SnS's Base Gravy June 2008

[Bobby Bhuna]

I made my latest batch a week past. This is my favourite base. It's minimalist, provides the volume and consistency, and lets your spices do the work. I made a Jalfrezi tonight using some green pepper, onion, 2 cloves finely chopped fresh garlic, 1 or tsp tomato paste, fresh chilies, 1 tsp BE spice mix, a pinch of methi and a small handful of freshly chopped coriander - standard cooking method. It's the best I've had in a while, and easily puts to shame any of my attempts with the Ashoka recipes.

[SnS]

Is this the end of the curry base trail then Bobby? 

[qprbob]

I'm about to make this base this weekend and it will be my second attempt to recreate that BIR taste. Having made the Saffron base previously, I found that, although made a good curry, it was too sweet, as explained by SnS probably down to the use of wrong type of onion.
This base sounds what i could be looking for. I have all the ingredients except the Rajah Madras curry powder, is there any real alternative Madras curry powder.
Also would appreciate a good Jalfrezi or Vindaloo recipe to go with this base. I shall try to post photo's if all goes well.

Many thanks to all members who contribute, as this will help us curryholics to achieve our goal, of making that definitive BIR curry for ourselves.

[Bobby Bhuna]

is there any real alternative Madras curry powder.

TRS, Heera or East End will do.

[qprbob]

Living on the Isle of Wight, obtaining certain spices is difficult.Being unemployed, using online stores is cost prohibitive. Where my father lives there's plenty of Asian stores and when i visit i will stock up. This weekend I intend to make this base and will have to use a shop bought Madras powder. I already have MDH Kashmiri Mirch.
Hopefully it will be very near what I'm looking for. Will make a Madras and post results.

[qprbob]

Sorry should have added a thank you to Bobby Bhuna for the alternative spices.

[kid curry]

After a few months of not cooking any base,this one is on the boil as we speak.

Will post later.

[qprbob]

Having made this base this weekend I was very pleased with the result. As this recipe uses not a great deal of oil and does not separate, I was wondering if you added more oil, would you get that oil to separate and then you would have some to reclaim. If no one has tried this , on making my next batch of base, I shall give it a go and post results.

[JerryM]

qprbob,

this link on oil rec might be of interest https://curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php?topic=2684.msg23835#msg23835

[leodido]

I'm going to give another try at making your nice madras sns!

Thank you for the advice