"Janet" > wrote in message
...
> In article >, says...
>>
>> On 20-Mar-2012, (z z) wrote:
>>
>> > I always thought "a curry" was a noun for a particular dish made from a
>> > particular recipe. Curry powder to me is an adjective describing a
>> > certain yellowish spice.
>>
>> My local (STL) supermarket has 9 different powders labelled curry; the
>> colors range from yellow to redish brown and three different "heat"
>> levels.
>> We also have an international grocer nearby, it has even more curry
>> "powders"; three varieties (Madras, Medium and Hot) of Rajah brand in
>> just
>> the England aisle.
>
> Curry powder is to curry, as a bouillon cube is to stock. It's an instant
> "convenience" short cut. The real thing is far more subtle and variable.
> India used to be part of the British Empire; many colonialists acquired
> a taste for curries which they brought back home to Britain. Ready-mix
> curry powders came with them for their home cooks to use. But it's not,
> what people in India use.
>
> Indian cooks don't use a single curry powder; every housewife and cook
> has a masala collection of different spices/seeds etc and grinds and
> prepares different combinations for different tastes according to what
> she's cooking.Just like any other huge continent, Indian cookery varies
> hugely by region and culture so depending which region the cook comes
> from, curry dishes might be very mild and delicate or fiercely hot.
>
> If you want to make a start on cooking real curry, I recommend getting
> yourself a basic masala set like this.
>
> http://www.ppk.me.uk/bina/dabba.htm
>
> Janet
>

That's a nifty spice storage gadget, for sure! But what do you do when the
spices run out? I guess I'd have to order online from spicehouse.com or
penzey's. I know my local supermarket doesn't carry garam masala, funugreek
or cinnamon sticks. I'm not even sure they carry ground coriander. As much
as I love Publix supermarket, they have a rather limited spice section.

Do you know if the Bina site ships to the US? I sent them an email to
inquire, but I only see mention on the site about additional postage if
outside the UK but in EU. I ask because my oldest brother has a birthday
coming up. He loves to cook and loves different types of curries. I think
this would make a very nice gift!

Jill