Made Indian food—house and clothes smell like curry now

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s no secret that some foods and the way the language is used with them are used as slurs or stereotypes against non- white people.

Why not just be sensitive to that, does it harm you in some way to do so? Just like seemingly to you harmless statements with regard to black people and watermelon can be a cause for feelings to be hurt or offended, same with Indians and saying ‘smells like curry’. Like the smell of Indian food is inherently bad. Food that has been part of their culture for millennia. It creates a stigma.

It’s fine to say you’ve got strong food odors you’re trying to get out or just hey, it smells like butter chicken. Or it smells like turmeric. But what people are trying to convey is that ‘smells like curry’ has been used as a common slur and used to discriminate against too, so maybe choose less offensive language.

+1 absolutely, it's the phrasing of OP subject line that's offensive. Indian-American here.

No one cares of (South) Asians are offended, generally.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can someone explain to me what ‘curry’ spice is? I’m of Indian origin and never heard of it. I cook with chillie powder, cumin, coriander, cardomom, ginger, garlic etc. What is ‘curry spice’ that Americans talk about?

It’s the same thing as garam masala. It’s just a blend of spices that are typically used in Indian food.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s no secret that some foods and the way the language is used with them are used as slurs or stereotypes against non- white people.

Why not just be sensitive to that, does it harm you in some way to do so? Just like seemingly to you harmless statements with regard to black people and watermelon can be a cause for feelings to be hurt or offended, same with Indians and saying ‘smells like curry’. Like the smell of Indian food is inherently bad. Food that has been part of their culture for millennia. It creates a stigma.

It’s fine to say you’ve got strong food odors you’re trying to get out or just hey, it smells like butter chicken. Or it smells like turmeric. But what people are trying to convey is that ‘smells like curry’ has been used as a common slur and used to discriminate against too, so maybe choose less offensive language.

+1 absolutely, it's the phrasing of OP subject line that's offensive. Indian-American here.

No one cares of (South) Asians are offended, generally.

Agree that the phrasing of OP subject line is offensive. When I read the subject line the first thing that came to my mind the OP is saying is: Warning to others - I am made Indian food and it really stinks. If OP feels that way, it is fine but not needed for a thread. More than asking how to get the smell out - which is obvious open windows, doors, spray febreze, it seems the title wants to share a opinion.

[Anonymous]

Doesn't all food smells permeates into fabrics? My neighbor's house smell like cabbage and old socks. Another neighbors house smells like a cheap diner- greasy.

Many people have a recirculating exhaust that recirculates the air into the house. We got a huge over the cooktop exhaust that vents outside the house. Anytime you are frying anything, but especially onions and garlic, your house will smell. Our go to is to turn off the AC/heat, start the exhaust, shut off the doors to every room, put all coats and jackets in the closet and shut the door, get some cross ventilation going and vent at the same side where the kitchen exhaust vents and finally, dress in "cooking clothes". I normally cook first thing in the morning, so that I can vent out everything, air everything and clean everything.

Unless I am just cooking oatmeal, eggs and toast, I have to take these precautions because every yummy food - Korean, Chinese, Italian, Indian, Mexican, American - will have some recipe that will have something to do with onions and garlic and there is always some frying or sauteeing involved.

The problem is not of cuisine. It is how the homes are designed, constructed, furnished, heated/cooled in this country. There are smell traps everywhere, kitchens are in the middle of the house with no area for outdoors cooking, the air is constantly getting recirculated.

- Indian housewife.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s no secret that some foods and the way the language is used with them are used as slurs or stereotypes against non- white people.

Why not just be sensitive to that, does it harm you in some way to do so? Just like seemingly to you harmless statements with regard to black people and watermelon can be a cause for feelings to be hurt or offended, same with Indians and saying ‘smells like curry’. Like the smell of Indian food is inherently bad. Food that has been part of their culture for millennia. It creates a stigma.

It’s fine to say you’ve got strong food odors you’re trying to get out or just hey, it smells like butter chicken. Or it smells like turmeric. But what people are trying to convey is that ‘smells like curry’ has been used as a common slur and used to discriminate against too, so maybe choose less offensive language.

+1 absolutely, it's the phrasing of OP subject line that's offensive. Indian-American here.

No one cares of (South) Asians are offended, generally.

Agree that the phrasing of OP subject line is offensive. When I read the subject line the first thing that came to my mind the OP is saying is: Warning to others - I am made Indian food and it really stinks. If OP feels that way, it is fine but not needed for a thread. More than asking how to get the smell out - which is obvious open windows, doors, spray febreze, it seems the title wants to share a opinion.

Yes I'm a PP and you captured what bothered me, that it sounds like an "ewww" warning.

[Anonymous]

OP, I bet it’s the cumin. That stuff smells like BO. I have put small pinches of it in things that call for it, but I’m at the point where I avoid it if I can, including in things like beef and bean chili.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone explain to me what ‘curry’ spice is? I’m of Indian origin and never heard of it. I cook with chillie powder, cumin, coriander, cardomom, ginger, garlic etc. What is ‘curry spice’ that Americans talk about?

Go to the Whole Foods spice aisle or Penzeys. You will see one or two bottles labeled “Curry Powder.”

Indians don’t cook with that. We don’t use anything called “curry.”

Right, but I’m saying OP may well have used such a blend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can’t help with the smell issue, but would you mind sharing the recipe? I love butter chicken.

https://myheartbeets.com/instant-pot-butter-chicken/

I like a lot of her recipes.

Indian American here, and I also like her recipes.

[Anonymous]

There's no "curry powder" in the recipe that OP linked to:

Spices

▢ 1 teaspoon coriander powder
▢ 1 teaspoon garam masala
▢ 1 teaspoon paprika
▢ 1 teaspoon salt
▢ 1 teaspoon turmeric
▢ ¼ teaspoon black pepper
▢ ¼ teaspoon cayenne
▢ ¼ teaspoon ground cumin

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone explain to me what ‘curry’ spice is? I’m of Indian origin and never heard of it. I cook with chillie powder, cumin, coriander, cardomom, ginger, garlic etc. What is ‘curry spice’ that Americans talk about?

Go to the Whole Foods spice aisle or Penzeys. You will see one or two bottles labeled “Curry Powder.”

Indians don’t cook with that. We don’t use anything called “curry.”

Right, but I’m saying OP may well have used such a blend.

But she didn't.
Spices

▢ 1 teaspoon coriander powder
▢ 1 teaspoon garam masala
▢ 1 teaspoon paprika
▢ 1 teaspoon salt
▢ 1 teaspoon turmeric
▢ ¼ teaspoon black pepper
▢ ¼ teaspoon cayenne
▢ ¼ teaspoon ground cumin

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There's no "curry powder" in the recipe that OP linked to:

Spices

▢ 1 teaspoon coriander powder
▢ 1 teaspoon garam masala
▢ 1 teaspoon paprika
▢ 1 teaspoon salt
▢ 1 teaspoon turmeric
▢ ¼ teaspoon black pepper
▢ ¼ teaspoon cayenne
▢ ¼ teaspoon ground cumin

What’s in garam masala? Is there any overlap with the rest of the list?

[Anonymous]

Also, from the SAME BLOG OP GOT HER RECIPE FROM - even SHE acknowledges that for some people, the term can be offensive, even though she personally does not find it so.

https://myheartbeets.com/difference-between-curry-leaves-curry-powder/

"For those unfamiliar with Indian cuisine, the word “curry” has become a catch-all term for all Indian dishes, which can be offensive (more so when people claim not to like “curry” 🙄) considering how diverse Indian cuisine is. At the same time, many people, Indians included, use the word “curry” to describe a dish with gravy (e.g., my mom’s chicken curry). Personally, I think that as long as you’re not ignorant about it, it’s fine to use the word curry."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I bet it’s the cumin. That stuff smells like BO. I have put small pinches of it in things that call for it, but I’m at the point where I avoid it if I can, including in things like beef and bean chili.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can someone explain to me what ‘curry’ spice is? I’m of Indian origin and never heard of it. I cook with chillie powder, cumin, coriander, cardomom, ginger, garlic etc. What is ‘curry spice’ that Americans talk about?

It’s probably made from curry leaves?!! I’m not an expert, but just guessing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone explain to me what ‘curry’ spice is? I’m of Indian origin and never heard of it. I cook with chillie powder, cumin, coriander, cardomom, ginger, garlic etc. What is ‘curry spice’ that Americans talk about?

It’s probably made from curry leaves?!! I’m not an expert, but just guessing.

Curry leaves have absolutely nothing to do with 'curry' that OP and several PPs are referring to.