Cooked with strong spices (7) - Crossword Clue
Answer: CURRIED
Understanding the Clue: Cooked with Strong Spices
- Cooked with strong spices leads us to the answer CURRIED (7 letters).
- This culinary term refers to food that has been prepared with curry spices, a cooking method that infuses dishes with bold, aromatic flavors characteristic of South Asian, Southeast Asian, and fusion cuisines.
Why CURRIED is the Answer
- The word curried perfectly matches the crossword definition because it describes the specific cooking technique of preparing food with strong, pungent spices.
- When a dish is curried, it's been cooked with a mixture of spices that typically includes turmeric, cumin, coriander, ginger, and chili peppers. The 7-letter count matches precisely, making this the definitive solution.
- Curry dishes are known worldwide for their intense flavors and aromatic qualities. The term encompasses everything from Indian chicken curry to Thai green curry, Japanese curry rice, and Caribbean curried goat.
- The cooking process involves coating or simmering ingredients in a spiced sauce or dry spice mixture.
Tips for Solving Similar Culinary Crossword Clues
- Look for cooking method indicators: Words like "cooked," "prepared," or "made" often signal a past-tense verb describing a cooking technique.
- Count the letters first: The number in parentheses (7) immediately tells you the answer length, helping eliminate possibilities.
- Consider cuisine contexts: "Strong spices" points toward cuisines known for bold flavoring - Indian, Thai, Caribbean, or Middle Eastern cooking styles.
- Think past-tense forms: Culinary clues often use past participles (grilled, roasted, curried, braised) rather than present-tense verbs.
- Use cross-references: If you have intersecting answers filled in, use those letters to confirm your guess matches the pattern.
Cooked with strong spices (7) - 7 Little Words - FAQs
Q: Are there other 7-letter words for cooking with spices?
A: While "SPICED" (6 letters) is close, CURRIED is the most precise 7-letter answer for this specific clue about strong spices.
Q: Could "SEASONED" work instead?
A: SEASONED has 8 letters, so it doesn't fit the (7) requirement. Additionally, it's more general than the specific "curried" preparation.
Q: What makes curry spices "strong"?
A: Curry spices are considered strong due to their pungent aromas, bold flavors, and often significant heat levels from chilies, creating intense taste experiences.
Q: Is curried always spicy-hot?
A: Not necessarily. While many curries contain chili peppers, some are mild and aromatic rather than hot, focusing on complex spice blends without intense heat.
