What are curries?

"Curry" is a bit of a tricky word to define because it doesn't actually refer to a single dish. It's more of a catch-all term for a wide variety of dishes that share a few common characteristics:

Key Characteristics:

* Flavor Profile: Curries typically feature a complex blend of spices, including turmeric, cumin, coriander, ginger, garlic, and chili peppers. The specific spices and their proportions vary widely, resulting in a huge spectrum of flavors.

* Sauce or Gravy: Most curries involve a sauce or gravy that coats the main ingredients. The base of this sauce can be made from coconut milk, yogurt, tomatoes, or other ingredients, and can be thin and soupy or thick and creamy.

* Main Ingredients: Curries can feature a wide array of ingredients, including meat, poultry, seafood, vegetables, legumes, and even fruits.

The Misconception:

The word "curry" is often used interchangeably with "curry powder," which is a pre-mixed blend of spices. However, many curries are made with fresh spices and don't use curry powder at all.

Regional Variation:

Curries are incredibly diverse, reflecting the vast culinary traditions of different regions. Some examples include:

* Indian Curries: Famous for their rich, aromatic flavors and often feature ingredients like garam masala, chilies, and yogurt.

* Thai Curries: Known for their balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors, often featuring coconut milk, lemongrass, and galangal.

* Japanese Curry: A mild, savory curry that is typically made with meat and vegetables in a thick gravy.

In Conclusion:

"Curry" is a broad term that encompasses a huge range of dishes from across the globe. Instead of trying to define it with a single definition, it's best to think of it as a category of food with shared characteristics but immense diversity.