Topic: Taz's Base

[joshallen2k]

I highly rate the Taz base, but agree that its not easily translated to the sweeter stuff - CTM, Korma... If Mick has any of Taz' methods on these that would be hugely appreciated.

But the point I wanted to discuss more was the notion of "reduction". Almost every chef video we've seen the chef starts with (depending on the curry) garlic, ginger, tom puree, spice mix and chilli. Then they add watery base gravy, and the vast majority of the of the cooking time is spent reducing this down. This must be a critical part of the BIR taste. If they all aimed for efficiency, they would make thicker base and have quicker curry cook time.

Perhaps part of this reduction theory is why I rate my curries using this base so highly, as the method forces you to do a complete reduction.

Some have commented negatively against the Taz method, as it doesn't follow the usual "fry spices and pastes in oil". However it does provide a focus on the reduction part.

Just an observation I thought I'd share.

-- Josh

[PaulP]

Maybe we are talking at cross purposes, but on all the TA videos I've watched the first lot of base is cooked under high heat and bubbles away for a few minutes - surely that is reduction?

I would say if you don't cook it like Taz it will taste bland.

Good luck whatever you decide to do

Could be Paulp  is the G/Ginger ,Tomato Puree, and Spices Fried in Oil first before the first ladle of Base goes in ?

I would fry the g/g in a little oil before adding some base. For the tom puree and spices I would just dump these into the first lot of base. If you really believe they must be fried then also fry your tom puree and spices before adding the base.

I don't really believe that frying is necessary for the spices/tom puree as I believe they will cook just fine in a hot oily base that is being reduced. Just my opinion but JerryM said he spent ages perfecting the frying of spices Bruce Edwards style only to find it doesn't make much difference missing out this step.

Cheers,

Paul

[emin-j]

I've made my mind up to try Taz's Base but will be frying everything before the first lot of Base go's in then reduce and so on.
Thanks' All 

[Derek Dansak]

i carefully observer the evaporation stage in a bir. and basically they just blitz it with tons of bubbles coming through the base until its reduced. there was little technique involved , accept knowing when to stop! 

[solarsplace]

Edit: Never mind, missed Razors post on previous read through: http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php?topic=4163.msg52941#msg52941

Hi All

Planning to make a batch of this tomorrow. I gather the base releases quite a lot of oil when ready?

Is the best thing to do with this base to stir it back into the liquid before portioning up? or to skim it off and use to start dishes off with etc?

Many thanks

[PaulP]

Hi SP,

I would stir back in before you divide into freezer portions.
I've just finished off my last 3 litre Taz base made to spec except for adding a third of a block of coconut and using 500 ml of the spiced oil.

The curries I produced were very flavoursome although I found the need to reduce the spicing for the final dishes by about a third to compensate for the flavoured oil.

Cheers,

Paul

[solarsplace]

Hi SP,

I would stir back in before you divide into freezer portions.
I've just finished off my last 3 litre Taz base made to spec except for adding a third of a block of coconut and using 500 ml of the spiced oil.

The curries I produced were very flavoursome although I found the need to reduce the spicing for the final dishes by about a third to compensate for the flavoured oil.

Cheers,

Paul

Many thanks for the advice

[Derek Dansak]

so which madras recipe do people recomend for the taz base?  it sounds like a good contender for the madras group test. i plan on making that taz base next week

[solarsplace]

Hi

If all goes to plan, I was going to try the Zeera Restaurant Madras (http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php?topic=5376.0) with the Taz base and Taz spice mix tomorrow.

Might be a worthy contender?

cheers

[Stephen Lindsay]

I've made my mind up to try Taz's Base but will be frying everything before the first lot of Base go's in then reduce and so on.
Thanks' All 

Am gonna make this base this week and that's the method I will be using.