Quick and easy curries

[JeanGabin]

I know you can make lovely curries from scratch, but for week nights do you have any quick curry recipes? Or ways of jujing up a jr of curry paste?

I've a great spinach and chicken curry recipe which is just about doable in 30 mins (prob nearer 45) from chetna's 30 min Indian book, thai green / red curry using the spice paste ice lollies you get from Ocado and a tin of coconut milk, or a chicken tikka with a jar of pataks but I'm currently getting really bored of my usual recipes, and no one but me likes spinach.

I seem to remember a friend from way back mixing different pastes / adding bits to make it more interesting - any ideas gratefully received!

Egg curry is quick. I use Madhur Jaffrey’s recipe.

Keema is easy too.

I do the BIR method from the curry guy for mid week curry. https://greatcurryrecipes.net/

Most of it can be made in advance.

Egg curry looks great Minnie - like an Indian shakshuka. I'll definitely give that a try

Unescorted, is that the one where you make a vat of curry sauce then freeze it and use it as a base? I did it once and it was nice, but I don't have a huge freezer unfortunately

Yes it is... Although I make in a pressure cooker with a reduced amount of water. It is easier to get it silky smooth too. Then freeze it in ice cubes. When I want to use it I just add 3 cubes and water in a jug before microwaving the whole lot.

I do prawn using petals curry paste and whatever veg is handy. Put coriander and some creamed coconut in to make it fancy....

Usually serve with colslaw with lime and chilli dressing dressing

Pataks curry paste

I do a quick dahl with the precooked packet lentils. Cuts down on a lot of the cooking time.

That sounds lovely big dahlia - any particular curry paste you use?

I should really make a pot of the bcg's sauce for freezing the next weekend I'm free.

Waves, I love a Dahl. Sadly can't get the rest of the house to eat lentils <sobs>. Whenever I go out, I eat lentils, beans, aubergine and cauliflower to make up for the lack at home

I do a quick king prawn, sweet potato and mango curry.

I add hot curry powder, fresh ginger, chunky cut onion to oil and fry, add thick pieces of sweet potato then pour in coconut milk and leave to simmer. Lid on and top up with water if it gets too dry.

Fry mango in another pan until browned then add in with the prawns near the end once the potato is tender. Garnish with coriander, freshly squeezed lime and sliced chillies to taste when served. Black onion seeds are good sprinkled over the top, if you have them to hand. You don’t really need rice as the potatoes tend to be enough.

I just use Pataks curry paste (not sauce) because it's better than any of mine cooked from scratch

I made Pad Thai earlier from scratch and that was delicious and there are no pastes to create that unique flavour for me.

I love chickpea curry

This recipe is flexible. I've made it with chicken, prawns or just veg like sweet potato/spinach etc.
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/thai-pork-peanut-curry

If I'm really short of time, aldi do a range of curry packets which are handy to have in the cupboard and delicious. I tend to just add whatever veg I have. I use 2 packs, because each one only serves 2. They also do a Thai red curry, Katsu curry and range of Indian flavours too.
https://groceries.aldi.co.uk/en-GB/p-ready-setcook-pad-thai-meal-kit-265g/4088600294308
https://groceries.aldi.co.uk/en-GB/p-ready-setcook-thai-green-curry-kit-253g/4088600294285

This Thai fish curry realfood.tesco.com/recipes/thai-red-fish-curry.html

When I’m wanting a quick one I really like a Japanese curry, cook the veg down and meat if you want and then add the curry roux blocks.

I make this one quite often, it's very quick and easy
https://www.gousto.co.uk/cookbook/chicken-recipes/one-pot-easy-chicken-biryani

I make a massive batch of Misty Ricardo's base curry sauce every couple of months, freeze in portions and then use them to make jalfrezi or korma for a weeknight curry. I also cook the chicken in advance and freeze it. This makes it super quick to put a totally homemade curry together in about 20 minutes and like with all things, the more you make it, the quicker you get.

i try to avoid UPF and especially emulsifiers so I don't buy ready made curry pastes or jars but honestly the frozen base sauce and resdy prepped chicken make it so quick any way and really tasty.

If you like Chinese curry the Makway powder and paste is excellent. You can whip up a takeaway/restaurant curry in minutes

I like this. The website has got lots of recipes I use, curries and otherwise.