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essence of indian cooking

Indian Curry Base

This authentic Indian curry base is your secret weapon for creating professional-quality curries at home. Made with aromatic spices, fresh ginger, and garlic, this versatile base can be frozen and used to create countless curry variations. Perfect for meal prep enthusiasts who want restaurant-style flavors without the takeout price tag.
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
Keyword: Curry
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 85kcal

Equipment

Chef's Knife
Chopping Board
Medium Saucepan
Skillet
Blender

Ingredients

  • 4 large red onions chopped
  • 2 oz fresh ginger chopped
  • 3 oz fresh garlic chopped
  • 6 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp sugar
  • 240 g chopped tomatoes canned
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • ½ tsp cinnamon powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tbsp tomato puree
  • 1 tsp tomato ketchup
  • Water as needed

Instructions

  • Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large pan and fry chopped onions on low heat for 10 minutes until soft but not brown.
  • Add garlic, ginger, and salt to the onions, then add just enough water to cover the mixture. Simmer uncovered for 30 minutes.
  • In a separate pan, heat the remaining 5 tablespoons of oil and add tomatoes, tomato puree, ketchup, turmeric, cinnamon, and paprika. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
  • Blend both mixtures separately until very fine and smooth.
  • Combine both blended mixtures in one pan and simmer for 15 minutes.
  • Add water gradually to achieve desired consistency, aiming for approximately 1600ml of gravy.
  • Allow to cool completely before storing or using immediately for your curry dishes.

Notes

Blending is absolutely essential for achieving the proper texture and flavor distribution
The base can be frozen in ice cube trays or freezer bags for up to 3 months
Adjust water consistency based on your preference - thicker for rich curries, thinner for lighter dishes
Use within 3-4 days if storing in the refrigerator
This base works perfectly for chicken, lamb, vegetable, or paneer curries
Add 2-3 tablespoons of base per serving when making individual curry dishes

Nutrition

Calories: 85kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 0.5g | Sodium: 420mg | Potassium: 285mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g