• Home
  • Get to Know Me
  • Blog Topics
    • Backyard Garden
    • Homestead Animals
    • Real Food
    • Simple Living
  • Contact Me
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

The 104 Homestead

Homestead where you live.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

By Dana Thompson | Last updated on March 25, 2020

Traditional Fijian Indian Curry from Scratch

Check your inbox!

Subscribe to The Homestead Helper, a monthly(ish) homesteading newsletter) to get your Common Kitchen Conversions Cheat Sheet


Heads up! I link to products and services that I love from time to time. More often than not I have an affiliate relationship with these providers. What does that mean? I might make a small percentage from any purchases you make, but don't worry, you won't pay even a penny more. Thanks for supporting The 104 Homestead. You can see our full disclosure statement here.

Jump to Recipe
  • 224shares
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • WhatsApp
  • Share

This curry uses masala – which is a fancy word for simply a spice blend. This recipe takes an hour and a half from beginning to end but it’s really worth the wait!

This curry uses masala – which is a fancy word for simply a spice blend. This recipe takes 1 1/2 hours from beginning to end but it's really worth the wait!

Surprise your Guests with a Traditional Fijian Indian Curry from Scratch

My very best friend in the whole wide world is Fijian Indian and she makes the best curries. This is my take on her chicken curry. They don’t have fancy names like what you see in Indian restaurants, but this is so yummy, it doesn’t need a fancy name.

This curry uses masala – which is a fancy word for simply a spice blend. This is not what you might buy in a little packet in the supermarket labelled Garam Masala. Instead you can buy a pre-made batch from your local Indian store, or alternately use this recipe below.

Homemade Masala Recipe

This masala recipe makes quite a lot, and each batch of curry only uses 2 Tablespoons, so it will last you quite a while. In Indian families, their own masala recipe is passed down from generation to generation, with the elder women getting huge batches made to their specific recipe, then they share it out among their children and grandchildren.

Lightly roast one cup of coriander seeds, 1/4 cup of cumin seeds, and three teaspoons of fenugreek seeds in a frying pan on low heat, set aside

Put your roasted seed mixture as well as a cinnamon stick, two teaspoons of cloves, five whole green cardamom pods, two teaspoons of black peppercorns, twenty dried curry leaves, one star anise, and two teaspoons of turmeric into a spice grinder or a mortar and pestle and grind to a fine powder. Store in a sealed jar. For best flavor, use within a year.

0 from 0 votes
Print
Homemade Masala
Total Time
10 mins
 
Masala is a special blend of spices ground into a powder for use in Indian cooking.
Author: Dana Thompson
Ingredients
  • 1 c. Coriander Seeds
  • 1/4 c. Cumin Seeds
  • 3 tsp. Fenugreek Seeds
  • 1 cinnamon stick broken up
  • 2 tsp. Cloves
  • 5 Green Cardamom Pods whole
  • 2 tsp. Black Peppercorns
  • 20 Curry Leaves dried
  • 1 Star Anise
  • 2 tsp. Turmeric Powder
Instructions
  1. Lightly roast the coriander seeds, cumin seeds, and fenugreek seeds in a frying pan on low heat. Set aside.
  2. Place all the ingredients in a spice grinder or a mortar and pestle and grind to a fine powder.
  3. Store in a sealed jar.
Recipe Notes

For best flavor, use within a year.

Traditional Fijian Indian Curry

Remove the skin from four pounds chicken and then using a heavy knife or cleaver, cut your chicken into 1-1 1/2 inch cubes – leave the bones in and chop through them as needed. The marrow adds amazing depth to the flavor. You can use boneless, skinless thigh meat if you prefer.

Chop up two medium onions and two medium tomatoes into small cubes.

This curry uses masala – which is a fancy word for simply a spice blend. This recipe takes 1 1/2 hours from beginning to end but it's really worth the wait!

In a mortar and pestle combine six cloves of garlic, one teaspoon of salt, a 2″ piece of ginger and two long red chilies (fresh or dried, discard the seeds for less heat). Mash them until they are a paste.

In a large pot over a low heat cook your onions in coconut oil, butter, or fat until they are starting to caramelize. Add all the spice paste, masala, and dried spices. Cook through from 2-3 minutes. Add the chicken and the tomatoes and stir well to coat.

This curry uses masala – which is a fancy word for simply a spice blend. This recipe takes 1 1/2 hours from beginning to end but it's really worth the wait!

Cover with a lid and cook on a medium heat until the juices come out of the chicken (10-20 minutes), then continue to cook and stir intermittently until the mixture dries out somewhat and allow it to brown the chicken slightly on the bottom of the pot (40-60 minutes).

Add 1/2 – 1 cup of water or chicken stock and bring it to the boil. Cook for a further 10 – 15 minutes.

This curry uses masala – which is a fancy word for simply a spice blend. This recipe takes 1 1/2 hours from beginning to end but it's really worth the wait!

Serve with roti or naan bread, dhal, and some steamed rice. If you need some help making bread, look no further.

0 from 0 votes
Print
Indian Chicken Curry
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
1 hr 40 mins
Total Time
2 hrs
 
Author: Dana Thompson
Ingredients
  • 4 lb Chicken – Thighs are best or use a whole chicken cut up
  • 2 medium brown onions
  • 2 medium tomatoes
  • 6 cloves of garlic
  • 2 inch piece of ginger root
  • 2 long red chilies
  • 2 Tablespoons coconut oil/butter/fat
  • 2 Tablespoons masala
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
  1. Remove the skin from your chicken and cut into 1-1 1/2 inch cubes – leave in the bones and chop through them as needed or use boneless, skinless thigh meat if you prefer.
  2. Chop up your onions and tomatoes into small cubes.
  3. In a mortar and pestle combine the garlic, salt, ginger and chilies. Mash them until they are a paste.
  4. In a large pot over a low heat cook your onions in the oil until they are starting to caramelize.
  5. Add all the spice paste, masala, and dried spices. Cook through for 2-3 minutes.
  6. Add the chicken and the tomatoes and stir well to coat.
  7. Cover with a lid and cook on a medium heat until the juices come out of the chicken (10-20 minutes), then continue to cook and stir intermittently until the mixture dries out somewhat and allow it to brown the chicken slightly on the bottom of the pot (40-60 minutes).
  8. Add 1/2 – 1 cup of water or chicken stock and bring it to the boil. Cook for a further 10 – 15 minutes.

Serves 4-6. Takes 1 1/2 hours from beginning to end but it is really worth the wait! For another great rice dish, check out Something From Nothing Fried Rice or An Easy Broccoli Rice & Cheese Casserole.

This curry uses masala – which is a fancy word for simply a spice blend. This recipe takes 1 1/2 hours from beginning to end but it's really worth the wait!

You May Also Like

  • Simply Sourdough: The Ultimate Recipe RoundupSimply Sourdough: The Ultimate Recipe Roundup
  • Instant Pot and Slow Cooker Meals for DinnerInstant Pot and Slow Cooker Meals for Dinner
  • Grandma’s Gingerbread Pancakes with MolassesGrandma’s Gingerbread Pancakes with Molasses
  • Freezer-Friendly Leek, Garlic and Potato SoupFreezer-Friendly Leek, Garlic and Potato Soup
  • 224shares
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • WhatsApp
  • Share
The following two tabs change content below.
  • Bio
  • Latest Posts
My Twitter profileMy Facebook profileMy Pinterest profile

Dana Thompson

Dana is a homeschooling, homesteading mama of 3 living in the south of New Zealand. She writes at Piwakawaka Valley, where she shares her journey starting a homestead from scratch on 10 acres south of Dunedin, New Zealand.
My Twitter profileMy Facebook profileMy Pinterest profile

Latest posts by Dana Thompson (see all)

  • Cinnamon Sugar Sourdough Donut Holes Recipe - September 11, 2017
  • Freezer-Friendly Leek, Garlic and Potato Soup - June 3, 2017
  • Garlic Potato Soup with Leeks Recipe - June 3, 2017
  • Quick and Easy Gluten Free Apple Crumble - April 28, 2017
  • GF Homemade Apple Crumble/Apple Crisp Recipe - April 28, 2017

Filed Under: Real Food Tagged With: Recipes

Subscribe

Thank you! You will receive an email in your inbox shortly to confirm your subscription.

Subscribe to The Homestead Helper and receive a copy of my new book, Welcome to the World of Homesteading, your guide to setting attainable homesteading goals. If I can homestead where I live, what's stopping you?

Previous Post: « There Are 100 Ways to Milk a Goat – Find the Right Way for You
Next Post: GF Homemade Apple Crumble/Apple Crisp Recipe »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Helen says

    January 11, 2019 at 1:46 pm

    Hi my Mother was a from Fiji and I gave been trying to recreate her curry for years. She had passed away before I was smart enough to learn it. I tried this recipe in hopes it would be the same. First question when cooking for the additional 40 to 60 minutes should the lid be on? Also the chicken seemed to have shredded and yes I used a whole chicken not just breast. Also hers was more of a green color and when you ate it it made you sweat but you just kept on eating because you couldn’t stop. Any thoughts on why it was more green and how I could spice it up?

    Reply
    • Priya Fernandes says

      August 31, 2020 at 5:56 pm

      Hi Helen,
      The green colour in my chicken curry comes from a paste of cilantro (fresh coriander leaves) and green chillies instead of red. The rest of the spices are more or less the same. I make fresh paste for my green curry.
      Hope this tip makes yiurs more like your mom’s curry.
      Anyway remember the taste is tinged with good memories and nostalgia.Make your own great curry. Your mom’s is up there, untouched by any other
      Regards
      Priya

      Reply
  2. Daron says

    November 30, 2018 at 7:55 am

    I spent some time in Fiji studying sustainability and the curries there were amazing! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  3. Alvin says

    April 18, 2018 at 12:55 am

    Tomatoes is optional in chicken or lamb curries here in Fiji.
    A level teaspoon of red chillie powder will give the curry a nice color and flavor. It will add a bit reddish color and flavor to the gravy. I usually add full teaspoon since i like hot and spicy curry.
    Now days Masala is widely available and can be bought ready made in packets from Indian stores around the world.

    Reply
  4. Pat says

    March 12, 2018 at 5:19 pm

    Hello 🙂 What kind of long red chilies are these?

    Reply
  5. Anonymous says

    November 29, 2017 at 5:36 pm

    hi<
    You didn't use any masala in that chicken curry?

    Reply
    • Dana Thompson says

      November 29, 2017 at 9:50 pm

      Good spotting! There should be 2 Tablespoons of it in with the chicken 🙂 I will get that fixed!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Welcome!

My name is Jessica Lane. I live a nearly self-sufficient lifestyle with my three beautiful children on 5 1/2 acres in Maine. We raise Nigerian Dwarf goats, ducks, and chickens, and we grow as much food as we can. What we can’t grow or produce ourselves we barter for. If we can homestead where we live, what’s stopping you?

Read More

Search This Site

Now Trending

I really, really don’t like ants. That being said, as a lover of bees and other beneficial insects, I am always incredibly reluctant to use pesticides.

Get Rid of Ants Naturally With These Tips

You can tap many types of trees for syrup. The list is quite long and includes all varieties of maples as well as walnuts, birches, sycamores and ironwoods.

Trees You Can Tap for Syrup

Lots of people have resorted to making their own herbal remedies because the list of side effects for prescription and over the counter medications is overwhelming.

Making Your Own Herbal Remedies

Keep In Touch

  • 68,892 Pinteresting Followers
  • 27,088 Facebook Friends
  • 4,994 Twitastic Friends
  • 2,446 InstaBuddies
  • 245 Subscribers

Psst! I Sell Holistic Goat Treats

  • Home
  • Homestead Living
  • Real Food
  • Homestead Animals
  • Gardening & Outdoors
  • Inspiring Homesteads

Footer

Disclaimer

I am not a doctor, lawyer, veterinarian or Martha Stewart. Please use the knowledge acquired from this site responsibly.

See Our Privacy Policy

Disclosure

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Work With Me

Become a Contributor/Guest Writer
Advertise on The 104 Homestead
Contact Me

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
My cat is so weird... #catsofinstagram #weirdcats My cat is so weird... #catsofinstagram #weirdcats #getcomfortable
Can't get out to garden yet, so I've rekindled an Can't get out to garden yet, so I've rekindled an old hobby. I'm hoping to wrap the top up today and then I have to (not so patiently) wait for my back fabric to arrive. #quiltsofinstagram #quiltingismytherapy #bigfinish #coveredinthreadhere
Good morning little ducky. She is SO not impressed Good morning little ducky. She is SO not impressed with me right now. #Backyardduck #backyardducks #ducksofig #ducksofinstagram #poultryofinstagram #poultrypose #instaduck #happyducks #duckpaparazzi #backyardpoultry #ducktherapy #freerange #farmlife #lifeouthere #homesteading #homesteadingit #homestead #farmlifebestlife #thehomegrownlife #farmlove #backyardfarm #familyfarm
Duck egg crepes for this beautiful Sunday morning. Duck egg crepes for this beautiful Sunday morning. 62° high today! I think we're going to go have a little fire outside and fill the kiddie pool for the duckies. #crèpes #duckeggrecipes #farmlife #homesteadingit #lifeouthere #homestead #simpleliving #backyardfarm #homesteading #nothingisordinary #instagood #farmlifebestlife #thehomegrownlife #farmlove #farmliving #familyfarm #sustainability #homesteadlife #consciousliving #selfreliant #farmscene
How am I doing mentally? Not well apparently. I'm How am I doing mentally? Not well apparently. I'm not sure if I brought in the dummy egg or the kids did, but I do know I tried cracking it *twice* before catching on.
Happy Pi Day from my family to yours. #piday #pies Happy Pi Day from my family to yours. #piday #piestagram #blueberrypie #chocolatecreampie #piesfordays
Load More... Follow on Instagram
© 2013-2020 Jessica Lane of The 104 Homestead