the curry! Love it! And now I know what to do with the fennugreek seeds hanging out in my spice drawer!
Thank you Priya! I will be noted this blend for all year round. Love the fragrant smell of spices toasting when you start off a curry
Oh I hope you enjoy it Emma 🙂 We made a fish curry in a similar manner today but with tamarind and coconut milk.
I’ve never really been overly impressed with many pre-packed curry blends, they always seem to mustardy. Actually the only one I ever really like was a local one I got from a farmers market but then they went out of business. So I think I’ll have to try yours out because it looks fantastic.
Thanks so much Glenda, I hope you like it 🙂
We love curry. This would be a great gift and introduction into curry for someone.
Thankyou, indeed I think it would be a great way for a person new to cooking curry to try it out, aves buying packs of all of the spices.
Love to hear the backstory on your curry blend – sounds wonderful and I bet it smells amazing too 🙂
Thankyou Deanna, it certainly does!
A Christmas Curry! Such a unique idea. Thanks for sharing this wonderful DIY gift and recipe!!!!
Thankyou so much!