Tips for Serving the Increasingly Popular Curry

Once considered exotic and niche, curry has now become a mainstream favorite. The undeniable appeal of curry, with its rich, diverse flavors, has earned it a well-deserved place on menus across the U.S.

With nearly 31% operator penetration for "curry" in Q3 2023 and a 7% increase in curry dishes on menus over the last year¹, it's clear that curry has established itself in the culinary landscape and is rapidly gaining acceptance on fast-casual and traditional casual-dining menus.

Out of all generations, Millennials are the most likely to order dishes with curry (39%), followed by Gen Z (22%). While Baby Boomers and Matures were significantly under-indexed on number of respondents who reported ordering dishes with curry.¹

TIPS FOR CUSTOMIZING CURRY ON YOUR MENU

Add Acidity

Incorporating acidic ingredients will counterbalance sweetness, bitterness and spiciness in curry. You can use more viscous elements like tamarind paste or lemon juice, coarse ingredients like amchur powder or dried pomegranate powder, and add fruit like pineapple or mango. Including these bright, fresh moments into a curry is a way to create a satisfying and balanced dish.

Memorable Garnishes

Garnishes play a key role in enhancing the visual appeal of a curry while at the same time contributing to its flavor. Consider a touch of fresh julienned ginger to add pepperiness to your curry. Pickled onions or twisted lime wedges bring tanginess, while toasted almonds, peanuts or fried cashews contribute a nutty crunch to the mix—all while treating the eye.

Try Different Chiles

In your curries, consider combining both fresh and dried chile peppers. Fresh peppers bring a brighter, sweet flavor, while dried peppers will add smoky, bitter tastes. You can also attract guests with interesting varieties, such as fresh Thai bird's eye chiles which create fragrant and sour curries. Powdered Kashmiri chiles are another option that offer a mild heat while infusing your dishes with bursts of color.

Go Regional

Instead of widespread, modern spice blends, like tikka masala or butter chicken, try incorporating blends specific to different regions of the world. Consider goda masala, named for its sweet and captivating aroma. This aromatic spice blend, which includes stone flowers and other specialized spices, offers an ideal way to infuse your dishes with distinctive flavors.

In Northeastern Africa, the fiery and peppery berbere mix brings a captivating twist to the table, while North Africa indulges in the smoky essence of harissa. These age-old spice blends, deeply rooted in their cultural heritage, can introduce a fascinating global dimension to your curry creations.

Think Outside the Bowl

Restaurants have been exploring the use of curry as a flavor in a large variety of dishes: soups, seafood entrées, bowls, salads, burgers, sandwiches, and wraps. Consider how you can create LTOs using different curry spice blends to add exciting new flavor to current menu items.

TRY THIS

Use a prepared broth or stock like College Inn^® Chicken Broth to create a flavorful curry base, such as in this Thai Massaman-Style Chicken Curry recipe.

Brighten and add a new twist to your curries with Del Monte^® Pineapple. Pineapple chunks and tidbits provide a delightful burst of tropical flavor, while pineapple juice or crushed pineapple can add subtle sweetness throughout a curry sauce.

Technomic Ignite Nov 2023
Technomic 2022