Lisa Ann wrote:

> After looking at modom's picture of dinner and reading his post, I realized
> that I truly have no idea what "a curry" is.
>
> I know you can get curry powders, in different degrees of hotness or
> spiciness.
>
> But is curry the entire dish? (i.e., curried chicken). Is it the sauce?
> (Because his opening statement of "that's a curry with chicken chunks" is
> what led to these questions.)
>
> For some reason, until I started lurking here, I always thought curry was a
> way of preparing rice - I have no idea where I got that idea.
>
> I also realized that, except for the okra, I think I would have enjoyed that
> meal, modom!
>
> But what is "a curry"?
>
> And if it's simply "food cooked with curry seasonings", please just laugh
> hysterically at me and carry on.

It is generic term for spice mixtures and the dishes made with them. Curry
powder is a mixture of spices. Real Indian cooking usually involves preparing
and mixing the spices as part of the meal preparation.