Curry Pastes

Curry pastes are a mixture of spices blended together to form a fairly smooth mixture. Generally the pastes are used in Thai and Indian cooking. The ingredients used in an Indian curry paste often include cumin, turmeric, chilli, cloves, coriander, garlic and onions. The mixtures are sometimes preserved in oil to last longer.

Curry pastes are substitutes for dry ground spices and the quantities used are similar to the dried variety. So, like the dried version, the paste should be used sparingly. For example, one average, one teaspoon of paste is enough for a curry serving two people. Curry pastes should not be confused with Curry sauces which are available in large jars and are the complete base for a curry dish.

Readymade curry pastes are available, but for the full flavour and a teeny bit of effort, you can make your own. Curry pastes are deeply rewarding and the aromas of the herbs and spices are released as you create your own concoction. Curry pastes are extremely versatile and can also be used as marinades.

Decades ago, making pastes used to be a back breaking exercise when they were prepared in a pestle and mortar; however, I prepare my pastes in a food processor.

Home made pastes can be stored in the refrigerator for 4 weeks or can be stored in 3-4 tsp individual portions in small sealed containers wrapped in plastic in the freezer for 3 months.

Manju’s Medium Curry Paste

Makes 15-16 tsp of curry paste

7 tbsp vegetable oil

8-10 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 medium sized onion, finely chopped

2 tbsp malt vinegar

1 tsp chilli powder

2 tsp ground coriander

2 tsp turmeric

2 tsp ground cumin

3 tsp peeled and grated root ginger

Heat 6 tablespoons of the oil and add the garlic and onion and fry for 7 minutes until golden brown.

Allow the onion mixture to cool down and then place in a blender along with the remaining ingredients including the 1 tablespoon of oil and blend till it becomes a coarse paste.

Put the ingredients in a jar.

Store in the refrigerator for a month.

1 tsp of curry paste makes a dish for 2 people.