A Frugal Take on Japanese Curry Rice: Making it from Regular Curry Powder
Japanese curry rice, also known as "karee raisu" in Japanese, is a popular comfort food in Japan that is often associated with the quintessential Japanese curry roux, Golden Curry. However, did you know that you can make a delicious and authentic-tasting Japanese curry rice using regular curry powder, without breaking the bank? In this article, we’ll show you how to make a flavorful Japanese curry rice using curry powder, and how it can save you $4 each time you make a pot of curry.
The Benefits of Using Regular Curry Powder
Using regular curry powder instead of the expensive Golden Curry roux has several advantages. Firstly, it’s a fraction of the cost. A 113g packet of Golden Curry roux can cost anywhere from $5 to $7, while a bag of regular curry powder can cost as little as $1 to $2. That’s a significant saving, especially for those who enjoy making Japanese curry rice frequently.
Secondly, using regular curry powder gives you more control over the flavor and spice level of your curry. With Golden Curry roux, the flavor is pre-defined and can be overly rich or spicy for some palates. With regular curry powder, you can adjust the amount of spice, salt, and other seasonings to your liking.
How to Make Japanese Curry Rice using Regular Curry Powder
Making Japanese curry rice using regular curry powder is surprisingly simple. Here’s a basic recipe to get you started:
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon of curry powder
- 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour
- 1 can of coconut milk or regular milk
- 2 cups of water or Japanese rice
- Salt, to taste
- Japanese rice, cooked according to package instructions
Instructions:
- Heat the oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened.
- Add the curry powder and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the aroma is released.
- Add the flour and cook for another minute, stirring constantly.
- Gradually add the milk and water, whisking continuously to avoid lumps.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.
- Season with salt to taste.
- Serve the curry sauce over cooked Japanese rice.
Tips and Variations
- To enhance the flavor, add 1-2 tablespoons of grated ginger or 1-2 teaspoons of grated carrot to the curry sauce.
- Use different types of milk, such as coconut milk or almond milk, for a creamier or dairy-free version.
- Add protein sources like cooked chicken, beef, or tofu for added flavor and nutrition.
- Experiment with different spices, such as cumin or coriander, to change up the flavor profile.
The Bottom Line
Making Japanese curry rice using regular curry powder is a cost-effective and flavorful alternative to using Golden Curry roux. With a few simple ingredients and some basic cooking skills, you can create a delicious and authentic-tasting Japanese curry rice that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or special occasion. Try this recipe out and see for yourself how much money you can save each time you make a pot of curry!
Japanese curry rice made from regular curry powder (without using Golden Curry roux) Saves you $4 each time you make a pot of curry
**Ingredients:**
* 5 tsp Regal Spice brand curry powder that I bought from ebay. [https://www.ebay.com/itm/226592954532](https://www.ebay.com/itm/226592954532) It costs around $30 to $40.
* half tsp ginger powder
* half tsp cumin powder
* half tsp turmeric powder
* 4 cup water
* 1 tsp sugar
* 1 and half tsp Knorr chicken bouillon powder (You can buy this from Ebay too. Costs $9 for 2 lbs)
* 4 slices serrano or jalapeno pepper optional if you like spicy
* 1/4 medium onion
* 1 garlic
* 2 medium potatos diced
* 1 of the 8 inch carrot diced
* 1/4 cup flour
* 1 chicken leg diced
* 1 cup of string beans or sliced celery
**Instructions:**
* Cook chicken, potato, and carrot in 2 cups of water for 15 minutes. Then blend onion, jalapeno pepper, flour, and garlic in a blender with 2 cups of water. Pour the 2 cups of water from blender into pot. Add the spices, sugar, chicken powder and string beans into pot and boil another 8 minutes. Stir while boiling. Then serve.
**Note:**
* The reason why you are not eating Curry rice everyday is because the Golden Curry roux is too expensive. One box of that stuff costs like $4.50 and makes only 5 servings. That’s about 3 to 4 cups of curry. But if you use curry powder (Regal Spice brand curry powder) it costs just 50 cents to make 5 or 6 cups of curry, which is 6 to 7 servings. And I guarantee you it tastes just as good as the Golden Curry brand. The reason why I chose Regal Spice brand curry powder is because its the most famous and easily obtainable one. Every manufacturer’s curry powder tastes different since curry itself is not a spice. This is why I also added cumin, turmeric, and ginger powder to balance the taste of Regal curry powder to turn it into Japanese curry.