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Curry Base Recipes => Curry Base Chat => Topic started by: nits on February 18, 2009, 02:33 PM

Title: Can we makes curry base in bulk and store it for later use?
Post by: nits on February 18, 2009, 02:33 PM
Hi

Will it be possible to store these curry bases in air tight bottles, and then use it on a later date. Will it loose its taste?
Title: Re: Can we makes curry base in bulk and store it for later use?
Post by: SnS on February 18, 2009, 03:28 PM
Hi Nits

Just divide into handy size portions and freeze them in plastic takeaway dishes with lids. Defrost before use.

SnS  ;)

ps: taste seems to improve with time
Title: Re: Can we makes curry base in bulk and store it for later use?
Post by: nits on February 18, 2009, 03:37 PM
is there anyother way, as freezing takes up a lot of freezer space. can we put it in air tight bottles, just like the curry sauces you get in the supermarkets with life span of years.
Title: Re: Can we makes curry base in bulk and store it for later use?
Post by: SnS on February 18, 2009, 03:48 PM
My guess is no - and most certainly not for years - not unless you own your own sterile bottling plant!

I've heard of some members keeping bases for over a week in the fridge but I wouldn't recommend it. Most members freeze their bases but if you are stuck for freezer space then use a base recipe that makes smaller amounts.

The SnS base June 2008 makes 2.65 litres (I don't think there is base recipe that makes less than this).
Title: Re: Can we makes curry base in bulk and store it for later use?
Post by: Bobby Bhuna on February 18, 2009, 06:15 PM
(I don't think there is base recipe that makes less than this).
and I don't think there's one as tasty! :D
Title: Re: Can we makes curry base in bulk and store it for later use?
Post by: billycat on February 18, 2009, 06:28 PM
IS SNS PAYING YOU FOR ALL YOUR ACCOLADES BOBBY LOL
Title: Re: Can we makes curry base in bulk and store it for later use?
Post by: SnS on February 19, 2009, 12:35 PM
Of course I am  ::)
Title: Re: Can we makes curry base in bulk and store it for later use?
Post by: Cory Ander on February 21, 2009, 10:31 AM
Will it be possible to store these curry bases in air tight bottles, and then use it on a later date. Will it loose its taste?

Hi Nits,

Good question!  I'm sure it's possible (with the right preservatives, stabilisers, etc) to prolong the shelf life. 

This is undoubtedly what the likes of Sharwoods, Pataks, Uncle Ben's, etc, have in mind when they sell their "cook in curry sauces".  They tend to go to the "next level" and sell bottled spicy sauces such as "madras", "jalfrezi", "tikka masala", etc...I have never (yet) seen one for just the plain curry base though. 

But, in principle, why not?  Though the preservatives, etc, tend to ruin (dominate) the taste I feel.  But it's a good idea, in principle.

Most members (here) freeze their curry base in handy-sized single or dual portion (250-500ml) cartons for future use.  This seems to be the most practical solution for those that can be bothered to prepare the curry base in the first instance.
Title: Re: Can we makes curry base in bulk and store it for later use?
Post by: CurryOnRegardless on February 21, 2009, 03:12 PM

...I have never (yet) seen one for just the plain curry base though. 


Hi CA

What about this stuff http://www.eastendfoods.co.uk/nishaan.htm (http://www.eastendfoods.co.uk/nishaan.htm) it's in most supermarkets but I can't comment on wether it's any good or not never having tried it, has anyone on here?
Title: Re: Can we makes curry base in bulk and store it for later use?
Post by: Bobby Bhuna on February 21, 2009, 05:59 PM
http://www.eastendfoods.co.uk/nishaan.htm (http://www.eastendfoods.co.uk/nishaan.htm) it's in most supermarkets

No it's not :P

I've seen it online and kept an eye out in supermarkets and indian cash and carry etc. I'd like to try it. I'd like to look at the ingredients too.
Title: Re: Can we makes curry base in bulk and store it for later use?
Post by: Cory Ander on February 22, 2009, 02:41 AM
What about this stuff http://www.eastendfoods.co.uk/nishaan.htm (http://www.eastendfoods.co.uk/nishaan.htm)

Yes, thanks CoR...."Fried Red Onion Curry Base"...interesting.

Someone (somewhere) was also saying that curry base is also available in wholesale sized barrels for restraurants to use?  I've never seen this though...has anyone?
Title: Re: Can we makes curry base in bulk and store it for later use?
Post by: Unclebuck on February 22, 2009, 10:40 AM
The booker cash and carry i go to theres whole isle display full of pastes, powders, ready made madras sauce's etc ive never bought any mind.. im might get one next time im up there just to see whats its like... my guess is not too good.

this one below is 2.5Kg Mix makes up to 12.75 Litres of Curry Sauce!

(http://www.booker.co.uk/bbimages/34311_1_ID%20Shot_200_200.jpg)

http://www.booker.co.uk/catalog/searchcategory.aspx?categoryName=Default%20Catalog&keywords=curry&view=GroupedByShelf&sortField=Promotion&SortDirection=Ascending&pageIndex=1
Title: Re: Can we makes curry base in bulk and store it for later use?
Post by: CurryOnRegardless on February 23, 2009, 05:22 PM
http://www.eastendfoods.co.uk/nishaan.htm (http://www.eastendfoods.co.uk/nishaan.htm) it's in most supermarkets

No it's not :P


Oooh yes it is ;D ;D

Well its in my local Morrisons anyway, they have a whole shelf full of the stuff and I'm pretty sure I've seen it in Tescos as well. As I'm completely out of base at the moment I bought a jar, purely in the interest of research you understand, and will do a madras with it later and let you know how it turns out.

BTW the ingredients list is as follows:-

Onion, Tomato, Vegetable Oil, Salt, Ginger, Garlic, Citric Acid.

that's it, no spices, no "flavouring", no MSG!
CoR
Title: Re: Can we makes curry base in bulk and store it for later use?
Post by: CurryOnRegardless on February 24, 2009, 06:03 PM
OK. Did a simple lamb madras last night, usual way only substituted my base with the stuff from the jar diluted 50/50 with water and upped the spice mix (BE) to compensate for the absence of spices in the base, the results were actually quite good.
That's not to say we can all just call it a day coz I don't think it is better than a "proper" base but it's quite an acceptable stand by to have handy and miles better than any of the curry pastes, especially the Patak ones which I find particularly nasty.
Thing is though for the ?1.30 it cost I could have made 3 litres of base, I'll be lucky to get two decent portions out of this, oh well that's the price of being a lazy bugger I suppose.
CoR
Title: Re: Can we makes curry base in bulk and store it for later use?
Post by: JivyJ on February 25, 2009, 07:31 PM
http://www.eastendfoods.co.uk/nishaan.htm
Fried Red Onion Curry Base"...

I have tried it, useful as a cheats base - but is very similar to Panpan's Ashoka Bunjara (Onion Paste). I bought it from my local Morrisons but they have stopped stocking it now.