Jeera: Yes red onions and yes it is confusing! I read it that you do need to cook a medium curry first. Also Jeera note I didnt do the soapy onion bit (nor did my friend).
YF: Yes tried KD's base, I dont get on with it (and you're right its not a million miles away, also not a million miles away from Terry's base)
CQ: I just followed the base recipe and then medium curry as I described in the post, otherwise as stated, I used veg ghee instead of oil at all stages. Also I have recently thrown out all of my old spices and this was the first curry I have cooked using all fresh spices. All spices I from whole except paprika and turmeric.