Quote from: failsafe on March 18, 2013, 07:42 PMThis maybe a big ask but could anyone supply me with ans essential ist of spices/herbs i would need for most of the curry's posted on here, please??
Hmm essential.
This would be on my list:
Ground
Turmeric
Coriander
Cumin
Paprika
Chilli powder (which one would be up for discussion)
Fenugreek
A Mild Madras Curry powder
Less essential but handy
Garlic
Ginger
Whole Spices
Cassia bark
Indian Bay leaves
Green Cardamons
Cloves
Kasoori Methi (dried Fenugreek leaves)
Less essential but handy:
Cumin seeds
Coriander seeds
Fenugreek seeds
Fennel
Star Anise
Black Cardamon
Those are the ones that spring to mind at the moment, no doubt I've left something out

I generally buy most ground spices in 100g bags for the simple reason of freshness, the only one I'd consider getting a larger bag of would be turmeric, simply because turmeric gets used a lot. Once a packet of ground spices is opened, you're ticking down their freshness and they don't stay fresh for long and should be used ideally within 1-2 months.
Whole spices are slightly different in the sense that they don't go stale as fast as ground so I tend to buy larger bags of them, particularly cassia bark, coriander and cumin seeds. The others generally smaller 100g bags.