As the nights draw in and the temperature starts to drop, add a little heat to your evenings with a curry from Hey Fresto!
Indian-style curry is one of the mainstays of British mealtimes – and it seems we are developing quite the taste for hotter curries nowadays.
While chicken tikka masala – an English invention – has long been a favourite dish of British diners, more people are eating rogan josh (an aromatic and spicy curry that hails from Kashmir), madras and even vindaloo.
But eating curry isn’t meant to be an endurance event. It’s not about eating the hottest thing on the menu: curries from the Indian subcontinent have a huge range of flavours, from creamy and mild to hot and aromatic and everything in between.
Complex flavours come from spices such as cumin, coriander seed, cardamom and turmeric, while herbs such as mint, asafetida, fenugreek and coriander leaf add freshness. The robust ginger brings a tangy dimension to many dishes, tamarind adds sourness and sweetness comes from tomatoes and coconut.
With so many curries to enjoy, it’s no wonder they are so popular.
Celebrating the curry
Did you know it is National Curry Week from October 4-10, 2021? This annual celebration of curry is in its 23rd year and honours the nation’s most-loved meal. Whether you visit your local restaurant to eat in or take away, rustle up your favourite dish at home, or buy an Indian ready meal, there’s no better time to raise a glass of beer (or lassi) to this fantastic cuisine.
According to a survey carried out last year, to celebrate National Curry Week 2020, Brits are enjoying a wider range of curries. The survey found that the top 10 curries in this country are:
Tikka masala
Korma
Rogan Josh
Madras
Jalfrezi
Vindaloo
Balti
Bhuna
Pasanda
Dopiaza.
Make it authentic
If you don’t have time to prepare your own curry, then our range of frozen Indian meals will make your life that little bit easier.
Made from the highest quality ingredients, these ready-made curries are great for when you want a tasty and nutritious meal without all the prep and a stack of washing up.
We’ve been inspired by dishes from across the whole of the Indian subcontinent, and that means a huge range of flavours. Our delicious chicken saffron korma is fragrant and creamy, thanks to the coconut sauce that is infused with delicate seasoning saffron.
Take the heat up a notch and you can enjoy the flavours from across the Indian subcontinent, from Goa to Kerala and Kolkata to Delhi.
Our Goan-style piri piri prawn curry is fragrant, with succulent king prawns in a spicy tomato sauce, flavoured with mustard seeds, chilli and coconut, while lamb dhansak is prepared with tender diced lamb and is mixed with lentils and spinach before being mixed with a medium spicy sauce flavoured with cardamom and garlic.
Head to Northern India and enjoy our delicious murgh makhani, also known as butter chicken. Lovingly prepared marinated chicken breast is served in a rich and creamy sauce made from authentic ghee (clarified butter), lentils and creamy cashew nuts.
We’ve not forgotten vegans and vegetarians, either. When more than 20% of the Indian population does not eat meat, there are plenty of dishes to choose from.
Our Keralan red pepper and cauliflower curry is vegan – but we bet any meat-eater would love it, too. And for vegetarians, our paneer and palak curry is a classic combination of paneer and spinach.
Add a side dish of plain rice or Tadka pilau rice and you’re good to go!
Like all of our frozen ready meals, our delicious curries are delivered and can be stored until you are ready for them – simply pop in the oven or microwave, according to the instructions, and you’ll be enjoying a delicious, nutritious meal in just a few minutes without any hassle.
You can order individual portions and some of our dishes are available for two or four people, meaning you can feed family and friends quickly and easily.
What herbs and spices should I have?
If you are building up a herbs and spices cupboard and want to make sure you have a range of ingredients to make an Indian curry, make sure you have these dried herbs and spices in your store cupboard:
Cardamom seeds
Cumin seeds
Coriander seeds
Turmeric
Dried red chillies
Cinnamon sticks
Curry leaves
Fenugreek
Garam masala
Mustard seeds
If you have any questions about our range of curries – or any of our delicious ready meals – don’t hesitate to contact us.