Topic: SnS's Base Gravy June 2008

[ast]

Finally had a chance to try this yesterday/last night, and I have to say this rocks, SnS!!  Very nice work.  Like Bobby, I'd been disappointed with my curry results lately (I think more due to the amount of effort I was putting in rather than anything else--mostly done in a hurry).  This certainly was the best effort yet, and it was the closest to the restaurant I like.

I've more thoughts on this, but it deserves a separate post, and it won't happen this week.

I did omit the carrots and used 240g potatoes instead since I was making this for my mother, and she's allergic to carrots.  Compared to others with the carrots vs. this one without, I'm not sure that I could personally taste a whole lot of difference.  I tasted it at various stages to see.  I also could not find the Kashmiri mirch, so had to use regular paprika.  I'll keep looking though.

The coriander stalks probably added the most difference compared to when they're not there, and I noticed the base had just a hint of a kick to it with the chili powder instead of without.  It was nice, but it meant that I had to tone things down on the other end to get a truly mild (ok, boring in my book curry.

Since I was making 3 portions with 3 different heat tolerances, I mixed up a "SnS Mix Powder" batch of:

2x coriander powder
2x cumin powder
1x turmeric powder
2x paprika
1x dried methi (a guess based on my interpretation of "some" vs. what I normally use)

I used 2tsp of the above for each curry, and then I could just measure the chili powder the way I do when I use Secret Santa's mix.  I used a level 1/8 tsp for my mother, heaped 1/8 tsp for the wife (she's out of practice lately) and a heaped tablespoon of the extra hot chili powder for each of the curries.  I also made the ginger paste, since I couldn't find any at the shop, and I had loads of fresh ginger.

The result was OUTSTANDING!  Although, I did notice that I forgot to add any msg/salt and garam masala during the cooking process as I was making all three batches at the same time.  That was a bit trickier than expected, but it all worked out ok.

Having had a discussion with a local restaurant lately, and in light of my previous thinking/questions about the merits of various cooking methods, I think the method for the madras is where 80% of the difference comes from.  I'd been having trouble getting mine as hot as the restaurant--even with all the chillies (fresh, powdered, Habanero, Scotch Bonnet, finger (red & green) by the handful, mixed and individually).  He was saying that its all in how long that you actually cook the chili powder that gives it the essential depth.  They only add fresh chillies (if at all) towards the end.

I made a few experiments afterwards which were better (and somewhat influenced by SnS's madras recipe and others where you add small amounts of base at a time), but I didn't quite achieve the results I wanted.  However, I am *convinced* that the repeated reduction of the curry base and variation of the heat is important to achieve restaurant results at home.  I also noticed that what I got at the restaurant was similar in consistency to what I was making when I started posting here (which many think is too thick).  Obviously, to get it to that level requires longer cooking/more reduction and results in a more concentrated taste.

I tried all three last night, and ended up adding different amounts of water to each of them, depending on how they were cooking.  This was probably partially offset by the fact that there was some of the broth from the pre-cooked chicken included with the meat when I added it.  Mine was the thickest (not surprising given the amount of powder), but the others weren't that far off, but they did require longer cooking times.  You could certainly taste more complexity from the base without the extra chili powder, but a surprising amount came through even with all the extra chili powder in mine.

I'll certainly be making this base again!  I also want to use it for some experiments on the final curry method, but at the rate I've been cooking lately (this was the first curry in about 6 weeks!), I'm not really sure when it'll happen.  Having guests over on Wed. night which will polish off the rest of the base, so I'll have to find some time to make some more.

Many kudos to SnS for taking the time to put this together and for sharing it with the masses.  Keep up the good work, and happy currying!

ast

[Bobby Bhuna]

Hey Ast, good to see you back! This base really does it for me too! It really is fantastic, not like most other home made base recipes atall. Possibly my favourite, although now the B.E. is very much up there. I would like to try this base again blending the garlic and ginger in water first and see what difference it makes.

[SnS]

Having just read BB's report on the purchased take-away base, Bobby mentions that the base was too thick and that he had to add water when cooking the Madras.

http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php?topic=2991.msg26490#msg26490

Both the Saffron and SnS 2008 Curry Base recipes use potatoes (albeit a small amount). Potatoes act as a thickening agent and probably have little affect on taste. Due to the viscosity of the base (particularly the SnS Base), adding some water during the curry cooking stage may then necessary - not a good thing perhaps?

Despite what the Saffron chefs recommend, I now wonder whether potatoes are really necessary and if the the SnS Base (or Saffron) could be improved by NOT using potatoes.

I will be trying this next time on the SnS 2008 base. In the meanwhile has anyone made the SnS base as per the recipe but omitting the potatoes? What were the Results, etc ..)

SnS 

[adriandavidb]

Will be interested to hear!

[SnS]

Hey Ast, good to see you back! This base really does it for me too! It really is fantastic, not like most other home made base recipes atall. Possibly my favourite, although now the B.E. is very much up there. I would like to try this base again blending the garlic and ginger in water first and see what difference it makes.

Did you ever get round to doing this Bobby? Did it make any difference?

[Secret Santa]

I now wonder whether potatoes are really necessary and if the the SnS Base (or Saffron) could be improved by NOT using potatoes.

            :-X

[Cory Ander]

 ;D ;D ;D

[Bobby Bhuna]

Did you ever get round to doing this Bobby? Did it make any difference?

I went off the whole idea. Tastes too strong.

[Bobby Bhuna]

I now wonder whether potatoes are really necessary and if the the SnS Base (or Saffron) could be improved by NOT using potatoes.

I've been leaving them out since the first time ;D

[SnS]

I guess from the response regarding the spuds, a few here appear to totally disagree with adding them to the base in the first place.

Maybe this is just a Saffron chef thing.

My local takeaway doesn't use them in their curry base - although having shown the chef the base recipies (both Saffron & SnS 2008), he wasn't surprised at any of the ingredients and didn't say that spuds should not be used.

SnS