Topic: My favourite tried and tested base.

[spadge]

 Takes time but worth it, all slow cooked in the oven over several hours (no mess, burning or constant stirring) Really is by far the best I've tried so far- but that's just my opinion' Would love feedback should anyone care to try it.

930g Dutch or mild onions
260ml Veg oil
35g fresh ginger
3/4 (three quarter) tsp salt (Maldon or a good quality sea salt)
Oven cook at 120'C for 2 hours

add 25g fresh garlic
oven cook a further 3 hours

1 tsp Turmeric
1 tsp Paprika
2 tsp Coriander powder
2 tsp Fenugreek powder
2 tsp Cumin
2 tsp Garam masala
oven cook again for 4 more hours

After blending to a super smooth consistency I added about 200ml of water and continued cooking a little longer until the oil started to show on top. Bingo!

Yes it takes ages but the onion colour is perfect and so sweet.
I'm sure it could be speeded up somewhat?  but because I was at home for the day anyway, I did each stage with very little effort. The aroma was excellent from the start.

Hope you like it
Spadge.

[Garp]

Thanks for sharing, Spadge, but as they say on Dragon's Den, 'I'm out'

[George]

Thanks for sharing, Spadge, but as they say on Dragon's Den, 'I'm out'

I'm likely to invest in this recipe because I can see the potential and it seems worth trying.

Many thanks, spadge, for your innovative thinking.

[Onions]

I agree, as well as the general posistive attitude towards a new method

[Garp]

I agree that new recipes/methods should be welcomed.

I think I am right in saying, though, that most of the heralded bases posted on here (and witnessed in kitchens) have included tomato in some form. This one doesn't appear to.

I don't think it necessary to cook for so long either - even at low temperature. I don't see that achieving too much.

I'm not sure what volume of base this will make. Can you let us know, Spadge, so I can form an opinion about the level of spicing?

And the oil is massively excessive IMO.

[spadge]

Well spotted! no tomato in this one simply because I was trying something new.
There are also no peppers, coriander stalks, carrot, cabbage, swede, secrets or any other ingredients that have been suggested in the past.
Yes you can add what you like but the results will be different.
The slow cook idea may not be anything new- but for me it is-  I think it made a massive difference and like I tried to suggest, the whole process was effortless. Simply banged it all together with very little chopping and stiring. The times I've almost finished cooking a base only to burn it through a moments neglect.
The recipe would probably make about 8 good size curries but as you can appreciate it depends on what your making.

[Peripatetic Phil]

The times I've almost finished cooking a base only to burn it through a moment's neglect.

Without wishing to be contentious (or provocative, or anything else other than genuinely interested), how is it possible to burn a base ?  I can understand how someoner might inadvertently burn a curry, but a base is 85%+ aqueous and (to my mind, at least) impossible to burn ...

** Phil.

[littlechilie]

I have used onion only base before, infact I have some in the freezer! It's great base for cooking Korma, but found it lacking something in hotter curry.

[Onions]

The times I've almost finished cooking a base only to burn it through a moment's neglect.

Without wishing to be contentious (or provocative, or anything else other than genuinely interested), how is it possible to burn a base ?  I can understand how someoner might inadvertently burn a curry, but a base is 85%+ aqueous and (to my mind, at least) impossible to burn ...

** Phil.

I think prob means the onions burnt to the bottom, not enough water etc.

[spadge]

Exactly that, burnt onions on the bottom. I can confirm it is not impossible.