So, my second attempt at a curry tonight. First one last Friday was good, but spice mix too ?cuminy?, and my base was spiced too strong, and that came through in the curry a bit too much. But my tarka dhal was very, very good. See here -
https://curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php?topic=9035.0This week I tried to rectify my wrongs. Planned things out in advance.
Used Cory Anders spice mix (less cumin).
Made a new base on Thursday night, decide to give Cory Anders base a try.
The base went very well, and had a pretty nice taste on its own ? but fairly mild as I wanted. Stuck all the main ingredients into the pressure cooker ? done in 15 minutes! The only thing I had trouble with was that the recipe adds the coriander and spices after cooking, and I found this difficult to blend properly ? especially the coriander (not softened by the cooking presumably). I think maybe next time I will add these before cooking (I assume that this won?t really change the taste?). When cooled, I put the base through a sieve ? this got rid of the larger pieces of coriander that did not seem to want to blend. Still slightly ?gritty? I think because of adding the spices after cooking. So today (Friday), after soaking overnight, took it out of the fridge before starting, and blended again for a few minutes ? this helped to make the base smoother.
Daughter loves korma, wife doesn?t and is a veggie so had to do two meals.
Veggie meal was based on Bruce Edwards bhuna. Only veg I had was aubergine and onion ? so grilled the aubergine and pre-fried the onions a little with a small amount of spice mix. For the oil. I used a little less veg oil, and added 1 teaspoon chilli oil, and one teaspoon butter ghee. Fried the spices Bruce Edwards style, then added base and veg. I was very pleased with the result (as was the wife) ? rather BIR style in taste and smell, but not quite there yet. Best veg curry I have made yet.
Chicken korma ? used ? pre-cooked chicken from tesco (!), cut it up. Recipe was based on Georges recipe ( a variation on Ghannas recipe), bit I did add a teaspoon of spice mix to add a little more flavour. This tuned out fantastic! Could not of hoped for better. The daughter loves the local take away korma, and I have to admit, whenever I have tasted it, it really is excellent. Well, this recipe turned out just as good. I knew it was a hit as soon as the daughter took her first mouthful and started to smile. ?Is it as good as the take away one?? ?Yes? she ginned. A winner! I think what makes this dish, is the addition of evaporated milk ? it just adds the sweetness and taste of that take away meal.
Rice was based on Bruce Edwards pilau ?very good. Added some turmeric to give a little colour.
So, here are the pics. I know, I have to work on my presentation! Sorry it?s a bit long winded

Veggie aubergene and onion -

Rice -

All together with the korma -
