Sorry Panpot, didn't mean to appear pushy; I'm very grateful for your efforts!  Thanks!

From my time spent in a bir kitchen, the chef said learning madras is the key to learning most other dishes (bhuna, rogan josh, balti, vindallo). Therefore if you can derive a great madras from the base, then it stands to reason the base must be spot on. I do agree though, that the korma is also essential. oddly, i have tried nearly all bir dishes accept korma. must order one, and get a demo next visit to my local ta. My local TA manages to do without the onion paste, and other fancy extras. They still produce great curries with just a base and literally garlic puree, spice mix, chilly, coriander, salt, chopped onion. Their base is fantastic. He is a bit reluctant to give me the full recipe. it would be such a great addition to this site. His spice mix is available in recipies section 'DD spice mix'

AdrianDavidB likewise I wasn't complaining.Having cooked three dishes on Saturday night form the Ashoka Kit, a Bhuna, Jaipuri and Korma. I kept the leftovers and had them last night reheated. Strait form the fridge and once heated through all three were fantastic maybe even better a day later. So for me a base must also produce a dish that is still magical nest day. Cheers Panpot

I agree Panpot. the acid test for me is always to taste a curry cold the next day. My favourite local TA's taste amazing cold for breakfast the next day ! lol. Only problem is i walk around all day with garlic madras breath ! My last girlfriend felt she should kindly point this out. Tee hee . I also think i really good base won't show its true colors, unless it comes with accurate recipies, which the bir use with the base. In other words 'a good base without the matching recipies is a gamble'. Obviously this wont be an issue with the Ashoka base, as we have both sets of recipies. Nice one !   

A digression, but I agree the 'acid test' is whether you could eat it cold for breakfast.

I used to go to 'The Islamabad' in Leeds back in the early eighties when I was a student there.  I have the ignominious distinction of having left that establishment at about 4am one morning when it closed, only to be back in for 'brunch' at about 11am!  Chicken madras in both cases!

Quote from: adriandavidb on December 16, 2008, 07:43 PM
I have the ignominious distinction of having left that establishment at about 4am one morning when it closed, only to be back in for 'brunch' at about 11am!

Ahh, a man after my own heart, and at the same time too, the wonderful eighties!