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Patak's Foods, USA offers convenient sauces and pastes to help home cooks create a variety of curries
MINNEAPOLIS (August 10, 2006) - Does the word "curry" bring to mind a spicy dish with saffron-colored sauce that is seasoned with curry powder? Most Americans envision Indian curry as a one-flavor-fits-all dish, so it's not surprising that it isn't a universal fit for all tastes. PATAK'S™ line of Indian cuisine products offers home cooks a more authentic taste of the myriad flavors of curry. Thanks to the high-quality, authentic sauces and pastes from PATAK'S™, it's easier than ever to prepare crowd-pleasing curries at home.
"The flavor that most Americans identify with curry is an ingredient that isn't even used in most Indian curry recipes: curry powder. While many think of curry as a single dish, it's really more of a cooking style," says Vijay Anand, Executive Chef, Patak's Foods, USA. "Most home cooks don't realize that curry can be flavored to an individual's liking through spices and sauces that range from rich and creamy to tangy and hot."
When the word curry is used in India, it refers to a liquid-based sauce - almost like gravy - that's combined with varying proportions of rice, vegetables or meat. In authentic Indian cooking, each cook's recipe for curry is as unique as a fingerprint.
When prepared from scratch, a curry begins with a thickening agent, such as onions, yogurt, cream, coconut milk, lentils or nuts and seeds. The true magic of curry is in the spices. Each home cook selects a combination of herbs and spices - from two to over twenty - and then artfully uses them to infuse the curry with flavor. The order in which spices are heated and the length of cooking time both influence how the flavors ultimately marry. Based on preparation methods and ingredients such as turmeric, saffron, chilies, onions and coriander, curry may range in color from bold yellow or pale apricot to red, pink or brown.
"Home cooks can sample a range of curry styles, from mild Korma to hot Madras and Vindaloo, with the help of the curry sauces and pastes from PATAK'S™," says Anand. "It's never been easier to prepare authentic-tasting, Indian-style curry at home without spending a lot of time or money on extensive ingredients."
PATAK'S® Curry Pastes (available in Biryani, Garam Masala, Tandoori, Tikka Masala, Tikka and Vindaloo, as well as Mild and Extra Hot Curry flavors) are complex blends of ground herbs and spices preserved in vegetable oil for freshness. PATAK'S® Curry Sauces (available in Vindaloo (Hot Chile & Cilantro), Rogan Josh (Spicy Tomato & Cardamom), Korma (Rich Creamy Coconut), Madras (Hot Chile & Cumin), and Tikka Masala (Tangy Lemon & Cilantro) varieties) are developed from authentic Indian recipes and retain the aromas and spices that are essential when creating the subtle complexities of Indian cuisine. The pastes and sauces act as convenient seasoning concentrates that can be mixed with water, stock, yogurt or canned tomatoes to create delicious, authentic seasoned sauces for meat, poultry, seafood or vegetables.
Chef Anand recommends starting with a selection of delicious recipes when exploring the varied flavors of Indian curry. The following convenient recipes include mild, medium and hot options to suit all tastes:
Spicy Mango Shrimp - Shrimp combined with a sauce of sautéed onion, mild curry paste, fresh tomato, a touch of sweet mango chutney and fresh cilantro, and served atop a bed of rice. Recipe heat rating: mild.
Indonesian Salad - Chopped chicken breast marinated in mild curry paste, combined with spiral-shaped pasta, celery, pineapple chunks and cashews, and tossed with a tangy dressing. Recipe heat rating: mild.
Chicken Tikka Masala - Sautéed chicken breast simmered with a tangy tikka masala sauce, and served atop a bed of hot rice. Recipe heat rating: medium.
Goan Pork Burgers - Minced pork seasoned with sautéed onion, madras paste, fresh cilantro and tomato puree, then pattied, grilled and served with rice and green salad. Recipe heat rating: hot.
Tandoori Salmon - Salmon steak marinated in a sauce of tandoori curry paste, garlic, mint and yogurt, grilled and served atop a bed of mixed greens and rice. Recipe heat rating: medium.
For more great recipes and meal ideas or to find PATAK'S® products at a retailer, visit www.worldfood.com or call 1-800-726-3648.
About Melting Pot Foods, LLC
Melting Pot Foods, LLC distributes PATAK'S® products, the world's leading brand of traditional Indian cuisine in the United States. PATAK'S® products, including cooking sauces, curry pastes, chutneys, relishes, marinades, rice and microwave meals, are produced in the United Kingdom and exported to 40 countries worldwide.
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