Most Popular Curry Recipes from Around The World

Food historian and author, Colleen Taylor Sen once said: “If any dish deserves to be called global, it is curry. From Newfoundland to the Antarctic, from Beijing to Warsaw, there is scarcely a place where curries are not enjoyed.”

We at Rajah tend to agree. Curry is popular all over the planet and the best curry recipes are found not just in India, but in places you’d never expect.

There is nothing like travelling to different destinations to inspire your cooking, but with lockdown restrictions keeping us more on homeground, you will have to travel via your tastebuds. We decided to set out to find popular curry dishes from around the world to bring you unexpected dinner options that will take your tongue on a global trip... So let’s go!

A Taste Of The Mediterranean

Countries like Spain and Portugal grow rich tomato crops that are exported all over the world. This is why a sweet tomato flavour is usually present in dishes originating from this region. Add to this their beautiful coastline that has fed the locals fresh fish for centuries and you have yourself seafood marinated in a rich, tomato sauce.

Mediterranean curries also incorporate a host of interesting vegetables such as aubergines, red peppers, courgettes and okra. Let us not forget that the Mediterranean is a wine country and it is often used in their curries as a substitute for vinegar or stock. Try this Seafood Curry Pot for an easy curry recipe straight from the Med. Here Rajah Medium Curry Powder adds a subtle kick to the saucy prawns, mussels and pilchards which are cooked in a delightful wine and tomato sauce.

Meat-Free African Sugar Bean Curry

Another popular curry dish hails from the African continent. Not only are legumes like sugar beans delicious, but they are also highly nutritious. Dietitians now recommend an intake of ½ a cup of legumes three times a week.

Try this inexpensive Sugar Bean Curry for a weekday dinner. This curry is perfect for meat-free Monday or when catering for vegetarian friends. Rajah Mild and Spicy Curry Powder infuses the legumes with flavour while onions and green peppers simmer together to make an irresistible sauce.

Spicy Middle Eastern Curry Kebabs

Moving North, you will find more easy curry recipes in the Middle East. Kebabs, skewers - or sosaties as we call them in South Africa - are common in Turkish cuisine. Popular Arabic spices like cumin, nutmeg, cardamom and cloves are used to marinate meat and provide a gentle heat to Middle Eastern dishes.

To keep this recipe simple we have used two tablespoons of Rajah Mild Masala Curry Powder as our premixed spice in this divine Curry and Yoghurt Marinated Chicken Skewers recipe. Served with a zingy cucumber dipping sauce these skewers are great for a starter or a snack platter on the weekend too.

South American Curry In A Hurry

Argentineans pride themselves on the tango, Evita Peron and high quality beef. A list of the world’s most popular curry dishes would not be complete if we did not include a hearty Argentinian beef curry which they call carbonada criolla. In rural Argentina, dried fruits are added to the pot to give a richness of texture and a little sweetness to the sauce.

This easy-to-prepare Flavourful Beef Curry brings you a taste of Argentina without the fuss. We have used Rajah Flavourful & Mild Curry Powder in this recipe so you don’t have to struggle to assemble a complicated spice mix. It also incorporates frozen veggies so it’s the perfect curry in a hurry. You’re welcome!

A Hot Vindaloo From South Asia

To end off our travels we would like to take you to the geographical origin of curry: India. If you can handle heat, this one is for you. Vindaloo means ‘vinegar and garlic’ and originated when Portuguese sailors brought their recipes to Goa, on the southwestern coast of India. In Goa, chillies were added and the hot Vindaloo we enjoy today is typical of this region.

Try this Veggie Vindaloo in which fresh ginger and garlic make an appearance adding to the delectable flavour notes. You can prepare this recipe with any vegetables, but try using those that hold their shape during slow cooking. Carrots, okra (lady fingers), sweetcorn, cauliflower, green beans, peas, baby potatoes and courgettes (baby marrow) work really well and taste divine. Serve your veggie vindaloo with poppadums for an authentic Indian experience.

Charm Your Tastebuds

Your taste buds are certainly going on an adventure if you try these popular curry recipes at home this week. From East to West, North to South, we have set out to delight you with irresistible curry from around the world. Enjoy!