The 20 Best Curry Recipes | Curry

It was dal who did it, in Luton, Lucknow, London. When the raisin-filled school dinners of my childhood were replaced by sophisticated South Asian cuisine. Here, too, we celebrate something from the wider world of curry: recipes from Nigeria, Japan, Vietnam, the Caribbean. From Uyen Luu’s ginger duck to Shuko Oda’s keema curry, as well as Asma Khan’s saag paneer and Lopè Ariyo’s lamb. There is a pumpkin curry, a prawn curry, a black-eyed bean curry; Vivek Singh’s perfect vindaloo, Meera Sodha’s tomato curry and Madhur Jaffrey’s incomparable chicken korma. In short, the 20 best curry dishes from some of the best cookery writers.

A rich, satisfying, meatless weeknight meal that can be eaten with bread or rice.

The acidity of fermented dairy works with the Maillard reaction to create sweet-sour flavor and new aroma molecules in vegetables.

Roasted cauliflower in turmeric kefir.Roasted cauliflower in turmeric kefir. Photography: Nik Sharma

This intense Goan curry is the authentic McCoy, true to its Portuguese origins without potatoes.

Vindalho Pig by Vivek Singh.  Gastronomic styling: Livia Abraham.  Prop Styling: Penis Parker.Pork vindalho. Photograph: Jean Cazals/The Observer

This canned roasting version of the comfort dish uses Egyptian red lentils to avoid pre-soaking, with added limes for a spicy kick.

Rukmini Iyer's Coconut Lime Dal.Lime and coconut dal. Cinematography: David Loftus

Traditionally in southern Thailand, this vibrant curry is made with goat, but this version uses chicken.

Wichet Khongphoon Thai Green Curry.  Gastronomic styling: Livia Abraham.  Prop Styling: Penis Parker.Kaeng khiao wan: Thai green curry. Photograph: Jean Cazals/The Observer

The simplicity of this Pakistani Punjab dish is a celebration of what the land has to offer.

Punjabi aloo gosht.Punjabi aloo gosht. Cinematography: Joanna Yee

You can keep this dish vegan or customize it with a poached egg or grilled lamb chop.

Curried Coconut Chickpeas and Roasted Maple Winter Ground Spices provided by Andi Oliver.  Gastronomic styling: Livia Abraham.  Prop Styling: Penis Parker.Curried Coconut Chickpeas and Roasted Maple Spiced Winter Ground Provision. Photograph: Jean Cazals/The Observer

Perfect for a family gathering – use filleted fish to make things easier for you and your guests.

macher jhol.Macher jhol: Bengali fish curry. Cinematography: Kim Lightbody

Store-bought curry pastes are no match for taking the time to grind fresh spices for this complex and aromatic dish.

Gaeng massaman by Kay Plunkett-Hogge.  Gastronomic styling: Livia Abraham.  Prop Styling: Penis Parker.Gaeng massaman – massaman curry. Photograph: Jean Cazals/The Observer

This mild Sri Lankan dish evokes sunny days in Colombo.

Crispy fried eggs with coconut curry and coriander sambol from Ravinder Bhogal.  Gastronomic styling: Livia Abraham.  Prop Styling: Penis Parker.Crispy fried eggs with coconut curry and coriander sambol. Photograph: Jean Cazals/The Observer

This fragrant vegan dish is a delicious way to cook any type of pumpkin.

Shwe payon thee hin (pumpkin curry) by Amy and Emily Chung.Shwe payon thee hin: pumpkin curry. Photography: Martin Poole

A great treat on cold winter nights with the comfort of melting potatoes and succulent eggplant.

Duck curry with aubergine and bamboo from Uyen Luu.  Gastronomic styling: Livia Abraham.  Prop Styling: Penis Parker.Duck curry with aubergine and bamboo. Photograph: Jean Cazals/The Observer

The homemade massalé blend used here evokes the aromatic spice gardens of the Seychelles.

Prawns with tamarind and coconut (cari koko) by Selina Periampillai.Seychelles cari koko – prawns with tamarind and coconut.
Photography: Yuki Sugiura

A rich and creamy dish of authentic Indian feast.

Royal chicken korma (shahi murgh korma) from Madhur Jaffrey.  Gastronomic styling: Livia Abraham.  Prop Styling: Penis Parker.Shahi murgh korma – real chicken korma. Photograph: Jean Cazals/The Observer

A Nigerian street staple is transformed into a memorable home-cooked dish.

His lamb curry from Lopè Ariyo.Suya lamb curry. Cinematography: Ellis Parrinder

The sweetness and tartness of tomatoes combine with classic pickling spices in this luxurious vegan dish.

Meera Sodha's Tomato Curry.Tomato curry. Cinematography: David Loftus

The umami flavors of this milder spicy keema are thanks to a fish-based dashi.

Dashi keema curry with onsen egg tamago by Shuko Oda.  Gastronomic styling: Livia Abraham.  Prop Styling: Penis Parker.Dashi keema curry with onsen tamago egg. Photograph: Jean Cazals/The Observer

The addition of dark chocolate gives this dish extra complexity.

Aubergine curry, coleslaw and roti from Marie Mitchell.Aubergine curry, coleslaw and roti. Photo: Romas Foord/The Observer

This timeless Mughal recipe should be served with Indian bread or rice and a bowl of yogurt.

Mughlai lamb with spinach.Paalag gosht from Masroor Ahmed: Mughlai lamb. Photography: William Lingwood

This spicy vegan dish is incredibly popular at the Refugee Community Kitchen.

Lobia – black eyed bean curry, by Sam Jones.  Gastronomic styling: Livia Abraham.  Prop Styling: Penis Parker.Punjabi lobia – black-eyed bean curry. Photograph: Jean Cazals/The Observer

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