Not all curries are created equal. In fact, although all of them are meant to be spicy and tasty at the same time, they vary in terms of flavour and heat (and popularity). Each sauce uses a different assortment of spices that complement the ingredients of your choice and, whether you want a vegetarian curry or choose a meat or seafood one, you have several options at your disposal.
Korma
This Indian curry traditionally goes through a long slow cooking process, which is why it can also be referred to as a method of cooking, instead of a curry. Its name actually means ‘braised’. Korma is usually made with ground almonds, coconut and, sometimes, thick cream. It is usually yellow in colour. Some recipes even add shredded coconut to the sauce.
Heat level: Mild.
Rogan Josh
Originally a Kashmiri dish, this curry graces many, if not all, curry houses. Its name derives from ‘roughan’ and ‘juš’, meaning ‘fat’ and ‘intense’, respectively. Usually a rogan josh is made with lamb and a lot of different spices, sometimes dozens of them. Its deep red colour comes from the tomatoes and the red peppers that make up this curry, which is also usually garnished with fresh tomato and coriander.
Heat level: Medium.
Madras
This curry is named after the city of Madras, in India, and tends to either be red or brown in colour. It can be rich in tomatoes or a hotter version of a simpler curry. This is because the madras curry is more of a restaurant creation instead of a traditional recipe, which means it varies greatly from restaurant to restaurant. It’s usually served with plenty of sauce and spices, mainly chilli power for heat.
Heat level: Hot.
Vindaloo
Originally a Portuguese dish, over time it was spiced up and its heat increased, so much so that it no longer resembles the original recipe, apart from the core ingredients. Its name comes from ‘vinho’ (wine) and ‘alho’ (garlic). Some places have misinterpreted the ‘alho/aloo’ part to mean potato instead of garlic, so to be an authentic vindaloo, the curry needs to be heavy in garlic.
Heat level: Very hot.
Here at Ronaq, we pride ourselves of offering delicious and spicy curries for all tastes, so if you’re looking for an Indian restaurant in Edinburgh, pay us a visit and try them for yourself. You can get in touch with us to arrange a booking, or call us on 0131 332 3362. You can also check us out on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.
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