Do you have any curry-making rituals? Is there any particular spice or ingredient which you feel your curries absolutely must have - even though they're not listed in the original recipe?

I don't mean when you first follow a recipe, because to me to judge any recipe properly you must cook it as the author dictates, I mean when you go off experimenting on your own, what are your essential ingredients/methods of cooking them which you swear make a difference in taste.

So what do you swear by?

Always love a bush or so of fresh coriander (stems as well) added to my curry during cooking and as garnish (can't get enough of the stuff) - no matter what the recipe.