Topic: Kris Dillons garam masala mix

[stryker_uk]

Hi all, rather new to curry making (and this great site), and the base sauces, but decided to take the plunge and have a go at KD's original sauce and have now tried the basic curry with it and the bhuna, but both have turned out to be rather bland and really mild (not that I want a vindaloo)
I think my mistake maybe that the garam masala mix didn't call for roasting the spices first, so I didn't, I just popped them in the new shiny grinder, would like to improve it while I still have a couple of frozen base sauces before I try a different one from this site, should I disacrd the GM and make a new batch, any help greatly appreciated

[Peripatetic Phil]

When I first started making KD curries, I decided (like you) that they were too mild and too bland, so I took to doubing the quantity of sauce and quadrupling the quantity of spices, but I didn't use her garam masala.  These days I use 3/4 pint of sauce (as recommended), double the spices (I aim for Madras heat, so double the quantities she specifies for Madras), and still omit the garam masala.  Replacing one unit of chilli by one unit of Bassar curry masala (Al Noor) will also give the results a further lift.

** Phil.

[natterjak]

Hi, I wouldn't recommend the KD base sauce these days, there are far better ones but since you have it to use up there are a few ways you might improve your results. I don't see the GM as being key, you might as well use up what you've made instead of binning it.

To produce a more flavoursome curry why not make up a "mix powder" from this section:
http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php/board,28.0.html
.... and add more chilli powder at the start of your curry if you found it too mild last time.

Most recipes will call for around 2 tsp of mix powder at the start of the dish, personally I use 1 level tablespoon most of the time and take care to get this fully cooked before moving on to add base gravy.

Once you've used up your KD base you could have a try with one of Chewytikka's base gravies, or the Zaal, mouchak or little India base recipes. Those would be my recommendations but there are many here which should give you better results than KD IMHO. good luck

[stryker_uk]

many thanks for the speedy replies, I'll be cooking tonight

[icemanfrosty]

I have to agree with Natterjak I use Chewys base in the pressure cooker and it is really good and easy to make and it also makes good currys.