It’s National Curry Week! I do like a good curry. I’m a fan of mild curries myself – Korma, Tikka Masala, Thai Green, that sort of thing. I like my curries full of flavour but want to be able to feel my lips by the end of my meal.
Sadly (or perhaps not sadly, your choice!), curries can be extremely high in fat due to ingredients like double cream, coconut milk and yoghurt. Did you know that the average Chicken Tikka Masala contains an incredible 1500 calories? No way!! That’s information I probably shouldn’t have shared, sorry.
A little while ago I was sent some Quark to try out; a more than useful naturally fat free spoon-able soft cheese that can be used in place of lots of other dairy products such as cream cheese, mascarpone, ricotta cheese, Greek yogurt, fromage frais, double cream and even soured cream. It’s the consistency of normal soft cheese, has a cheesy taste, and is versatile. I was sold when I wrote my review back in May (read it here).
To celebrate National Curry Week Lake District Dairy Co sent me a recipe and some Quark so I could give this Quark Chicken Tikka Masala a try. You can read the recipe on the Lake District Dairy Co website.
I have to say we both found the curry rather cheesy! I mean, Quark is a type of cheese after all, but we were surprised with how much the flavour came through in every mouthful. It was nice; the chicken was lovely and tender, there was plenty of sauce, and it was definitely much healthier than using other dairy ingredients. But there was the taste of cheese running through the dish, which was sadly a little overpowering, even with using the full 75ml Tikka Masala paste. I had tasted the sauce before I added the Quark and it was lovely – warming and full of flavour. I think next time I will use half the amount of Quark as it did turn the dish into a creamy curry.
Let me know if you try it and if so, what you think.
I have seen Lake District Dairy Co. Quark in the chiller aisle of large supermarkets like Morrisons and local convenience stores (my local Budgens stocks it); it’s well worth a try.