Topic: Curry from scratch

[emin-j]

Hi all ,
When making a Curry from 'scratch' would I double up on Spices as I would not be using a Curry Base ?

[joshallen2k]

I wouldn't double up, that would be too much. If you really want to figure out how much spice is in a base, do some reverse math on the base recipe.

As an example, SnS base yields 2.65 liters, and uses 8 teaspoons of spice (in various ratios of turmeric, cumin, etc).

So if in a single curry you use 300 ml of base (11% of the total base yield), that's the equivalent of 0.88 tsp of spice.

So to get the same spice content in a scratch curry, but wanting to maintain the same spice level, you would add just under a teaspoon of spice to compensate.

[JerryM]

emin-j,

would follow josh's maths for sure.

having made the "curry from scratch" - it's a very intersting question for me though

the restaurant spec called for 1 tbsp of spice based on a "4" person amount of onion/tomato (i used 170g/240g).

on my 1st go i made a 1/4 of the "4" portion and used 3/4 tsp of spice expecting a finished volume of ~200ml. it was nothing like (more like 100ml).

on my 2nd go i made a 3/4 of the "4" portion and stuck with the 3/4 spice. the finished volume was just over 200ml. this being for me a normal standard 1 person portion.

i made madras both times - using LB spice mix (but others would be just as good ie BE, DD, Kushi) along with chilli 1/2 tsp, salt 1/4 tsp.

i thought the amount spicing was fine. i think something is wrong with the volume somehow as i think 1 tbp of spice mix in 4/4 of the "4" portion would be too much.

[emin-j]

I wouldn't double up, that would be too much. If you really want to figure out how much spice is in a base, do some reverse math on the base recipe.

As an example, SnS base yields 2.65 liters, and uses 8 teaspoons of spice (in various ratios of turmeric, cumin, etc).

So if in a single curry you use 300 ml of base (11% of the total base yield), that's the equivalent of 0.88 tsp of spice.

So to get the same spice content in a scratch curry, but wanting to maintain the same spice level, you would add just under a teaspoon of spice to compensate.

Thanks' joshallen2k ,sounds good.

[emin-j]

emin-j,

would follow josh's maths for sure.

having made the "curry from scratch" - it's a very intersting question for me though

the restaurant spec called for 1 tbsp of spice based on a "4" person amount of onion/tomato (i used 170g/240g).

on my 1st go i made a 1/4 of the "4" portion and used 3/4 tsp of spice expecting a finished volume of ~200ml. it was nothing like (more like 100ml).

on my 2nd go i made a 3/4 of the "4" portion and stuck with the 3/4 spice. the finished volume was just over 200ml. this being for me a normal standard 1 person portion.

i made madras both times - using LB spice mix (but others would be just as good ie BE, DD, Kushi) along with chilli 1/2 tsp, salt 1/4 tsp.

i thought the amount spicing was fine. i think something is wrong with the volume somehow as i think 1 tbp of spice mix in 4/4 of the "4" portion would be too much.

Thanks' JerryM ,I am going to have another go at producing a Madras Curry Sauce tomorrow , this time using 1 Onion and 2 Tomatoes ( all finely chopped )plus Garlic,Ginger,and 2 fresh Green Chillies .Unfortunately the amounts of ingredients in the  recipes I received following my Cooking Class are nothing like the Chef used on the day so I am trying by trial and error  and memory  : Why do people use ' Spice Mix ' when you can use all the individual Spices in whatever amounts you need ?

[joshallen2k]

Why do people use ' Spice Mix ' when you can use all the individual Spices in whatever amounts you need ?

Because its generally accepted as BIR practice. If most all curries require some level of general spicing (coriander, cumin, turmeric, curry powder...) they find it simpler to come up with a house mix, rather than individually spice out the curries that require similar spicing anyway.

[emin-j]

My second attempt at a ' Curry from Scratch '
After a dismal result last week I thought I would have another go ,so cutting down on the amount of Onion and Tomatoes ( a 2 portion Curry )I set about as before chopping all the ingredients finely.
Whilst cooking the Curry I added the Spices from the sNs Madras recipe which I have  used very successfully in the past.I also added just under a TSP of BE Spice Mix to make up for not using a Base Sauce which would have had Spice in ,the result was as last time almost tasteless  , to rescue the Curry I added 1 heaped TSP of Garam Masala and a TSP of Rajah Curry Powder. This was a similar problem as I had last time , I just cant seem to get the balance of the Spices right  Also when creating what will be the ' sauce ' you add water ,this makes the Curry thin and watery compared to the Curries I have made with a base sauce ,if you reduce it down to thicken up the Curry you don't have enough for 2 servings 
My wife is also a Curryholic and is so far not impressed with Curries from Scratch  :-[ The texture of the sauce is not smooth as a Curry using a base sauce also my wife said there was no ' Toffee like aroma ' as there usually is ,I also noticed the absence of the ' Curry Aroma 'around the house and in my clothes and in my car !  ;D I do like the idea of using fresh ingredients to create a fresh Curry but I am wondering if ' the taste ' we have been looking for is is due to the using of a base sauce and the ' special ' flavour it brings  I am still no lover of base from the freezer compared to fresh made base nor do I fancy using ' old fryer oil ' But one thing I did add to the Curry which made a definite improvement to the richness was a table spoon of Butter Ghee.
I haven't give up on the Curry from Scratch idea but wonder if that method is more suitable for certain Curries more than others.

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/eminj1951/CurryFromScratch2?authkey=Gv1sRgCN3D4tKnr5eWGg&feat=directlink

[George]

I haven't give up on the Curry from Scratch idea but wonder if that method is more suitable for certain Curries more than others.

Who knows? I've been meaning to try this approach for years, in order to avoid making vast quantities of base. Your recent interest reminds me that I must get around to giving it a try.

My objective will be to create the same near-BIR flavour and texture as I can by using base. If I succeed, I will report back here. I will, however, refrain from reporting every trial, tribulation and element of R&D along the way. I see it as data overload, which just floods the forum with less-than-interesting material.

[emin-j]

I haven't give up on the Curry from Scratch idea but wonder if that method is more suitable for certain Curries more than others.

Who knows? I've been meaning to try this approach for years, in order to avoid making vast quantities of base. Your recent interest reminds me that I must get around to giving it a try.

My objective will be to create the same near-BIR flavour and texture as I can by using base. If I succeed, I will report back here. I will, however, refrain from reporting every trial, tribulation and element of R&D along the way. I see it as data overload, which just floods the forum with less-than-interesting material.

George , To recreate the texture /consistency of a BIR Curry I do believe you can only do this by using a base sauce or liquidising the common ingredients that make up most base sauces and what I am looking to do next as chriswg found at his Curry lesson is make a fresh base sauce everytime I make a Curry ,how practical this is I wont know until I try it but chriswg seemed to find it OK.I'm trying to stay away from using frozen base sauce.
If you decide to make a Curry using  your base recipe george please post your results ,if you can post some photo's it sometimes makes a post more interesting than text alone ,there are probably many members on the forum who will appreciate your efforts.

[JerryM]

emin-j,

i've never used frozen base - it just does not sit well. i make a 800g onion base or 7 portions - it gives us 2 curry nights during the week (i x2 to include a weekend).

i do think curry from scratch (and i mean BIR) is achievable but it would take some time perfecting - i too have good lady telling me to stop messing about though.

i very much agree on the butter/ghee although i've adopted marg. i do think the base has a big part to play but the cooking/frying is not to be left out either.