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No, I’m Not Sick; I Just Ate Curry.

February 21, 2013 By Lena

Two nights ago, shortly after dinner, I had a lovely chat with a friend. A few moments into the conversation, she asked me, “Are you sick?”

“No,” I responded, confused. “Do I sound sick?”
“You sorta do…” she replied.

Huh. I thought to myself for a second, and then inspiration struck.

“Oh! Actually, I had a really spicy curry for dinner. You know, the kind where your nose starts running so badly, you just wipe your face with your sleeve, and you’re trying to talk but your tongue is on fire? That’s probably why I sound so nasally – I had an acute curry attack.”

We laughed and continued to chat, while I rummaged through the freezer for a popsicle.

I didn’t think much about it until I got on the phone with another friend, who also asked, “Are you sick?”

“No…,” I responded. For a brief moment I was confused, and then –

“Oh my God, I had a really spicy curry for dinner,” I explained,  “and I spent about 10 minutes having the contents of my nasal cavities running all over my face, so I think this is the after-effect.”

Who knew? I officially have an I-just-ate-curry voice.

We continued to discuss Indian food in general, and since she lives in Eastern Canada, how it’s so hard to find the delicious, authentic stuff that hasn’t been dumbed-down for Canadian palettes. Thankfully, here in Toronto, it’s quite easy to encounter amazing ethnic food of the highest quality – there’s an Asian market on every corner, and Halal Meat Shops are more common in Mississauga than 7-11’s.

(I kid you not: a 7-11 on a nearby, busy intersection just closed down and became an Indian grocery store. Business is booming!)

Now I know that not everyone has access to the appropriate ingredients for an authentic Vegetarian Korma, so I’m pleased to share this recipe that incorporates ingredients you can find everywhere. Some may say it’s one of those recipes dumbed-down for Canadian palettes – but I’m sorry; I just don’t have two hours on a weekday night to grind my own spices and mix my own masala. And, made as is, it’s actually quite tasty.

Darling husband cooked this exotic dish for dinner on Tuesday night, and even though our house still smells like Gerard Street, I can’t wait to devour the leftovers! An oh-so-simple recipe that will cure your curry craving in t-minus 30 minutes flat – plus, it’s a wonderful way to introduce vegetarian options to your weekly menu.

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 small onion, diced
1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger root
4 cloves garlic, minced
2-3 medium-sized potatoes, cubed
4 small carrots, cubed
1 fresh jalapeno pepper, seeded and sliced
3 tablespoons ground unsalted cashews
1 (4 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
1 1/2 tablespoons curry powder
1 cup frozen green peas
1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 cup coconut milk
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1 bunch fresh cilantro for garnish

DIRECTIONS

Parboil cubed potatoes for about 10 minutes or until just fork-tender. Drain; set aside.

Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the onion, and cook until tender. Mix in ginger and garlic, and continue cooking 1 minute. Mix potatoes, carrots, jalapeno, cashews, and tomato sauce. Season with salt and curry powder. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes to allow flavours to mingle.

Stir peas, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, coconut milk and yogurt into the skillet. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer an additional 15 minutes. Garnish with cilantro. Serves 4.

Filed Under: Food Tagged With: easy meal ideas, Indian Food, recipe, Vegetarian Korma

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Julia

    February 21, 2013 at 9:51 am

    Oh my. I love curry and am bookmarking this recipe! Thanks!

    • Lena

      February 21, 2013 at 8:37 pm

      You’re welcome Julia! I think you’ll love it!

  2. Stacie

    February 21, 2013 at 9:58 am

    Thanks for sharing! I should be able to get all those ingredients here. I’ll make it for John to satisfy his Indian food obsession.

    • Lena

      February 21, 2013 at 8:37 pm

      Hahaha it will keep him at bay until I share my butter chicken recipe with you Stacie!

  3. Erika E

    February 21, 2013 at 10:25 am

    Thank you for the recipe. I’ve always thought that spicy food is one of the best things to eat when I’m congested, now I know I’m not the only one!

    • Lena

      February 21, 2013 at 8:39 pm

      You are definitely on the right track – it always clears the sinuses!

  4. holly messana

    February 21, 2013 at 10:35 am

    that is hilarious! i am not much of a curry eater, but i do like spicy the odd time

    • Lena

      February 21, 2013 at 8:39 pm

      You should try this recipe, Holly – it’s a great “intro” curry.

  5. Debbie Bashford

    February 21, 2013 at 10:43 am

    I love curry, I even sprinkle it on popcorn

    • Lena

      February 21, 2013 at 8:40 pm

      Oooh… now THERE’s an idea! I should try that – thanks Debbie!

  6. Viv Sluys

    February 21, 2013 at 1:50 pm

    LOL! That’s awesome. I wonder if I have a ‘curry-voice’. I love making curry and other spicy Indian dishes. Thanks for the recipe. I’m going to make it tonight :)

    • Lena

      February 21, 2013 at 9:06 pm

      Enjoy Viv! It’s such a simple recipe – chances are you already have the ingredients at home!

  7. Lisa H

    February 21, 2013 at 1:54 pm

    I love Korma! But we do take out from a local Indian place. Im a medium hot kinda girl (lol!) but hubby got brave a tried the Lamb Madras. He had the same ‘acute curry attack’ as you – and it wasnt ‘cute’ :o

    • Lena

      February 21, 2013 at 9:07 pm

      Oooh… Lamb Madras will do that to you every time, hahaha! Good for him for being brave and trying it, though!

  8. Londia

    February 21, 2013 at 2:03 pm

    Sounds delicious. We enjoy Indian food quite a bit and the kids are getting better at wanting to eat it also.
    Sometimes it can make your nose run for sure. We usually add more curry then asked for.

    • Lena

      February 21, 2013 at 9:09 pm

      Love that your kids embrace the flavour, Londia! It’s so important to introduce new foods to the family!

  9. Teresa M.

    February 22, 2013 at 12:43 am

    Too funny! You make me laugh :) My family goes to England every summer…lots of family there. My Mum is from England. Last year my sister brought me back some curry spice packets from Marks & Spencers. The best curry ever! Curry is more popular in England than fish & chips!!

    • Lena

      February 23, 2013 at 8:57 am

      You know what – I kind of figured that, because every British movie I’ve watched, they’re always eating “takeaway curry” or saying they’re craving a good “vindaloo”. Too funny! Visiting England is definitely on my bucket list!

  10. Bhumi

    February 22, 2013 at 1:28 am

    :D :D What did you eat with the curry?! We usually have Parathas or Roti (or sometimes rice with it!)

    • Lena

      February 23, 2013 at 8:58 am

      I love a good piece of naan with our curry, Bhumi, but mostly we just pair it up with rice :)

  11. Michael

    February 22, 2013 at 7:46 am

    As our 2 year old Reid would say “Its ficey”

    • Lena

      February 23, 2013 at 8:58 am

      LOL yes, it was very ficey (spicy)…

  12. Victoria Ess

    February 22, 2013 at 9:55 am

    Curry is one of the dishes I have never actually attempted to make myself and, naturally, one of the dishes that my partner and I spent a fortune on because when we crave it, we have to get take-out. Thanks for the recipe, and the motivation to make it for dinner!

    • Lena

      February 23, 2013 at 8:59 am

      Please do try it Victoria! You may want to adjust the spices a bit for a more authentic flavour – add a dash of cumin and a pinch of ground coriander – but otherwise it is quite delish!

      • Victoria Ess

        February 23, 2013 at 10:17 am

        I’ll let you know how it goes :) My partner will fall in love with me all over again…

  13. Tara Gauthier

    February 22, 2013 at 1:59 pm

    My kids love tuna curry with rice – I was actually a little shocked when the ate so much and as long is it is mild hubby will eat it too. He is usually a meat and potatoes type person which is so boring…I will definitely give this a shot!

    • Lena

      February 23, 2013 at 9:00 am

      WOW, I think it’s awesome that your kids love tuna curry! I’ve never tried it myself – thanks for the tip!

  14. Soozle

    February 23, 2013 at 8:46 am

    Oooh! I am a huge fan of Indian food – I will be giving this a try too… and seeing if I too get curry voice hah! :-) Thanks for sharing!

    • Lena

      February 23, 2013 at 9:00 am

      Hahaha you’ll have to let me know if you have a curry voice too!

  15. Chalbe

    February 26, 2013 at 9:48 am

    Love curries, collect them all.

  16. Myra

    February 26, 2013 at 6:05 pm

    Mmm this sounds so delish! Can’t wait to try it out. I had the same symptoms when I ate Banana Peppers with my sandwich yesterday. My throat was bugging me and I sounded ill. Then I figured it was the Banana peppers

    • Lena

      February 26, 2013 at 6:18 pm

      Hahaha so Myra, you felt my pain… literally!

  17. Jenny

    February 27, 2013 at 3:45 am

    Yum, another drool-worthy recipe to try out!? I would love to try to make my own curry! Thanks Lena!

    • Lena

      March 3, 2013 at 10:33 pm

      You’re welcome Jenny – let me know what you think!

  18. Samantha

    February 27, 2013 at 1:20 pm

    I love love loooooooooove curry. Thank you for the recipe! mmmmm

    • Lena

      March 3, 2013 at 10:35 pm

      My pleasure Samantha! I hope you like it!

  19. Tooth Fairy

    March 1, 2013 at 12:33 am

    I need to order my curry mild and even then my nose runs. Once upon a time we were out at an Indian spot and I ate a wee piece of green garnish. I didn’t realize it was a slice of raw chili pepper.
    I thought my throat was gonna close up and my head might explode? The waiters seemed amused but for a few minutes I almost felt some panic!!!!

    • Lena

      March 3, 2013 at 10:36 pm

      HAHAHA this had me laughing so hard! Not at your expense, of course, but at the way you told the story. I’ve sampled some raw green chilies myself – they set your mouth on fire!

  20. Stephanie

    March 2, 2013 at 12:23 pm

    Sounds delicious. I didn’t like curried food for the longest time but I’m sure glad that phase is over!

    • Lena

      March 3, 2013 at 10:37 pm

      It’s definitely an acquired taste, but those who love it, LOVE it.

  21. Lee Pearson

    March 3, 2013 at 1:59 am

    Wait a minute…..your husband cooks for you!!! Umm….how did this happen? I love this recipe, but I am extremely interested to know how I can get my husband to cook for me just one time!

    • Lena

      March 3, 2013 at 10:38 pm

      :) Haha Lee! I am really blessed. He makes dinner at least once per week – he’s great in the kitchen.

  22. Alisha

    March 4, 2013 at 10:10 am

    THANK YOU! I’ve been looking for new recipes so I will give this one a shot!

    • Lena

      March 10, 2013 at 1:32 pm

      NP! Please let me know what you think, Alisha!

  23. Tania B

    March 4, 2013 at 1:24 pm

    This looks like a fabulous curry recipe. I think I will attempt to make this for a friend of mine – she and I both love curries. I am pretty sure curry cures bad moods!

    • Lena

      March 10, 2013 at 1:32 pm

      Hahaha love that! It puts me in a great mood, so I believe it!

  24. Melanie Snyder

    March 4, 2013 at 3:16 pm

    love a good curry! I live in Wisconsin and it’s so difficult to find spicy food ingredients.. they just don’t eat it up here which I find odd. Fortunately we have a good Asian store to go to :) Your recipe does sound yummy!

    • Lena

      March 10, 2013 at 1:33 pm

      I love that you enjoy a good curry in Wisconsin. Awesome that you have a great Asian store near by!

  25. Chandra Christine O'Connor

    March 7, 2013 at 10:23 am

    ha! that was funny, now I’m going to have to try that. recipe looks good, the spicer the better in tis house hold.

    • Lena

      March 10, 2013 at 1:33 pm

      Spicy food certainly does clear out your sinuses!

  26. Rhonda W G.

    March 17, 2013 at 5:52 pm

    This sounds so good! I love curry and currently am adding turmeric to everything. I keep it right on the table and use it saving my husband from overkill!

    • Lena

      April 7, 2013 at 12:55 pm

      Nice! I’ve started adding turmeric to everything too!

  27. Sabrina Pallotta

    March 23, 2013 at 10:00 am

    Sounds yummy can’t wit to try it!

    • Lena

      April 7, 2013 at 12:55 pm

      Please do!

  28. Holly

    March 25, 2013 at 5:53 pm

    I’ve never tried curry. For some reason I’ve always been scared to try it. This recipe sounds great though, so I may just have to finally give it a try!

    • Lena

      April 7, 2013 at 12:55 pm

      I hope you do Holly!

  29. Debbie White Beattie

    April 21, 2018 at 7:58 pm

    I don’t eat curry anymore because of the smell. When ever you cook with it your house stinks and your breath stinks but most of all you have bad body odor and when you sweat look out.

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Toronto Blogger, Social Media Strategist for Listen to Lena Inc. Television & Radio Personality, Columnist and Speaker. Family Travel Expert. Star Wars Fanatic. Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion. Read More…

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