Paddy McGuinness feels the warmth in curry masterclass
The UK’s most beloved curry has been revealed as tikka masala, with nearly half of Brits admitting they can’t handle anything spicier.
The research, conducted by Onken to mark National Curry Week from October 7 to 13, found that a staggering 89% of adults enjoy curry, with the average person indulging in it five times a month.
Following the poll, Paddy McGuinness teamed up with Onken and Masterchef 2024 winner Brin Pirathapan to create a ‘Curry In a Hurry’ menu as part of the brand’s ‘Feed Your Inner Happiness’ campaign.
Paddy said: “I’m heading off on tour soon, and trust me, the temptation of a takeaway curry is real. Onken brought me together with Brin to teach me how to make three quick and easy curries that even I can do.”
“And let me tell you, I absolutely nailed it. I even added my own top tips, so you can make time to feed your inner happiness at home.”
Rounding out the top five were biryani and rogan josh, while jalfrezi, Balti, madras, bhuna, and saag completed the top 10.
(Image: PinPep)
The study also found that 41% of respondents had attempted to recreate their favourite takeaway curry at home, with tikka masala (31%) being the most tried, followed by korma (29%) and madras (18%).
Brin Pirathapan stated: “There are so many tasty curries bursting with different flavours out there, but a third of us only have one to two curry dishes in our repertoire.”
“So, I created three quick and easy ‘Curry In a Hurry’ recipes, with top tips for you and Paddy to master at home.”
It’s typical for those who cook curry at home to spend around 45 minutes preparing the dish. With 34% making the meal from scratch and 35% opting for ready-made sauces
However, despite this effort, research conducted via OnePoll revealed that 58% believe homemade curries never quite match up to restaurant or takeaway versions.
Those who hold this view argue that homemade attempts lack in flavour (68%), sauce thickness (34%), and spiciness (34%). As well as the creaminess of the sauce (31%) and tenderness of the meat (30%).
Mathilde van Roon, head of Onken, Emmi UK, commented: “The stats show Brits love curry but are put off by the time it takes to make one at home, plus they struggle to get the same flavours and creaminess.”
UK’S FAVOURITE CURRIES:
- Tikka masala
- Korma
- Butter chicken
- Biryani
- Rogan Josh
- Jalfrezi
- Balti
- Madras
- Bhuna
- Saag
PADDY AND BRIN’S TOP HACKS FOR ‘CURRY IN A HURRY’:
- SQUEASY DOES IT: Use garlic and ginger paste to save time chopping.
- TENDER LOVING CARE: Marinate the meat with yoghurt to make it more tender.
- A SPEEDY SIDE : Get your hands on some microwaveable rice and a pack of readymade naan bread.
- FREE-ZE TIME: Batch cook the recipe, put the surplus into a container and pop it in the fridge or freezer for another day.
- TOO HOT TO HANDLE: A spoonful of natural set yogurt works wonders on curries if you’ve gone overboard with heat.
