Garlic Curry

Garlic curry is a unique curry prepared with the cloves of garlic and Indian spices. The dish is relatively unknown and is not a part of  everyday cuisine in the Indian subcontinent. The curry is prepared and consumed mostly in the Southern states of India where the pungency of the garlic pods is highlighted by use of hot chili powder and accompanying spices. Shallots or small sized onions are often added as the secondary ingredient to the curry which is favored as a home remedy for curing coughs and common cold.

The curried garlic is more popular as a dip or sauce in the western World and is often added to meat or fish dishes. It is usually served with rice and a yogurt-based preparation accompanying it.

Overview of Garlic Curry Recipes

The customary method of cooking the curry is to fry fennel and fenugreek seeds in hot oil along with onions, dried red chilies and curry leaves. Turmeric and chili powder are added along with chopped tomato before sautéing them into a mushy pulp. Tamarind extract along with some garlic paste is stirred in next and whole cloves of garlic added to the simmering gravy. The curry is ready to be removed from heat after cooking over slow fire for about ten minutes.

Popular Variations of Garlic Curry Recipes

There are not too many variations of the curry since garlic is usually preferred as a spice instead of the primary ingredient in a curry. Some of the  popular forms of curried garlic include:-
 

• Chettinad Poondu Kuzhambu- This is a specialty of the Chettinad cuisine belonging to the south of India. It is prepared with powdered spices and tamarind extract along with sambar powder. Jaggery is often added to the curry to impart a sweet and sour taste to the curry.
   
• Porithanni – This is another recipe from South India, prepared with fried cloves of garlic and spices. Rice flour or paste is added to the curry as a thickener.
   
• Curried Garlic Custard- This is a baked dish consisting of pureed garlic, milk, and eggs beaten together with salt and set in ramekin cups with a sprinkling of curry powder on top.
   
• Garlic Curry Aioli- This is a popular dip served along with fries. It is made by blending garlic cloves, salt, mayonnaise, cayenne pepper, and curry powder together.

Trivia

Garlic curry leftovers can be utilized as a base for cooking vegetable or meat based curries the next day.