Many countries around the world have embraced a love of curry, and the origins of the curry recipes are equally diverse. They did not all originate in one country, such as India, but came from all the countries of the Indian sub-continent; then there’s a whole different set of curries which were invented in Asian countries such as Thailand and China. As people moved from place to place and settled in new lands, their curry recipes changed to reflect the local tastes and ingredients. So nowadays, although there is, for example, a curry in the UK called the chicken madras, it is nothing like any traditional recipe for a curry you might find in the Indian city of Madras (now called Chennai). And undoubtedly there are numerous other examples like this.
Here’s my top five list of easy chicken curry recipes, which highlights some of the more well-known curries from around the world. Who knows, next time you are in need of a spicy mealtime idea, one of these might be just what you are looking for.
Chicken Vindaloo – an almost overpoweringly hot curry, which most sane people tend to avoid. This one is best left to drunken males who want to prove how macho they are! The flavors are delicious however, with the main character of the chicken vindaloo sauce being vinegar, garlic and a lovely mix of herbs and spices called garam masala. Occasionally, you will find a restaurant which adds potatoes in the mistaken belief that the “aloo” ending calls for this; aloo means potato in Hindi. Actually, the vindaloo name is derived from the Portuguese “vin” (vinegar) and “alho” (garlic).
Chicken Madras – this is a relatively hot curry with loads of chilies, but is one which can be eaten without the pain you might endure eating a vindaloo. Chicken madras is normally a red or brown curry and the major components in the sauce are coconut and tomatoes along with the various spices.
Chicken Tikka Masala – this one is a medium or mild curry which can be enjoyed by everybody. It is particularly popular in Britain, which is where it was first devised. A chicken tikka masala is made by first marinating diced chicken in a herb and spice laced yogurt, and then cooking in the curry sauce which is a cream and tomato based gravy. The color can vary widely depending on which restaurant you go to, from a pale orange to dark red.
Chicken Korma – a particularly mild curry, and one usually chosen by people who have a problem with hot spicy food, or they just don’t have a sense of adventure! Most chicken korma recipes are made using yogurt as the base for the curry sauce, which contains a mixture of aromatic herbs, and the extra ingredient is almonds, although many recipes these days also add cashews.
Thai Green Chicken Curry – this one is from Thailand, and tastes totally different from any of the curries you would find in India or its neighboring countries. The herbs and spices used tend to be fresh ones rather than dry powders or seeds, so a Thai green curry is normally made using coconut milk as the base with chili, lemongrass, garlic and cilantro, and sometimes a few other ingredients such as galangal and lime juice.
So in future you will know what to do when the hunger kicks in and you feel like having a meal with a bit of a chili kick to it – just go for a curry!
