So, there's a 'special day' coming up, and you are trying to buy for the person who has everything? You know they love curry (who doesn't?). Buying gifts for curry lovers can be tricky, but fortunately, the Curryspy is here to help you out! As a genuine curry cook, I know what I'd like, so I know what they would like. I'm going to give you some great ideas and point you in the right direction. Let's jump right in…
Gifts for Curry Cooks | Quick Run Down
Buying gifts for someone with a dedicated interest is always tricky. When it comes to buying gifts for curry chefs, we can be particularly choosy. Here are a few things to focus on when choosing.
- Pick a gift that makes making curry easy. Anything that reduces the aspiring cook's workload will be welcome.
- Choose a present that increases the flavour of a dish. If it gives your giftee the potential to make a homemade version of something they'd normally be forced to buy in-store, then you've found something good.
- Select something that they'll enjoy using. Grinding herbs and spices might not be my favourite thing on the planet, but if someone loves my curry… And I've made a roasted blend of masala spices entirely from scratch, it makes me feel like a real curry master!
- You can always go novelty if in doubt, we can never have too many aprons!
Gifts for Curry Lovers | 14 Great Gift Ideas
OK, let's get right to it…
People who love curry aren't about chopping up a chicken breast and adding a jar of sauce…
We are talking about someone who'll drive 20 miles to get the right packet of chilli powder or who'll spend an hour in an Asian supermarket making sure that their basaar mix powder is as close to the original as possible.
Also known as… A curry lover.
It's OK. I know they are particular and hard to buy for. The good news is that I'm one of them, and I'm here to help. Here's a list of curry gifts I'd love to get on that special day….
1. A Curry Cooking Lesson | A Great Way to Spend an Afternoon
The best way to learn is by doing.
If you know someone who wants to get into cooking curries but hasn't got the skills, then invest in a lesson for them... You could even accompany them!
One of the best curry courses I've seen is offered by Red Letter Days. They offer curry cooking courses in Manchester and also in London where you can turn up at an Indian restaurant and have a one-on-one lesson with an authentic Indian chef!
Don't fancy travelling? No problem.
You can also book a one-on-one interactive online lesson and do a real time lesson in your own kitchen!
And the best bit? You get to eat the results!!!
Alternatively, teach yourself. I've got curry guides galore right here that will tell you all you need to know about making a curry at home.
2. A Complete Curry Cooking Kit...
What do you get for the person who has everything?
Well, I Guarantee you haven't seen a fully assembled all in one curry 'toolkit' like this.
You won't even need to do any 'homework' or extensive reading! Take a look at my complete guide to assembling a make at home curry kit. It's literally everything a person could need to make a curry.
A fully equipped curry kitchen sounds like a good deal.
The best bit?
It'll cost about the same as a takeaway meal for four!
3. Authentic Curry Pans | Cook Like the Pros!
Would it make them happy to cook curry like the professionals?
For that, they are going to need the right tools!
First stop?
A great curry pan! This is a relatively cheap and affordable gift that will take their curry to the next level. The beauty of cooking with a stainless steel pan is that the sauce caramelises around the sides. This creates a really authentic taste that you will not get from the junk you might buy from Argos.
Solid pans are practically bulletproof when it comes to maintenance and will be extremely well received.
There's only one problem…
It's really obvious as to what it is when wrapped… Tell them it is a tennis racket!
4. Cook a Curry for Them! | A Super Treat!
Ever noticed that food cooked in a restaurant is nicer than your own?
There's a reason for that…
You haven't had to put in any effort. Why not return the favour? There're no nicer gifts for curry lovers than being presented with a plate full of your favourite curry! If you haven't cooked a curry before, it's really simple. I've got a handy guide right here!
Oh, and just a quick note…
Be sure to ask them what types of curry they like before you make it…
Ring sting isn't the best gift!
5. Indian Spice Hamper
OK, look, I've got two words for you here that are guaranteed to delight.
Wicker basket and curry spices.
Not sure which to choose? It's all good. I've got a list right here.
A curry hamper is one of the best gifts for curry lovers. Imagine being presented with a whole basket of spices to make any curry that they choose! It's the gift that keeps on giving!
Chicken tikka masala… easy!
Fiery Phall?... Bring it on!
Here let me make it easy for you. Here's a quick list of my top 9 spices for a curry. With this list, they'll be able to make any curry off the menu.. literally. Click the spice and you'll be able to buy a chef sized bag.
6. Indian Spice Tin | Masala Daba
If you've followed my suggestion above and got them a spice hamper, you might want to take it to the next level.
Never heard of a 'Masala Daba'?
It's OK. It's basically a name for a really classy spice tin set. They use them in Indian restaurants all the time. You have it in situ on your worktop or cooking space, and as you cook curry, you can take a spoonful of each of the spices you need as you cook. Consider it a sort of open spice storage cupboard!
If you don't want spills or want to keep those spices fresh, there are even options with clear lids.
One of the best gifts for curry lovers, hands down!
7. Curry Night Kit | 32 Different Curries!
Don't want to go the whole hog with a masala daba and pan set? Or just want something that you can crack open and have the perfect blend of spices ready?
Here's the answer…
This little kit is really great value and will allow any aspiring curry chef to make a perfectly spiced dish.
The best bit?
While there are only 4 spice pots, you can make a total of thirty-two different curries! That's a hell of a lot of curries! To use these spices follows a very similar curry making process that I teach in this article.
Basically, cook onions and veg, cook your meat, add the spice mix, and add a little base gravy…
Simples!
8. A Great Curry Cookbook | All the Classics!
Now, I don't normally promote the competition, but I think this guy is great.
He's a massive advocate of British Indian cooking and tends to do things the right way. Dan Toombs knows a thing about cooking authentic curries, and it shows.
And here's the thing…
I guarantee that whoever is getting your gift will find a favourite amongst the chapters. It's got some real classics such as…
- Tikka Masala
- Bhuna
- Madras
- Vindaloo
- Butter Chicken
- Samosas
- Onion Bhajis
- Korma
- Pathia
- And more….
9. Indian Serving Dishes | Authentic Balti Bowls!
Want to know what all of us curry lovers look for?
It's a really curry secret…
I'm going to let you in on it.
Half of the taste is presentation. What better way to present a curry than in authentic Indian serving dishes? These little Balti dishes have a copper bottom, two handles and can pretty much make any curry look amazing!
They are also really easy to wash up (man, it is like being back in my pre curryspy days)… the only bad thing about loads of curry is doing the dishes afterwards. The easier, the better.
10. Tea Light Food Warmer | Rather Fancy!
If you're cooking a lot of curries…
(And let's face it, if you are a real curry lover, you will be)
You might want to showcase your expertise with more than one dish. Cold curry should be enjoyed on toast the next day. It has no place on the table.
Here's the solution.
A few tealights and one of these, and you are good to go. Hot curry, all night.
Enjoy!
11. A Super Classy Pestle and Mortar | Homemade and Authentic Indian!
OK, as someone who likes curry, you might buy a pack or two of curry spices. Fair enough.
But…
As a genuine curry lover, you are going to want to grind your own. And for that, you are going to need a pestle and mortar.
Cumin seeds, cinnamon, methi leaves, curry leaf. The list goes on and on…
Trust me when I say this…
You haven't tasted ginger and garlic paste until you've had it freshly made from a pestle and mortar. The effect is the same for other spices. Want instructions?
It's easy?
- Toast your spices over medium heat.
- Tip them in a pestle and mortar
- Grind them to a powder.
Yep, it really is that simple to take a curry to the next level.
12. Electronic Spice Grinder | Masalas in an Instant!
Stuck for time?
Fair enough, I appreciate some houses are busy, and you don't have time to be toiling over a pestle and mortar.
If you want to save time and still get amazing results, use this.
If you follow the steps above, you'll be good to go… throw your spices or herbs in here, give it a whizz and throw it in your curry.
Want to know a personal favourite (and this is a real curry secret)
Chilli oil. A handful of oven-baked chillis, a small splash of oil, whack it in one of these, add a spoonful of spicy oil when you need to… Instant spicy curry. It's really easy.
13. A Super Snazzy Curry Apron
Curry stains can be a massive pain. Especially if you've got your best shirt on for an Indian dinner party.
Here's something that will keep your Sunday best looking good, and you can also inject a small touch of humour into the proceedings.
Granted, you don't need to be cooking curry when you wear it. After all, it is just an apron, but this one will fit the bill for a touch of authentic curry chef style.
And the best bit?
You can personalise it!
14. Rice Cooker | Make Life Easy!
Rice isn't the star of the show when it comes to curry. But if you get it wrong, it will be a talking point.
Here's the thing about cooking rice…
It's all about timing. Or, as I like to call it, one more thing to think about while you are trying to cook the best chicken madras of your life.
The solution?
Automate it. As someone who has worked in an Indian restaurant, let me tell you, they don't spend hours rinsing rice and keeping an eye on it. They keep one of these (granted an industrial version) running through the evening.
Add rice. Water. Switch it on.
Seriously, that's what it boils down to (pun intended). Why not make life easy. Cooking rice well is a skill in itself and one of the best gifts for curry lovers because it makes their life easier!
Gifts for Curry Cooks | Summary
How into cooking curry can you get? Regardless of whether you are a beginner or an advanced curry enthusiast, my list of the best gifts for curry cooks should give you a few ideas. Go for one of the following; something that makes it easier, tastier, or increases their knowledge, and you should be good to go. Got any more ideas? Let me know in the comments!
