Vadouvan

Vadouvan is a French-style curry spice blend developed through colonial trade with Pondicherry, India. It combines the warmth of Indian curry powders with French cooking sensibilities, typically featuring turmeric, cumin, mustard seeds, fenugreek, and curry leaves mixed with dried shallots, onion, and garlic. The shallot and onion content gives vadouvan a slightly caramelised, savoury quality you won't find in a standard curry powder. It's brilliant rubbed onto fish, chicken, or roasted vegetables, or bloomed in warm butter or oil to release its aromatic depth. Home cooks can buy ready blends online or make a small batch by drying shallots and blending with classic curry spices.