No other culinary term evokes more mystery and magic than "curry". Is it an Indian dish? A Thai menu mainstay? Or just a spice in your cupboard? Well, it's all of these-and so much more!

In constant migration throughout the world's cuisines, most notably India, Southeast Asia and Africa, curries can best be described as savory dishes served in a spiced sauce. Take a tour of your favorite curries home with easy-to-use ingredients from EthnicGrocer.com

Thai curries are most recognized by their fiery chili pastes and fragrant herbs bathed in a rich coconut milk sauce and served atop of bed of aromatic jasmine rice

Aromatic jasmine rice-the finishing
touch to an authentic Thai curry!

Similar to Thai curries in consistency and spice, Indian curries are built on a complex spice mixture-or "masala" and usually not served in a coconut milk sauce.

This traditional spice mixture
features cinnamon, cloves and
black cardamom.

Ghee is India's commonly used
cooking fat. This pure clarified butter provides a rich nutty buttery taste
to curries.

Many of India's curries are vegetarian,
built on hearty legumes, such as these
yellow split peas.