Hi All.
Went to my local takeaway last week for a chicken tikka masala,as I am satisfied with the KD
base I turned my attention to the matter of the red paste which is cooked following the
garlic/ginger stage i get on well with the young waiter and asked him what was in the red
mixture in the ice cream sized tub, he said " I dont know all of it, but there is definetely
water, sugar,and many other things added to it." So logically looking at this, I summise the following.If this paste was pre cooked in large quantities with its appropriate spice combination it is simply a matter of garlic/ginger,red paste mix, base sauce to consistency and garnish finished dish,also i read recently that if tomato is cooked slowly (caramelised) it retains its water content and reduces acidity, which i have always found to be an undesirable back taste. I have also seen large tins of tomato paste at my local asian food store made by EUROFOODS check out there website for details.will persue the red paste mystery. steve e