Mushroom Curry: Should You Add This Ingredient?

Mushrooms are a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, including curries. Mushroom curry is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a quick and tasty meal. It is a vegan and gluten-free Indian dish made with mushrooms, onions, garlic, and warm spices. The creamy curry can be served over a bed of rice or with flatbreads like roti, parathas, or naan. You can also experiment with different types of mushrooms, spices, and ingredients to customize the curry to your taste.

Mushroom curry recipe variations

Mushroom curry is a vegan Indian dish that can be made in a variety of ways. Here are some recipe variations:

Simple Mushroom Curry

This recipe is perfect for a quick, tasty, and easy meal. Start by sauteing mushrooms, garlic, and onions for a few minutes until tender. Then, add in your choice of milk—almond, cow, coconut, or another plant-based option—and stir continuously. Finally, toss in the spices and cook for about 10 minutes until the mixture thickens. You can use button, portobello, or chestnut mushrooms, or a combination of different varieties, to add tons of flavor.

Mushroom Masala Curry

This variation involves stir-frying mushrooms and simmering them in a spicy and fragrant ginger-garlic curry base. The key ingredients include fresh tomatoes, cashew nuts or coconut milk, and spices such as cumin seeds, cardamom, and cinnamon. For a nut-free, dairy-free, and coconut-free version, boil and puree onions with tomatoes, and use heavy cream instead of milk. You can also add green peas, boiled chickpeas, paneer, tofu, or potatoes to this curry.

Chicken and Mushroom Curry

For a heartier option, try this chicken and mushroom curry. Bone-in chicken is simmered in a smooth cashew sauce, and the dish is topped with fried button mushrooms. The curry includes onions, yogurt, pureed tomatoes, and spices, resulting in a thick, rich, and tangy flavor profile.

Spicy Garlicky Mushroom Curry

This variation is perfect for those who enjoy a strong garlic flavor. The mushrooms are cooked in a rich tomato masala spiced with ground ginger, fennel seeds, and cumin. It is a great option for an autumn supper and can be served with rice or naan.

Preparing mushrooms for curry

Once you have chosen your mushrooms, it is important to clean them thoroughly. Avoid washing them directly in water, as mushrooms are porous and can become soggy. Instead, use a damp paper towel or a soft brush to gently remove any dirt from the mushrooms. If the mushrooms are organic and relatively clean, wiping them with a moist cloth may be sufficient. After cleaning, remove any stems and slice or chop the mushrooms evenly to ensure uniform cooking. Thicker slices will result in a meatier texture, while thinner slices will be more tender.

Before adding the mushrooms to your curry, it is recommended to sauté them separately in a pan. This allows them to release their moisture and develop a deeper flavour as they brown. Fry the mushrooms in batches, starting with larger mushrooms and then adding the smaller ones, ensuring even cooking. Transfer the cooked mushrooms to a plate and set them aside temporarily.

By following these steps, you will have well-prepared mushrooms that are ready to be incorporated into your curry. Sautéing the mushrooms beforehand not only enhances their flavour but also allows you to build layers of flavour in your dish, which is essential when creating a delicious and satisfying mushroom curry.

Spices and seasoning

To begin, heat oil or ghee in a pan. You can use a neutral-flavoured oil or ghee, depending on your preference. Next, add the whole spices, which are optional but add depth of flavour. Common whole spices used in mushroom curry include bay leaves, cumin seeds, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, mace, and black cardamom. Saute these spices until fragrant, then add the onions and saute until golden brown.

After the onions are cooked, it's time to add the ginger and garlic. These ingredients form the base of the curry along with onions, tomatoes, and mushrooms. You can crush the ginger and garlic together into a coarse blend and saute them with the onions. Alternatively, you can add them separately and saute for about a minute before moving on to the next step.

Now it's time to add the ground spices, which give the curry its distinct Indian flavours. Common ground spices used in mushroom curry include red chilli powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, turmeric powder, and garam masala. You can adjust the amount of chilli powder and add green chillies to increase or decrease the spice level according to your taste. If you don't have garam masala, you can substitute it with curry powder or meat masala, which will give a slightly different flavour.

At this point, you can also add tomatoes and cook them down until they become thick and aromatic. You can use fresh tomatoes, canned crushed tomatoes, or tomato puree, depending on your preference. If you want a creamy texture, you can add cashew nuts, coconut milk, or heavy cream. Blend the cashews with hot water to create a smooth cream or puree, or you can blend them with the tomatoes for an extra creamy texture.

Finally, add the mushrooms and stir-fry them until they are cooked to your desired level of doneness. You can use white button mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, portobello mushrooms, cremini mushrooms, or any other variety you prefer. Each type of mushroom will give a unique taste, flavour, and texture to your curry. Adjust the cooking time accordingly, as some mushrooms may take longer to cook than others.

Accompaniments

Mushroom curry is a delicious and versatile dish that can be served with a variety of accompaniments to enhance its flavour and make it a complete meal. Here are some ideas for sides that will perfectly complement your mushroom curry:

Rice

Rice is a classic accompaniment to curry, and for good reason. It soaks up the delicious sauce and provides a neutral base to balance the complex flavours of the curry. Basmati rice, in particular, is a popular choice, as its long grains have a nice texture and delicate aroma. You can serve it plain, steamed, or boiled, and it goes well with the creamy consistency of the mushroom curry.

Flatbreads

Indian flatbreads are another excellent option to scoop up the curry and provide a contrasting texture. Naan, roti, parathas, and chapattis are all great choices that will add a bit of chewiness and heartiness to your meal. If you want to get creative, you can even make or buy flavoured naan, such as garlic or butter naan, to add another layer of flavour.

Dal

Dal, or lentil soup, is a traditional Indian side dish that pairs beautifully with mushroom curry. It adds a bit of extra protein to your meal and can be customised to your preferred spice level. A good dal will have a nice creamy texture that complements the earthiness of the mushrooms.

Vegetables

If you want to add more vegetables to your meal, there are several options that work well with mushroom curry. You can serve it with a simple side salad or steamed vegetables, or you could try something more substantial like oven-baked potatoes or stir-fried peppers. Mushroom pulao, which is a rice dish with vegetables and spices, is another tasty option that will complement the flavours of the curry.

Condiments

To add even more flavour to your mushroom curry, consider serving it with a variety of condiments. Yogurt, either plain or flavoured with garlic or spices, can add a nice tanginess and help cool down the dish if it's spicy. Chutneys, such as mint or coriander, can also add a burst of flavour, and pickles, like mango or lime, can provide a nice contrast with their sour and salty notes.

Chicken and mushroom curry

One recipe for chicken and mushroom curry involves using skinless and boneless chicken breasts or thighs, butter, olive oil or another type of cooking oil, shiitake or other seasonal mushrooms, an onion, garlic, coconut milk, and red curry paste. Warm the butter and oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet, add the chicken and cook for about 5 minutes or until lightly browned. Then, add the mushrooms, onion, and garlic and cook for another 5 minutes. Stir in the coconut milk and red curry paste and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened to your liking. Season with salt and pepper and serve over rice, garnished with parsley.

Another recipe for chicken and mushroom curry uses boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cooking oil, diced onion, minced garlic cloves, grated ginger root, sliced white mushrooms, various spices (garam masala, fennel seed, cumin, coriander, turmeric, and cinnamon), diced tomatoes, water, and sugar, garnished with cilantro leaves. First, warm the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat, add the chicken and cook for 8-10 minutes until browned, then transfer to a plate. In the pot, combine the onion, garlic, and ginger and cook for 2-3 minutes. Stir in the mushrooms and spices, then add the tomatoes, water, and sugar. Return the chicken to the pot and cook until the sauce has thickened to your liking.

Mushrooms are a versatile ingredient that can be cooked in many different ways, and they add a lot of flavor to a curry. Chicken and mushroom curry can be served with rice or flatbreads such as roti, parathas, or naan. It is a quick and easy dish that can be adjusted to your taste preferences and is sure to satisfy your curry craving!

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