Curry pastes are spice blends that owe their pasty texture to the addition of oil. In Asian cuisine, curry pastes play a very important role. They are the basis for the curry dishes of India, Thailand, and other Asian countries. Via England, curry pastes also made their way to Japan. Meanwhile, Japanese curry dishes have become indispensable in the local cuisine.
But curry pastes can also be used very well as a spice in other cuisines to give dishes an aromatic variety or an exotic kick.
Here we provide an overview of the possible uses of curry pastes:
- Curry dishes of Asian cuisines: Curry pastes give the respective curry dishes their specific flavor with their special combination of spices and also define the spiciness level of the dish.
- Wok dishes: Curry paste gives wok dishes a special kick. It goes well with wok dishes containing vegetables, tofu, chicken, beef, or seafood. Its easy use allows for quickly prepared and delicious wok dishes.
- Marinades: Curry paste can be used as a base for marinades for meat, poultry, or seafood. The aromatic combination of herbs and spices in the paste gives the ingredients a rich flavor, especially when allowed to marinate for some time before cooking.
- Soup and Stew Bases: Curry paste can be added as a seasoning to soups and stews to create a hearty and aromatic broth. Whether it's a Thai-inspired coconut curry soup or an Indian-inspired lentil stew, curry paste can enhance the flavor of the dish.
- Dressings and dip sauces: Curry paste can be incorporated into salad dressings or dip sauces, giving them a unique and exotic touch.
- Grilling and roasting: Use curry paste as a rub or marinade for grilled meat or roasted vegetables.
- Pasta dishes: For an extra flavor kick, curry paste can be added to pasta dishes such as Thai or Indonesian noodle soups or fried noodles.
- Rice dishes: Mix curry paste with rice or use it as a seasoning for rice dishes to give the grains a delicious curry flavor.
If you don't want too exotic a note in your dish, but want a bit more aromatic complexity, it is advisable to add just enough of the curry paste so that the flavor is just noticeable.
-> To our Thai and Indian curry pastes
-> To our Japanese curry paste
