How much chilli?

[StCharlotte]

I'm making a curry (first time for everything) for two and the recipe calls for medium curry paste. I could only get mild curry paste.

I was going to add some crushed chillis but how much? A teaspoon? I'm not one for hot curries but would like to spice it up a bit. Any pointers would be appreciated, thanks.

If you've never done it before, I'd add a very low dose of heat - perhaps half a tsp of cayenne? There's always next time.

Thank you

I'd put one fresh chilli minus seeds and half a tea spoon of dried chilli
Lots of flavour not too much heat.... if it's too hot add yogurt a tbs or so

Curry pastes and crushed chillies can both vary a lot. Personally I would do just the curry paste to start with, then taste when it's almost done and add a scant half teaspoon of chilli or cayenne if needed. Or if you are more confident, add the half teaspoon at the beginning, then taste and be prepared to add more later.

I find curry pastes tend to be hotter than powders and there is no real standard hotness for mild/medium etc.

If they’re dried chilli flakes from say Tesco then a teaspoon might be too little. If they’re dried chillis from a Chinese supermarket then one flake will be burning

I wouldn't use chilli flakes or crushed chillis. Perhaps add 2 freshly chopped green chilli peppers or 1 tsp of hot chilli powder instead.

Thanks all. Because I'm a coward I only used about half a teaspoon of chilli flakes (as that's all I had) which obviously didn't touch the sides. Curry was still nice though

I'm trying to expand my repertoire so need to stock up on more spices.

If you are using fresh chilli taste it raw first. By just removing the membrane doesn't mean the pepper itself isn't hot. I've found it's the only way to gauge how much to add.