Eat This... with Stu Helm
Living the dream at Blue Dream Curry House
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Photo by Stu Helm; on Instagram @stuhelmfoodfan
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Located right in the center of downtown Asheville’s tiny “International Food District,” Blue Dream Curry House has become a local favorite with a very loyal customer base who feel a strong love for both the people who work there, and the “curries of the world” that they serve. I myself have tried several of their curry dishes over the years -- Thai green & yellow curries, Panang curry, Rogan Josh -- and enjoyed them all very much; but I had never tried their “UK style” masala until just last week.
Now it might be my favorite dish of them all!
From what I understand, masala is sort of a cousin to curry, in that it’s a mixture of similar spices; but the emphasis is more on complex flavor than heat. Apparently, chicken tika masala is Britain’s favorite dish from India, only the Brits like to make the traditional tomato-based masala sauce a little creamier and a tad sweeter. You know that sweeter and creamier are two words that appeal to Southerners, so it’s no wonder this UK masala is among the most popular menu items at Blue Dream.
On my server’s recommendation, I added beef to my order rather than leaving it vegan or adding chicken. At first I was on the fence, but when they informed me that it’s Hickory Nut Gap farm beef, I was automatically on board! “HNG” are magic letters on any menu in Asheville, in my opinion.
The dish arrived piping hot, looking great, and giving off a wonderful, deep, comforting aroma that woke up my taste buds before I even touched it. One spoonful of just the sauce, and I was already a fan. Another spoonful with a little bit of everything on it -- sauce, beef, corn, taters -- and I was muttering swear words to myself alone at my table:
“Oh [bleep] yeah. That’s good [bleep].”
I hope nobody heard me, but if you did, I apologize for the live uncensored review!
The sauce was dank, the beef was slow-cooked to perfection and fell apart on my fork, the corn was fresh and provided a little pop and a bit more sweetness to the taste and texture, and the small pieces of potato and generous portion of basmati rice definitely added to the already high “fill ‘em up factor.” I was stuffed afterward, and took half home for later.
I recommend Blue Dream in general, and the masala in particular. Add beef or chicken, or keep it vegan if you want to; it’s gonna be great any way you want it. And FYI most, if not all, of the curry dishes at Blue Dream can be ordered vegan or not. Enjoy!
Find all the food specials, new menu additions, events and more from Blue Dream Curry House by checking out their Dig Local Profile.
Be sure to also mark your calendars for Curry for a Cause on October 26th benefitting Food Connection!
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Below you will find one locally curated Scoop chosen for each day this week — but make sure to check out all the Scoops this week on our Dig Local Scoop Calendar.
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All-You-Can-Eat Mussel Mondays
at Bouchon French Bistro & L'Ecluse Lounge
Five different sauces, endless mussels!
More details.
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Deaf Awareness Day
at WNC Nature Center
Come enjoy the beautiful language of signing with the NC Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Educational discovery stations all throughout the grounds, and live animal presentations throughout the day. Interpreters will be provided!
More details.
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(Un)common Ground Exhibition
at Blue Spiral 1
Check out this art exhibition that combines abstract and narrative paintings, wood, metal and clay sculptures, woven ceramics, and patterned tapestries.
More details.
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Smoke Series: Brisket
at Chop Shop Butchery
Discuss the different tools, techniques, tips and myths of what it takes to make the best BBQ. It’s easy to make good; it’s the extra knowledge and experience that can make it GREAT!
Tickets and more details.
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Downtown After 5 with AVL All-Stars
with Asheville Downtown Association
Head back to North Lexington Avenue for the final Downtown After 5 of the season! The All-Stars show has quickly become a favorite, featuring some of AVL’s best musicians making music together. Students from Asheville’s Rock Academy will be opening. Free admission, and of course there will be food, local brews, and activities for the kids. Food Connection will be the nonprofit partner of this event!
More details.
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LaZoom Comedy: Valerie Tosi
at LaZoom Comedy
Valerie Tosi is a comedian, actor, writer, and voiceover artist. Recent credits include guest stars on IFC's Stan Against Evil, Netflix's The Joel McHale Show, and the lead in the feature film The Sex Addict. She features for Dana Gould on the road, and has featured at several comedy festivals including Limestone, Laughing Skull, Out of Bounds, All Jane, etc. Valerie also hosts The Mermaid Comedy Hour, the longest running all female show at The Hollywood Improv.
More details.
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G. Love & Special Sauce
at Salvage Station
Garrett "G.Love" Dutton, Jeffrey "The Houseman" Clemens and Jimmy "Jazz" Prescott are celebrating their 25th year as touring and recording artists! With their signature blend of Delta Blues, Hip Hop, Funk, Rock and Roll and Jazz, The Special Sauce have literally created their own funky stew of American music.
Tickets and more details.
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