Topic: SnS's Base Gravy June 2008

[stargazer]

thnx. will give this base a try.

I think it was medium but it's all down to personal preference. If you like hot curries, using the xtra hot version will produce a slightly hotter base and vikky-verka.

SnS

[mashed45]

Really nice base.  Used it to make CTM, came out really well.

[Bobby Bhuna]

Hey guys, sorry I haven't been posting in a while, I've been watching the chat, and it's most been about Ashoka recipes, which I've been playing with for a while now, with little great success.

So, I'm back here, as I remember what a great curry this turns out. I've finished the base, and am defrosting a half leg of lamb to pre-cook. I can't wait. It's going to be great. I'll take some photos.

[leodido]

I'm doing this base at the moment, I think my color is not really the same but it looks good none the less.

I was wondering for the madras I'm going to use frozen prawns, should I precook them before cooking the madras or can I directly toss them in?

[parker21]

hi leodido don't use frozen prawns , if you defrost them in some cold water first then you should be ok to use add them towards the end of the cooking as they only take a couple of minutes, too long and they will go tough and chewy ;D
kind regards
gary

if you use frozen prawns then you may regret it if you know what i mean!

[leodido]

Okay Parker thanks for the advice

[leodido]

Okay guys, so after having made SNS's base this week-end today I tried to made a madras, following SNS recipe as well.

It was not a disaster, but there is a lot of room for improvement I think

First of all concerning the base :

I followed the instruction but I noticed something that bothered me during the cooking, at some point after having boiled the vegetables and blended them, I had some "foam" (not really sure about the word) that would rise up from the pan. I was not too sure what was in it. Any ideas what I did wrong there?

Concerning the madras :

I did not use enough prawns, but that is my fault, I'll use more next time, how much for 2 persons would you say?
My curry paste was way too liquide, I must have added too much water at start I think.

So in conclusion, it was eatable but there is a lot of room for improvement,I will try again soon and give reports

EDIT: I forgot to say that I tried to make two portions at once, for my Gf and me, should I do one after the another or is that ok?

[SnS]

Hi Leodido

I recommend that you only do one portion at a time (per pan). Also, the recipe is for one portion. You could increase to doing two together once you've had some experience (I still cook one portion per pan).

The froth is normal and can be stirred back into the base. Any thick surface scum can be removed.

What curry paste? The recipe called for the spices to be added as powder. Okay, if you're worried about burning the spices then mix with a little water to form a thick paste. If the paste is too thin, it will lower the cooking temperature and the spices may not release their full flavour. This may also give a bitter raw taste to the curry.

More practice eh

SnS

[parker21]

hi leo i know that in petes prawn madras demo they used 20 prawns for 1 portion. but that is depending on the size of your prawns and i agree with sns that you should only cook 1 portion per pan at a time, at least until you get the hang of things anyway.
regards
gary

[SnS]

Hi Leodido ... if you are worried about burning stuff (especially the spices), try this recipe - it uses a more gentle approach, while still producing a good curry.

http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php?topic=2603.0

Good luck

Regards
SnS