1Spice Kitchen Indian spice tin
A masala dabba is the round steel spice tin found in Indian kitchens, with the everyday spices close to hand. Spice Kitchen's comes filled with nine, including garam masala, cumin seeds, turmeric and cardamom, plus a measuring spoon and a little recipe booklet. It looks lovely on the worktop.
Pros
- Nine spices ready to cook with.
- Recipe booklet included.
- Looks great in the kitchen.
Cons
- Spices need refilling as they're used.
View on Amazon UK↗UK listing only in this guide.Amazon price at the time shown. Prices and availability can change; the price on Amazon at purchase applies. Product sources
Spice Kitchen product page ↗
2Made in India by Meera Sodha
Meera Sodha shares the food her family actually cooks at home, which is fresher and simpler than most curry house dishes. There are over 130 recipes from three generations, from chapatis and street snacks to curries and puddings. Ottolenghi and Nigella are both fans.
Pros
- Real home-style Indian food.
- Over 130 recipes.
- Simple recipes that work.
Cons
- Some readers may need an Asian grocer for a few spices.
View on Amazon UK↗UK listing only in this guide.Amazon price at the time shown. Prices and availability can change; the price on Amazon at purchase applies. Product sources
Fig Tree product page ↗
3Madhur Jaffrey's Instantly Indian Cookbook
Madhur Jaffrey is often called the queen of Indian cooking, and this book adapts her recipes for the Instant Pot. Dal, butter chicken and slow-cooked curries come together in a fraction of the usual time. There are more than 70 recipes, plus chutneys and salads that need no special pot.
Pros
- Fast curries in a pressure cooker.
- By a legend of Indian cooking.
- Over 70 recipes.
Cons
- Made for the Instant Pot or similar.
View on Amazon UK↗UK listing only in this guide.Amazon price at the time shown. Prices and availability can change; the price on Amazon at purchase applies. Product sources
Knopf product page ↗
4Instant Pot Duo pressure cooker
Dal, chickpeas and curries that take hours on the hob are done in a fraction of the time in an Instant Pot. The Duo pressure cooks, slow cooks, sautés, steams and makes rice and yoghurt, all in one pot. The inner pot goes in the dishwasher.
Pros
- Curries and dal in less time.
- Seven cookers in one.
- Dishwasher-safe pot.
View on Amazon UK↗UK listing only in this guide.Amazon price at the time shown. Prices and availability can change; the price on Amazon at purchase applies. Product sources
Instant Pot product page ↗
5Krups spice and coffee grinder
Freshly ground spices make curries taste far brighter than pre-ground jars. The Krups F203 grinds whole cumin, coriander and cardamom in seconds with one press, and it does coffee beans too. It's small enough to keep on the counter.
Pros
- Fresh spices in seconds.
- One-touch grinding.
- Doubles as a coffee grinder.
Cons
- Keep one for spices and one for coffee, or clean well between them.
View on Amazon UK↗UK listing only in this guide.Amazon price at the time shown. Prices and availability can change; the price on Amazon at purchase applies. Product sources
Krups product page ↗
What to buy someone who loves curry
Curry lovers who cook at home love fresh spices and good recipes. The best gifts for curry lovers are a spice tin, a trusted cookbook and kit that saves time. A pressure cooker cuts dal and curry times right down. A spice tin suits anyone just getting started.
How we picked these gifts for curry lovers
We picked each product for what curry lovers enjoy and because it makes sense as a present. The order is our own choice. The pros and cons come from published product details, not customer reviews.
Amazon shows the current price and delivery. Where we've checked that the US listing is the same product, the US link goes there. Otherwise you'll get the UK listing, labelled as such. More about our research.
