hi vindaloo
you could try my posting of my locals curry sauce Rajver i use it all the time and get fab results it only uses 4 onions and only takes an hour to cook from start to finish and if you follow this recipe for a madras
3 tbsp veg oil
1tbsp fine chopped onion
1tbsp tomato paste/puree
1tsp salt
1tbsp garlic ginger puree
1tsp rajah curry powder
a pinch of garam masala(rajah)
a pinch of methi leaves
1 1/2 tsp chilli powder
1tsp lemon juice
a portion of precooked chicken( boiled in water with salt 1/2tsp 1/2 tsp turmeric for max 10 minutes)
1-2tsp fresh corinader (1tsp to put in dish 1tsp to garnish)
2 1/4 tomatoes
3 ladles of curry sauce
heat oil add onion cook till softened add garlic/ginger puree fry for 30 seconds. then add tom puree ,salt , curry powder, chilli , garam masala, methi stir for 30 seconds add 1 ladle of curry sauce cook for 1 minute add the chicken, lemon juice and 2 more ladles cook for 5 minutes stirring all the time add 1 tsp coriander stir in add the tomato 1/4s remove from heat garnish with remainder of the coriander and serve
if you cook your rice first and whilst it is drying out in the low oven it will be done to perfection in 1 1/2 hours ( time to cook the curry sauce, the chicken and the madras)
i just measure out 1 tea cup or rice wash till the water runs clear, put in a bowl you can cover ( and microwavable) put in 1 1/2 tsp of veg oil mix to coat all the grains of rice then using the same cup you measured the rice with use 2 cups of water to cover the rice and stir before putting it in the microwave for 5 minutes on high remove and stir put back in the microwave for another 5 minutes on high once done place imediately in the warm oven stir after 20 minutes then every 20 mins until grains have separated when done it should still look fluffy but not stuck together
and there it is
many friends have been astonished at the results hope you will be too
regards
gary