Basic North Indian Curry Base
Whole Spices
Curry Base Ingredients
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow each step to make the recipe successfully.
Prepare the Pan and Oil
Heat 3 tablespoons of cooking oil in a thick-bottomed non-stick pan until small bubbles appear.
Temper Whole Spices
Add 1 small piece of cinnamon stick, 5-6 cloves, and 3-4 green cardamom pods to the hot oil. until the spices change color and release their aroma.
Sauté Onions
Add 1 large grated red onion to the pan. Stir constantly to dry out the moisture and the onions. This process can take , depending on the heat and pan. Ensure the onions brown evenly.
Deglaze (Optional)
If the onions start to burn, add a splash of water to prevent further burning and help scrape off any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
Add Ginger and Garlic Paste
Once the onions are golden brown and , add 1 tablespoon of ginger paste and 1 tablespoon of garlic paste. Mix well and cook briefly until homogeneous.
Add Ground Spices
Introduce 1 teaspoon of ground turmeric, 1 tablespoon of ground coriander, 1 teaspoon of ground cumin, and 1 teaspoon of ground red chili powder (or to taste) to the mixture. Mix thoroughly.
Cook Spices
Continue to cook the spices for some time, stirring constantly, until they are well combined and fragrant.
Add Tomato Puree
Pour 1 cup of fresh tomato puree into the pan. Mix it into the spice and onion base.
Cook Tomato Puree
Cook the tomato puree for about , stirring occasionally, until the oil starts to separate from the gravy.
Adjust Consistency
At this point, the curry base is done. You can adjust the consistency by adding more water if you prefer a thinner gravy. If adding water, cook for a few more minutes.
Before You Cook
Helpful details before you startIngredient SubstitutionsMissing something? View suitable alternatives.View 2 swaps
No Onion?
- 1 tbsp onion powder (per medium onion)
- 3 tbsp dried minced onion
- Shallots or leeks (1:1)
No Garlic (fresh)?
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder (per clove)
- 1/2 tsp garlic granules (per clove)
Variations
Simple ways to adapt this recipe.
- Can be used as a
Can be used as a base for chicken curries.
- Can be used as a
Can be used as a base for various vegetable curries.
Helpful Tips
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North Indian Curry Base
Cuisine
Indian · North Indian
Prep + Cook Time
35 Minutes
Difficulty Level
Medium
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