Topic: just starting out

[justluvcurry]

Greeting to all
just a few lines of introduction
i am hoping to make Indian food cooking my new hobby.
I didn't realize how much time and effort is involved into the preparation and production of a Indian meal, (made a base/gravy last week took me 4 hours) i am going to make my first attempt at making a madras this weekend. (i froze the base sauce last weekend)
wish me luck. any advise or tips would be gratefully appreciated. will post the results next week along with the mistakes i will no doubt make, anyhow i am intending to have fun trying.
cya all later.

[artistpaul]

Hi JLC and welcome

Couple of easy but VERY important tips

First your frozen base:
After defrosting have it in a seperate saucepan simmering away whilst you are in the process of starting the curry off in a different pan, so that there is no drop in temperature in your pan when the time arrives to add it in.

First Stage

Normally most recipies call for an initial frying of any combination of Garlic/ Ginger and sometimes chopped Onion or Peppers

Adding your Spice Mix of choice - SECOND STAGE

Add this immediately after the initial Garlic / Ginger paste frying stage ( sometimes onion too etc) has turned light golden.
Add the Spice Mix and fry briefly on a low to med heat for 30 secs max, stirring continuously and then IMMEDIATELY add the Tom Puree if its in your recipe or if not required then a single ladle of base IMMEDIATELY
This will ensure you dont overcook the Spice mix by burning it, VERY important this stage.

 ( As you gain experience you will learn to extend the Spice Mix frying time without burning for max effect on taste, but the 30 second suggestion is a good starting position for a beginner )

AFTER That Stage

You can relax now as you will then be adding most of your other main recipe ingredients and the remaining Base Sauce, with no further worries of anything burning, timing is not now critical anymore

If you get off to a good start by following the above instructions you will have achieved getting through the most important and crucial initial stage of beginning almost ANY curry recipe.

Of course there are many added tips and methods to have in your armoury but you will gain these through experience and by reading the excellent suggestions to be found on this Forum from its many wonderful cooks

But get the start stage correct and you are IMO 75% there towards a decent curry

Hope that helps mate

Cheers

Paul

[artistpaul]

JLC

try Razors Madras Recipe as its straight forward and easy to follow and a nice starting point

Here

http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php?topic=5061.0

It works well with any base such as yours, but of course better using his base if you want to taste his Madras exact.

Of course there are many other Members Madras recipes equally as good but just a sugg to get you on the right track

Paul

[Malc.]

Welcome on board, enjoy the quest.