We recently experienced our first, glorious encounter with curry ketchup. Served with fries at a restaurant, it initially seemed like a gimmick, but with each subsequent bite, we became increasingly addicted to the bittersweet sauce. By the next day, it was all we could think of and we set out to learn more about this condiment.
We're not sure whether the version we had at the restaurant was prepackaged or homemade, but we discovered that curry ketchup is commonly found in Belgium and Germany, home of the popular currywurst, a pork sausage seasoned with curry sauce. Brands such as Heinz, Hela, and Knorr may be found in US import and specialty shops and Amazon.com.
Being DIY types, we thought we could probably make a decent version at home and tried out a couple of techniques. The first one was as simple as adding toasted curry powder to store-bought ketchup, with a ratio of 1 or 1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder to 1/4 cup ketchup (this writer preferred less curry, while her partner liked more). The result was quick and delicious with sweet potato fries.
We also tried out a Saveur recipe for currywurst sauce. Though more time-consuming as it required simmering onions, tomatoes, spices, vinegar, and sugar for about half an hour, it wasn't complicated and yielded a fresher-tasting sauce perfect for sausages, fries, or any dish needing a sweet and spicy condiment. We even used it as a dipping sauce for samosas.
Both versions tasted best after a few hours in the fridge. Of course, there are many variations of curry powder and ketchup, so each cook's batch might vary a bit in sweetness, saltiness, or pungency.
What do you think? Have you tasted and/or made curry ketchup? Would you serve it at your next barbecue or picnic?
• Get the Saveur recipe: Currywurst Sauce
Related: Recipe: Homemade Agave Nectar Ketchup
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You know, if you heat the dry spices in a little liquid first, the flavor is much more developed and not as raw. Just stirring them in to cold ketchup isn't really as good.
There's a German pub in Seattle that has DELICIOUS french fries with their house made curry ketchup. It's called Feierabend and if you are in town, I highly recommend dropping in.
http://www.feierabendseattle.com/Menus.html
Yum! They have curry ketchup at Wurstkuche, a sausage restaurant down the street from my house and it's fantastic! There are lots of other dipping options on the menu, but I can't get past the curry ketchup!
If you want ketchup with a kick just stay away from Heinz. That stuff is terrible - bland tasting and the ingredients are terrible. Buy a store-brand or even bargain-brand ketchup and you'll find it usually tastes a world of different from Heinz, and the ingredients list is way better too.
Or just make your own ketchup which ain't hard either though it does take some time.
Currywurst and fries is a ubiquitous snack in Berlin. I hate curry ketchup and always ask for mustard instead (for which I get strange looks).
For an interesting ketchup alternative I use Jufran Banana Sauce hot.
WURSTKUCHE! The curry ketchup, every time!
Hi, my name is Kaitlin and I'm a curry ketchup addict. I love the stuff. When I moved home from Germany I had such trouble finding it. So delish.
Curry ketchup sounds like a good spin on the everyday condiment, although I'll have a hard time giving up my all-time fav -- ketchup with Sriracha!
There's a bar in New Haven that serves frites (Belgian fries) with 25 different sauces, most of which are ketchup-based, including curry ketchup. It's called Rudy's and is awesome. More bars really ought to serve french fries!
Lorena - that's brilliant! I'm such a fan of Sriracha and hoisin that it never occurred to me to mix it with ketchup.
I'm going to try both of these ideas next time I use ketchup.
http://www.abreadaday.com
Golden State on Fairfax has a great curry ketchup!
I'm a little late posting this, but I used this ketchup all summer long with everything. I added it to mayo and made a curry potato salad with it. I also made dips with it and cooked tofu in it. I would be lost without it now!