Help! Culinary disaster, too much turmeric? Can I save it?

[AbelMancwitch]

I just made a curry and it’s absolutely inedible. I’m guessing it’s because the recipe called for 2 teaspoons of turmeric which seemed a lot but I unwisely put my faith in it... I can’t think what else would make it taste so rank. Any ideas how to save it from the bin? Seems a shame to waste so much food

What else is in it?

Turmeric isn’t a strong taste, are you sure it’s that that’s ruined it?

Can you double up as many of the other quantities as possible e.g another tin of tomatoes, more onions/garlic (softened first if possible) a little extra cumin, extra veg or lentils to bulk it out and “dilute” the turmeric. Depending on the type of curry you could also add yoghurt or coconut milk.

I really don't think it's the tumeric. Two teaspoons isn't much at all.

Actually, 2 teaspoons doesn’t sound all that much tbh, not enough to ruin a dish anyway.
How long has it been cooking ?

Won't be the turmeric...that's a pretty normal amount. Or did you put tablespoons in?

What other spices did you have in there? Mustard seeds and chilli? (That's my Jamie Oliver staple curry I use as a base). It can't just have been turmeric? Have you missed something out by mistake?

2 teaspoons would ruin it. It'd be lush.

What is the rank taste? The only way I think you could ruin curry is with asafoetida.

This is the recipe- it can only be the paste that's hideous as the rest of the recipe is just vegetables...

It tastes horribly bitter and I can't think what else it could be?

That does seem like a bit of a “fusion” curry recipe! Chinese five spice and lemongrass is a bit of a strange combination...it has elements of indian, thai and chinese curries.

If it’s bitter try adding a good teaspoon of sugar and a decent pinch of salt and some more softened shallots if you have any.

Chinese five spice is my bet

Have you made the recipe before or used all the ingredients? The ingredients that would stand out to me as strong is the 5 spice and lemon grass. Personally I don’t like either.

Have a look at all the spices and see how old they are. If they are old they may have become more bitter.

Too much turmeric gives a very earthy flavour, not bitter. Could you have burned the garlic? That goes bitter.

It is definitely a weird combination. What sort of curry is it?

Hmmm, you could try adding some lemon/lime juice, sugar and/or salt to balance out the bitter.

I use very small quantities of turmeric as I find it bitter too.

Sorry but that recipe sounds dire! 5 spice and turmeric have no business being together. Lemongrass have turmeric don’t get on that well either. In fact, 5 spice and lemongrass sounds minging.

Sorry, I’d just bin it. What a shame

Soften the bitterness with some lemon juice? I also agree that drowning out the flavour by adding tomatoes, coconut milk, something, might work

That recipe is extremely weird. I personally am most put off by the five spice powder but I agree that turmeric can be a bit bitter.

Is there any chance you burnt the spices or they are very old (as suggested by PP)? If so, probably not salvageable.

What is the rank taste? The only way I think you could ruin curry is with asafoetida.

Oh god so true. Luckily for me my MIL (Indian, as am I) puts it liberally in EVERY CURRY SHE MAKES.

Yeah, it was a slimming world recipe and I so nearly altered the recipe and used a bought Thai paste instead. Wishing I had now! I think it'll probably just have to go in the bin, I can't describe how foul it tastes...

I've never liked any of the SW curry recipes unfortunately. Always had..... an odd taste i couldn't put my finger on. Sorry have no advice OP

Has the recipe got mixed up like the episode of Friends with the shepherd's pie and trifle?

5 spice and lemongrass in the same recipe is a travesty- i feel sick just thinking about it! I don't think it can be saved.

I've poured far too much turmeric into things before; it's been okay - what else is in there? Turmeric isn't usually strong enough to ruin things. Trust me there, me and turmeric measurements don't get on!

That recipe is an abomination.