Topic: Is it possible to over cook your base ?

[Stu-pot]

Is it possible to over cook your base? 
Can the aroma change from nice BIR to horrible?
Boiling/simmering for an hour seems good but onions aren't at 'melting point'.
Thereafter smell and flavour changes to undesirable.
Dies this sound familiar?

[Naga]

Not usually. Are the vegetables burning on the bottom of the pot?

I should add that the jb base takes around 3 hours total cooking time. Many bases are similar - with the exception of pressure-cooked bases, that is.

[ELW]

I'd say it is Stu-pot,before & after blending. I like to stop the boiling before the onions turn from milky white to brownish. After blending its an hour simmering maximum or the gravy darkens & can add an unwanted flavour that overpowers the curries, bringing 'blandness'. Imo of course

[Stu-pot]

Hi Naga. No not at all.
I've made many bases over past two months and every time with all recipes including my own made up ones I get the same result, smell & flavour.  I dislike it.  It driving me crazy.  I'm seriously thinking it's correct BUT I just don't like it!  I'm not a vegetable person.
I've been doing lots of experiments and processes of elimination etc but not managed to suss it out! 
When I use these bases in my curries I get an after taste that can last for 2 days!  horrible.
The only time I can use a base that is ok is if I use a plain onion base, no G&G, veg, coriander, Turmeric...Nothing.  I am now wondering if the Turmeric is the culprit but I doubt it.

[Stu-pot]

Hi ELW.   does any of what I said to Naga ring a bell mate?

[Peripatetic Phil]

I've made many bases over past two months and every time with all recipes including my own made up ones I get the same result, smell & flavour.  I dislike it. 

Ah.  You may well be one of the people that Kris Dhillon had in mind when she re-engineered her base for "The New Curry Secret".  I could never understand why she felt the need to do this, as her first base had always smelled great to me, but from your message I now understand that not everyone would felt as I did.  You may therefore wish to try "KD2" (from The New Curry Secret) and see if it smells any better to you.

** Phil.

[Onions]

Yep. KD1= the first and *sometimes still* the best, for old times sake!

[Stu-pot]

Thanks for that info Phil.  I only have KD.1.  If anyone wants to share the KD.2 base PLS do...
It's reassuring that I may not be the only person that hates the smell & flavour of Base curry but loves the flavour etc of finished curry!  FYI. The only way I've managed to cook and enjoy a finished curry in the last two months is by using 2/3's Onion Gravy & 1/3 Garabi and using Red Masala and anything else to disguise the Base flavour!  BUT, if I hate Garabi so much, why do I love Restaurant & TA so much ?  WEIRD!!!

[Stu-pot]

Just read KD.1 base and she says add Turmeric at the last stage so maybe the Turmeric is my problem.  Cheers.

[Peripatetic Phil]

Thanks for that info Phil.  I only have KD.1.  If anyone wants to share the KD.2 base PLS do...

I'll send you a copy via PM, Stu.
** Phil.