curry-powder

A chef sprinkles curry-powder into a simmering pot.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A blend of spices: "curry-powder" is a commercially prepared mixture of ground spices, typically including turmeric, cumin, coriander, ginger, and chili, used to flavor dishes, especially those associated with South Asian cuisine.
   • A culinary ingredient: It refers to the powdered spice mix itself, sold in jars or packets, used to add color and heat to curries, stews, or sauces.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • She added a teaspoon of curry-powder to the chicken stew for extra flavor. (She used the spice blend to season the dish.)
  • The recipe calls for two tablespoons of curry-powder, but you can adjust it to your taste. (The ingredient is measured for cooking.)

Advanced Usage

• "to make curry-powder from scratch": to prepare the spice blend at home by grinding individual spices.
  • He prefers to make curry-powder from scratch using fresh coriander seeds and cumin. (He creates the blend himself rather than buying it pre-made.)
• "curry-powder's heat level": the spiciness of the blend, which varies by brand or recipe.
  • The curry-powder from this brand is mild, so you might need extra chili for a hotter dish. (The blend's spiciness is low.)

Variants and Related Words

• Curry (n): a dish cooked with a sauce flavored with spices, often including meat or vegetables.
  • We had a delicious chicken curry for dinner. (The dish itself, not just the powder.)
• Curry-paste (n): a wet, concentrated blend of spices and other ingredients (e.g., garlic, ginger, oil) used similarly to curry-powder.
  • Thai green curry-paste is made with fresh herbs and spices. (A different form of the spice mix.)

Synonyms

• Spice blend: a mixture of various ground spices.
• Curry mix: a commercial or homemade combination of spices for curries.

Related Idioms

• "Curry favor": to seek to gain advantage by flattery or ingratiating behavior (note: this idiom does not involve "curry-powder" directly; it is a separate expression using "curry" as a verb meaning "to groom a horse").
  • He tried to curry favor with the boss by bringing coffee every morning. (He attempted to win approval through flattery.)

Phrasal Verbs

• (None directly associated with "curry-powder" as a noun; it is not used as a verb.)