Topic: What is a good base meant to taste like?

[Malc.]

I made my very first base tonight, totally off the cuff and in very small quantity. After all that's been discussed about base and the various ongoing topics, I realised I actually still don't know what it really is meant to taste like. I certainly had nothing to compare it to but simply went along with g/g paste, spice mix, cinnamon, coriander, salt and the usual veg minus the tomato. It ended up as a bland curry sauce.

I am sure its been asked or explained in a topic but the search results didn't find it for me. However, since the question or rather the answer seems to be evading me currently I thought it best to ask if anyone can explain exactly what a good base should taste like?

[Razor]

Hi Axe,

You will find varied descriptions of how a base is meant to taste. Soapy, bland, tomato soup like and so on. 

For me, a base should not be the main flavour of the dish but a basis to build on, so therefor, I believe that it should be blandish.  Most bases don't taste that great on their own but transform in the final dish, whereas, CA's and SnS's do taste ok on there own.  A good tasting base though, is not the requirement for a good final dish.

I think if you stick with bland going on 'OK' then you wont go far wrong.  Just avoid bitter, too much ginger, poor quality oil, fresh chillies (if using) even tomato can give a base a bitter note.

That's my slant on a base, what does everyone else think?

Ray

[Secret Santa]

I made my very first base tonight...

Blimey Axe that's a surprise!

You've been talking on the forum for a while now and I naturally assumed that a base would have been the first thing you'd have started with.

Well I never!   ;D

Anyway, as far as what a good base tastes like, don't make the mistake of equating base flavour to the 'goodness' of the base.

There have been several reports here over the years of BIR bases that have tasted so-so but that, at least for the person reporting, have produced their favourite BIR curries!

[Razor]

I made my very first base tonight...

Blimey Axe that's a surprise!

Yeah, that surprised me too, or, do you mean it's the first attempt at your own idea of a base?

Ray

[Stephen Lindsay]

I took it to mean this was the first time Axe had created his own base as opposed to cooked one created by others.

[Malc.]

Actually, your all correct. It was the first time I had ever made base and a recipe I made off the cuff based on what I have read, the time I had to make it and info assimilated from IG. Pics in Curry Photo's shortly...

I have had several reasons not to make any base recipes until now. But above all, the main reason I haven't, is that I knew I would be able to return to the IG for a demo on the base.

Besides what with Bhaji, Shami', Seekh and Naan, i've had enough on my plate.......literally!  ;D

[Malc.]

I suppose its  a continuation of the topic 'Base or stock' but I had  always considered that the base should be somewhat bland but provide the  foundation of the final dish.
 
 It is interesting to hear the comments on not needing to taste good on  its own. It also makes sense. I mean, if it does form part of the  finished dish, then invariably it will only taste as a part. Its also  essential that it is bland if it is to be a true one sauce for all base. 
 
 The one thing I did note tonight is that while a usable base can be made  quickly, a decent base will need cooking for a good few hours to get  the best from the onions.

[peterandjen]

I like my base  to be like a weak curry sauce, it looks ,like curry only watered down, but definately tastes like curry, only weaker
Be careful when cooking it, i prefer to taste as its going along and stop when it has lost the raw onion flavour, i find if i cook it for too lond it starts losing its punch and becoming bitter.

[chinois]

I like my base  to be like a weak curry sauce, it looks ,like curry only watered down, but definately tastes like curry, only weaker

This is what i've had best results with too. /the ashoka one being a good example.
I havent tried that many different bases though.

[chriswg]

I think it would be a great use of time to go to 4 or 5 indian takeaways and taste and compare their base sauces. I assume not all will want to allow this but hopefully a few will. I know some people here have tasted some 'official' base but has anyone tried a few different once to check for differences?

I think as the base makes up about 80% of the final dish it needs to taste pretty good. One that just tastes mildly of onion can't (IMO) result in a top curry. That said, I've never tasted a proper base so I could be completely wrong.

Axe, if you fancy a drive up to Fleet we could go hassle all the local restaurants!