FRIENDS
MENUS
WHAT GOES WITH CHICKEN CURRY
2 MENUS WITH CHICKEN CURRY
​
What sides goes well with a Chicken Curry?
Would Samosas be a good Starter for a Chicken Curry?
What dessert can I serve with a Chicken Curry?
​
​
Curry is the most popular spicy dish used all over the world. Many variations exist which are associated to their origin. Many recipes and restaurant claim to be from Northern India while others from Southern India. Each have their own division according to their regions. One could create a Recipe Family Tree and found that two cousins, three times removed have the same DNA. So lets keep it simple and emphasize the appeal of this Indian Cuisine.
Chili is the main spice used. Together with Turmeric, Cardamon, Coriander, Cumin and Black Peppercorns they form the base of the Curry Paste used in most Curry recipes.
​
Curry is usually served with Indian bread variations: Naan, Roti or Papadum which are available at Indian Specialty Stores and even in Supermarkets.
An easy homemade sides is the Yellow Rice or the Pilau Rice. Perfect to absorb the curry flavor. Serve Ramekins with chopped tomatoes, onions, bananas and pineapple instead of a salad to accompanies the curry.
​
As a general rule, it is better to incorporate an origin dish with a variety of common other dishes as not to make the evening a typical Italian or Turkish evening. With Curry, I feel that if you know that your guests like Curry, than go the whole way and serve Samosas as a starter.
​
Dessert is a bit more difficult, as Westerner are not used to the many variety of Indian Dessert. A sorbet or a flan would be suitable to finish of the dinner.
​
MENU 1
Samosas as a Starters.
A Main Course with a Curry Chicken with Yellow Rice and Ramekins as Side Dishes.
A Strawberry Sorbet for Dessert
​
Like most casseroles, the chicken curry can be frozen. In this menu the curry is very simple and easy to make, the Samosas do take a while to make; the fillings, the folding and the baking (baking samosas is healthier and quicker than frying them a few at the time - both ways of cooking them is included in the recipe).
But with some planning you will still be able to enjoy the evening without having to cook and entertain your guests at the same time.
Samosas are the perfect starters for a Curry. You can make them with filo pastry and bake them. Use different fillings and enjoy them as finger food. You can freeze them unbaked. Could even get them ready made from an Indian speciality store.
The Chicken Curry is the simplest and easiest of all the casserole. Use half of a leftover roast chicken, make a sauce with brown onions, garlic, tomatoes and curry paste. Let the chicken simmer and a perfect curry is made.
The Ramekins with chopped bananas, pineapple, onions, tomatoes and chutney can be prepared before your guests arrive.
The Yellow Rice is a very easy rice to make, you add the spices and raisin while the water for the rice is getting hot. Cover and simmer for half an hour.
Make the Strawberry Sorbet the day before, freeze it and take it out of the freezer half an hour before serving it.
​
Few of the dishes can be made in advance. The samosas take a while to make and the ready made ones are often delicious. By planning your evening you should be able to enjoy sharing this dinner with friends.
​
​
MENU 2
You may want to replace the samosas with a Spicy Butternut Soup and the Sorbet with a Mango Yogurt Pudding
You may want to try this very simple Chicken Chutney. It has Curry spices and does not require pre-browning the chicken pieces.
A Starter that would go also very well with a Curry is the Spicy Butternut Soup. It can be made in advance and frozen. The Mango Pudding is easy to make and is a refreshing end to a spicy menu.
This week favourite Menu
