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Homemade Curry Paste

Recipe reprinted from Feeding the Whole Family by Cynthia Lair (Sasquatch Books, 2008).

My life is so much easier with a jar of this in the refrigerator.  Jeff Basom created this multi-use flavoring for soups, beans and all sorts of vegetable dishes - perfect for Vegetable Chickpea Curry.  This handy product for busy cooks will keep months in the refrigerator.  It also makes a great Christmas gift.

1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound onions, chopped fine
¼ cup cumin seeds
¼ cup coriander seeds
1 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
1 teaspoon whole cloves
2 teaspoons whole black pepper
2 tablespoons whole mustard seeds
2 teaspoons allspice
1 teaspoon cardamom
4 teaspoon cinnamon
¼ cup turmeric
2 teaspoons cayenne
¼ cup ginger, peeled and chopped fine

Heat oil in a 2-quart pot.  Add onions and sauté until very soft.  While the onions are cooking, grind the following whole spices to a fine powder in a coffee or spice grinder: cumin, coriander, fenugreek, cloves, pepper, and mustard seeds.  Add to onions. Add the remaining spices and fresh ginger to the onion mixture; let it cook about 5 minutes while stirring.  Store in a sealed jar(s) in the refrigerator where it will keep for several months.

Preparation time: 20-25 minutes
Makes 2 cups

8 Comments:

Margaret Bullitt
Hi Cynthia, I have an electric coffee grinder which I no longer am using for coffee (because I'm not drinking coffee now). Do you happen to know if it's reasonable to think I can clean it to use for grinding spices? Any suggestions how? Thanks! I love your idea of making the curry paste as a Christmas gift. Hope you're well. Margaret
November 14, 2008, 11:12 pm

Cynthia Lair
Yes Margaret. That's exactly what I use for grinding spice. Out that old coffee grinder to good use!
November 15, 2008, 7:25 am

Catheirne Dayhoff
Cynthia, You have brought the joy of cooking to my kitchen! Many thankyous from more than just me! :O) Catherine
November 16, 2008, 11:49 am

Sophia K
Would this freeze? Or would it lose potency? Thanks!!!
February 1, 2010, 12:49 pm

Cynthia Lair
Sophia, I haven't frozen it before but I think it would do just fine. I am using some right now that has kept fine in the frig since last Christmas!
February 1, 2010, 2:49 pm

Sophia K
Thanks for all your excellent advice! I just made this curry paste and it is fabulous! So flavorful and versatile! And ingredients only came to a few dollars! Yum and wow. Cynthia, you are an absolute inspiration!
February 1, 2010, 9:33 pm

Rachel K
I found this site off the AB list and I am so glad I did. I love curry but I almost never make it because I could never make it fresh, with this recipe now I can and it'll be healthy too!
February 9, 2010, 10:14 pm

Catherine Kleijn
I have watched, made my teenage kids watch, try recipes and printed a whole lot! We are having a lot of fun with your site and want to thank you for keeping it real, and simple. I love and get all the humor too! You are all marvellous, and I look forward to seing more!
June 6, 2010, 5:20 pm

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