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Sunday, February 13, 2011

Getting All Curried Away **Giveaway!

I received a really thoughtful gift from my mother-in-law for Christmas that I've been using and I have really enjoyed- so I'm going to share the love with one of you! I should have called this 'Favorite Things' and gone all Oprah on you, but you'll have to do that part with your imagination...

I want to introduce one of my favorite things when wanting to quickly cook an Indian meal: (say it in your best Oprah loud announcement voice) "PENZEY'S SPICES!!!!" ;) They have stores in a lot of places around the country, but they also have a beautiful catalog with recipes that comes out several times a year.

You can open the pdf file of their catalog or you can go to their website and request a copy be mailed to you. There are a handful of Indian recipes in the Spring 2011 Catalog (Butter Chicken, Lemon Rice, and Tandoori Lamb). Page 20 is where the pre-mixed curries/seasonings start. Their website is not particularly easy to navigate/has no pictures, so the catalog is definitely an easier source to browse. They do have recipes on their website too though- and you can search through those fairly easily. FYI: Their Tandoori Chicken recipe is delish and tastes just like the real deal.
Some of Penzey's Indian Currys
So, to spice up your February, I'm giving away a small box of spices, similar to the one pictured here. I'm going to send a lucky winner a 1/4 cup jar of each of these .
  • Garam Masala- The formula for this blend was brought into the store by a Punjabi man who had recently moved to the U.S. It was his mother's recipe and in exchange for grinding and blending the whole spices for him, he gave it to us. His mother was proud to hear that her blend had become a hit in America.
  • Sweet Curry Powder- A good starter curry powder-great flavor with little heat. Travel to the port towns of Southwestern India today and you will be served a variety of fish seasoned with this same style of curry, though sometimes with a pinch more fenugreek and always with a healthy dose of fiery hot peppers.
  • Rogan Josh Seasoning- Just a little spicy. A very popular dish from Northern India and Pakistan. This version of the red lamb stew comes from the state of Rajasthan, known for its hilly deserts and fierce, yet chivalrous warriors.
  • Tandoori Seasoning- Clay ovens known as tandoors and the flavorful food they produce have entered the fast food market all over India and many major cities of the West as well. The most popular tandoori food is chicken. Skinless half chickens are marinated overnight, skewered and baked. Tandoors are extremely hot, which seals in the juices of the chicken. Like a microwave, tandoors cook so quickly that browning doesn't take place. The red color of Tandoori chicken in Indian restaurants comes from food coloring. It is possible to reproduce the rich flavor, if not the cooking technique, of this dish at home. Mix 1-2 TB. with 1 Cup plain yogurt and the juice of ½ lemon. Pour over a cut-up skinless chicken, cover and place in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight. Remove from marinade, bake 45 minutes uncovered at 325°, turning and basting every 15 minutes.
**To enter, post a comment below before midnight on Thursday the 17th and tell me your favorite Indian dish/food to eat. :) If you've not had Indian food, tell me why. Preconceived ideas of flavors? Heat/Spice? Fear? :) Ha! I'll pick a winner on Friday. U.S. entries only.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

I used to eat Indian food when I lived in DC. I love curry and I loved that yummy, thick bread...tandori? I haven't tried cooking it. If I win, send me a recipe, please!!! :)
Thanks,
Christie (South) Block

Brooke said...

What a fun idea! I think the only time I've ever had Indian food was when my mom made tandoori chicken from a spice mix given to her by a friend. I was probably 8 or 9 at the time, so all I can really say is that I don't remember DISliking it :-) I don't know why I have not had it as an adult, but you have definitely sparked my interest!

Wilson's House Full of Boys said...

Very cool! I didn't even know you had a blog. You go girl! I need to start one. I have only had Indian food once and I think I was pregnant so my only time was kind of a different experience. I think it was pretty good though.

Fenwick 5 said...

Well I like Chicken Curry as a fav and also the lamb and rice! Tandori chicken is awesome too!! But Curry is great along with some cheezy nan bread!!:) Gidget

Traci said...

I'm so glad you posted this resource. I'm still a bit lost in the Indian cooking world. The fav' at our house is Chicken Korma.

Anonymous said...

Love ALL Indian food - butter chicken, chicken curry, pakoras, paranthas, subjee, chapatis, to name a few. When we were all together in Iowa for Christmas, we made chicken curry and chole (chickpea curry) - my mouth's watering already!! :)

Carole Janecke

Shad and Maggie Alsworth said...

Great idea!!

I love butter chicken but have found a great Turkey Curry recipe that uses leftover turkey from Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is the day we came home with Pala so the recipe seems to fit. Traditional Thanksgiving dinner one day and then an Indian Feast the next. A great way to blend our family and celebrate both cultures during such a special time:)

The Pfeiffer Family said...

It is funny that I had never had nor did it ever occur to me to try Indian food until I went on a missions trip to India in 2008. After that I was sold. Our family LOVES Indian food. I have several recipes I make quite often. Butter chicken, Tandoori chicken, Chicken Tikka Masala, Murgh Subji Wala, Jerra Alu, Kali Mirch Murg, and homemade naan (although I usually buy the frozen naan from Trader Joes....it is good and SO much quicker!) Thanks for the chance to win something yummy!

April :-)

Sohailah said...

Well I know for SURE my favorite meal is not dal. I think it's the one we had together at that young man's house - remember going there? We were crazy, huh? I LOVE making curry, and am PROUD to say (or relieved) that I made curry for Cowboy and he, also, LOVES it. (Whew!) except I don't have garam masala, and although I substitute madras curry powder, I think it's probably missing something.

Chicken curry, Butter chicken, shrimp curry - I LOVE curry! (and naan)