Indian cuisine is known for its complex flavors and aromas. While many Indian dishes are spicy and savory, there are also a number of sweet curries that are popular across the country. Sweet curries provide a nice contrast to spicy dishes and add variety to Indian mealtimes. Some sweet curries highlight the natural sweetness of fruits and vegetables, while others get their sweetness from sugar, condensed milk, or cream. In this article, we will explore some of the most popular sweet curries in Indian cuisine.
What Makes a Curry Sweet?
Curries can be made sweet in a variety of ways. Some Indian sweet curries rely on ingredients that have an inherent sweetness, like ripe mango, bananas, coconut, tomatoes, carrots, and beets. The natural sugars in these fruits and vegetables provide a mild sweetness to dishes without adding any extra sugar.
Other sweet curries use dairy products to provide creaminess and sweetness. Condensed milk, cream, milk, ghee, and yogurt are often used. The milk solids caramelize when cooked to provide a sweet, nutty flavor.
Some sweet curries get their sweetness from added sugar or jaggery. Jaggery is an unrefined cane sugar that has a rich, molasses-like flavor. Sugar and jaggery accentuate the sweetness of the main ingredients.
Common Indian spices like cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg complement the sweet flavors. They provide warmth and aroma without being too overpowering.
Fruit-Based Sweet Curries
Many popular Indian sweet curries highlight fresh fruits like mangoes, bananas, apples, pineapples, and berries. The juicy fruits break down and impart sweetness as they cook.
Mango Curry
Sweet mango curry may be the most popular fruit-based sweet curry in India. Ripe, juicy mangoes are cooked down into a thick, saucy curry. Onions, tomatoes, and spices like cumin, coriander, and red chili powder are added. It’s rich, fruity, and slightly spicy. Mango curry can be eaten on its own or served with rice, flatbread, or parathas.
Banana Curry
Banana curry made with ripe bananas mixed in a creamy, coconutty sauce is another beloved sweet curry. Bananas lend starchiness and natural sweetness. Coconut milk provides creaminess while onions and tempering spices add savory depth. It’s a comfort food often enjoyed for breakfast or dessert.
Pineapple Curry
Pineapple is cooked with spices until soft and saucy. Onions, tomatoes, ginger, garlic, and chili peppers are common additions. The spicy-sweet flavors pair especially well with roasted or grilled meats. Pineapple curry can also be served with rice or flatbread.
Other Fruit Curries
Many other fruits like apples, pears, berries, papaya, and plums can be made into delicious sweet curries as well. The possibilities are endless when using peak seasonal fruits.
Dairy-Based Sweet Curries
Sweet curries made with condensed milk, cream, milk, ghee, and yogurt have an irresistible richness. The dairy products provide body, creaminess and caramelized sweetness when cooked.
Shahi Korma
This luxurious curry starts with a base of ghee, yogurt, and spices. Meat or vegetables are braised until tender before being finished with condensed milk, cream, and mild spices. Shahi korma has a melt-in-your-mouth texture and addictive sweet, creamy flavor.
Kalakand
Kalakand is a sugary, creamy dessert often made by simmering milk and sugar until it solidifies. It’s eaten as is or flavored with saffron, pistachios, cardamom, and rose water. Kalakand can be served warm or chilled.
Doodh Jaalebi
Jalebis are beloved Indian sweets made by deep frying batter in circular shapes, then soaking in sugar syrup. Doodh jaalebi adds richness by mixing some condensed milk into the batter before frying. This gives a delightful creaminess when soaked in sugary syrup.
Other Dairy-Based Curries
Dishes like paneer makhani, malai kofta, ras malai, phirni, and gulab jamun also use dairy products to achieve sweet, creamy textures. There are endless ways to use milk, cream, and cheese in Indian sweet curries.
Sugar-Sweetened Curries
Some of the most indulgent Indian sweet curries get their sweetness from generous amounts of added sugar or jaggery. The sugar balances and complements savory spices and ingredients.
Channa Masala
Chickpea curry is made by braising chickpeas in a tomato-onion sauce with garlic, ginger, and spices. Brown sugar or jaggery is then stirred in to provide a touch of sweetness. Sweet channa masala can be enjoyed on its own or served with puri or bhature puffed fried bread.
Kadhi Pakora
This Punjab specialty involves making a spiced yogurt-chickpea flour broth. Pakora fritters are simmered in the curry along with sugar to provide contrast to the tangy, spicy flavors. The sweet kadhi is often served with rice or naan.
Aam Ka Korma
While mango curry highlights the inherent sweetness of ripe mangoes, aam ka korma adds extra sugar to caramelized onions and spices. It has a deep, jammy flavor that pairs well with meats like goat, chicken, or shrimp.
Other Sugar-Sweetened Curries
Veggie curries like pumpkin, beets, sweet potatoes, or bottle gourd are delicious when cooked with a touch of sugar. Even some seafood and meat curries balance savory flavors with sugar.
Common Sweet Curry Ingredients
While the possibilities are endless, there are some ingredients commonly used as the base for Indian sweet curries:
| Fruits | Mangoes, bananas, pineapples, apples, pears, papaya, berries |
| Vegetables | Carrots, beets, sweet potatoes, bottle gourd |
| Dairy | Condensed milk, cream, milk, paneer, ghee, yogurt |
| Nuts | Cashews, almonds, pistachios |
| Sweeteners | Sugar, jaggery, honey |
| Spices | Cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg |
Regional Sweet Curries
While sweet curries are prepared all over India, some regions have particular specialty dishes:
North India
– Shahi korma – Rich, creamy curries
– Kalakand – Sweetened milk solids
– Channa masala – Sweet chickpeas
West India
– Paneer makhani – Creamy tomato-butter paneer
– Malai kofta – Fried potato-cheese balls in creamy sauce
East India
– Ras malai – Cheese balls in sweet cream
– Sandesh – Sweetened curdled milk solids
– Mishti doi – Sweet yogurt
South India
– Mango curry – Fruit curries
– Payasam – Sweet milk puddings
– Semiya payasam – Vermicelli puddings
Tips for Making Sweet Curries
Making delicious sweet curries at home is easy by following a few helpful tips:
– Use ripe, sweet fruits and vegetables in season for natural sweetness
– Cook onions and tomatoes thoroughly to develop sweetness
– Simmer dairy products on low heat so the milk solids don’t curdle
– Add sweeteners like sugar gradually until desired taste is reached
– Use spices conservatively so they provide subtle warmth rather than overwhelm
– Allow time for flavors to meld by braising meats, legumes, and vegetables sufficiently before finishing with dairy or sweeteners
– Adjust consistency by simmering uncovered for a thicker sauce or adding water for a thinner gravy
– Garnish with nuts, raisins, fried onions, or cilantro to provide texture
Serving Recommendations
Indian sweet curries can be served:
– As a main dish accompanied by rice, naan, or parathas
– As a side to contrast with spicy curries in a main meal
– Stirred into plain yogurt or drizzled with cream for a dessert
– Spooned over fruits for an impromptu salad
– Over roasted vegetables like cauliflower or eggplant
– With fried street foods like samosas, kachori, or jalebi
– Stuffed into parathas, dosas, uttapam or other stuffed breads
The possibilities are endless when it comes to serving sweet curries in appetizing ways!
Conclusion
Indian cuisine boasts a wide array of mouthwatering sweet curries beyond just savory dishes. Whether it’s fruit-based, dairy-rich, or sugar-sweetened, these curries provide a touch of indulgence and variety to meals. Common ingredients unite sweet curries across regions while local specialties give each their own flair. With a vast range to explore and simple tips to follow, anyone can whip up delicious Indian sweet curries at home. Satisfy your sweet tooth while exploring the diversity of Indian food!