Vadouvan

Vadouvan is a French-influenced spice blend with Indian roots, believed to originate from the former French colonial territory of Pondicherry. It combines the warming spices of a traditional Indian masala, such as cumin, fenugreek, turmeric, and cardamom, with deeply caramelised shallots and garlic that are dried directly into the mixture. This gives vadouvan a sweeter, more mellow character than standard curry powders, with a lingering savoury depth from the alliums. At home, it is a versatile pantry ingredient: sprinkle it over fried or roasted vegetables, stir it into yogurt-based sauces, or incorporate it into batters and breadings for a complex aromatic lift without aggressive heat.