When they say ‘garnished’, they mean it. This meal contained all of three strips of onion. At first I was quite disappointed in this lack, then I realized that it is rather difficult to eat long strands of microwaved onion.

Price: $3.49
Serving: 1 package, 10 oz.
Calories: 480
Fat: 23%, 15g
Sodium: 34%, 810mg
Carbs: 17%, 51g
Fiber: 15%, 4mg
Protein: 34g

Curry Classics says: Spiced boneless chicken prepared with basmati rice and garnished with sauteed onions.

Abi says: When they say ‘garnished’, they mean it. This meal contained all of three strips of onion. At first I was quite disappointed in this lack, then I realized that it is rather difficult to eat long strands of microwaved onion. I would enjoy large chunks of sweet onion, preferably Walla Wallas or 1015’s. I used to drive on 1015 to get to my job as a teacher. It was a very nice road, and yes, they grew onions there. But this review isn’t about the onion, it is about Curry Classics’ Chicken Biryani. I’ve never had the meal in a restaurant or at home, so I’m not sure if I should be comparing it to something grander and much more enjoyable. Not to say this meal wasn’t enjoyable. It was delicious. Three hours later and I am still full. Ok, so I had a piece of naan with my meal. But still, it is quite filling.

Reading a wikipedia article on biryani has taught me that it is a quite popular dish. I can certainly see why. Who wouldn’t love some chicken marinated in yogurt and spices and coconut milk then mixed with some other spices and basmati rice? Wow.

I now have a new mission in life: find some biryani in DC.

Update: I found some Biryani at Indique. While the Indique Biryani was scads better than the Curry Classics offering, I realized that Curry Classics has a trustworthy product in freezers across DC. Sure, their Chicken Biryani doesn’t contain sweet golden raisins or crunchy sliced almonds, but it does deliver on the most important parts of a good biryani: well-marinated, well-seasoned chicken, and fragrant, flavorful rice. I’ll definitely be purchasing this meal again.

Price: $3.99 ($3.50 on sale)
Serving: 1 Tray, 9 oz.
Calories: 480
Fat: 28%, 18g
Sodium: 38%, 920mg

Curry Classics says: Chicken breast and rice noodles prepared with spices, tamarind and ground peanuts.

Abi says: The microwave version of a food is never as good as the food would be in a restaurant. You know it won’t be very good. You accept this because it is so cheap. You make your peace with eating a mediocre lunch. You tell yourself ‘It was just $3.50 and I got airline miles on my credit card.’

Chicken Pad Thai from Curry Classics is one such lunch. It doesn’t live up to the vegetarian succulence of the meals from sister company Green Guru. Sure, the pad thai is fragrant and attracts coworkers with an aroma of tamarind, coriander, and lemon. In fact, the reaction I experienced today was opposite the dreaded soy noodle repellent of yesterday.

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Price: $3.99 ($3.50 on sale)
Serving: 1 Tray, 10 oz.
Calories: 360
Fat: 22%, 14g
Sodium: 35%, 840mg

Curry Classics says: Boneless chicken breast marinated, roasted and simmered in a robust creamy sauce, served with basmati rice.

Abi says: From the same family that brought you Green Guru Paneer Tikka Masala, a chicken version. This meal contains the perfect ratio of rice to chicken-in-sauce and is just spicy enough to tingle without offending midwesterners.

Ingredients:
Chicken in sauce: Chicken, tomatoes, onions, whole milk, cream, cashews, canola oil, bell peppers, spices, yogurt, butter, garlic, sea salt, lemon juice, milled cane sugar, vinegar, water, paprika, oleoresin of paprika, turmeric.
Rice: Water, basmati rice, butter, sea salt, cumin seeds.

You can read the list, right? You know what each word means (Oleoresin of paprika is a natural colorant derived from paprika*) and you can pronounce the ingredients.

*According to the FDA, solvents may be used to produce oleoresin of paprika. Don’t get your knickers in a twist. Solvents are also used to produce fats and oils, cereal grains, coffee, and tea.