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North Indian Base Gravy – Authentic Restaurant Style

Recipe by Taste of Indian

  • Ready in60 min
  • Prep15 min
  • Cook45 min
  • CuisineIndian · North Indian
  • Serves8 Servings (Gravy)
  • Calories~450 kcal
North Indian Base Gravy – Authentic Restaurant Style

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

  • 120 mlGhee
  • 4 large (approx. 800g-1kg), finely choppedOnions
  • 120 gGinger-Garlic Paste
  • 150 gUnsalted Cashews
  • 6 medium (approx. 600-700g), blendedFresh Tomatoes
  • 240 gFull-Fat Yogurt
  • 360 mlWater

Spices

  • 1 heaped tbspKasuri Methi (Dried Fenugreek)
  • 1 pinchAjwain
  • 1 tsp (or to taste)Salt
  • 2 heaped tbspCoriander Powder
  • 1 heaped tbspKashmiri Chili Powder
  • 1 heaped tbspGaram Masala
  • 1 heaped tspTurmeric Powder
  • 1 heaped tspCumin Powder
  • 1 heaped tspFenugreek Powder

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. 1.Prepare the Onions

    Heat the ghee in a large karahi (wok) over medium-high heat. Add the finely chopped onions and fry them for approximately 10 minutes until they are well browned and caramelized, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.

  2. 2.Add Ginger-Garlic Paste

    Once the onions are browned, add the ginger-garlic paste to the pan. Cook for approximately 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until all the moisture from the paste has evaporated and it is well roasted with the onions.

  3. 3.Incorporate Cashews

    Add the unsalted cashews to the pan. Continue to roast them with the onion-ginger-garlic mixture for a few minutes until they are lightly toasted, which will bring out their flavor and add texture to the gravy.

  4. 4.Add Dry Spices

    Add all the dry spices (Kasuri Methi, Ajwain, salt, coriander powder, Kashmiri chili powder, garam masala, turmeric powder, cumin powder, and fenugreek powder) to the pan. Stir well to combine and roast the spices for 1-2 minutes. Ensure there is enough liquid in the pan to prevent the spices from burning; add a splash of water if needed.

  5. 5.Cook Tomatoes

    Gradually add the blended fresh tomatoes to the pan in two batches. Add about half first, cook for 2-3 minutes until it thickens and the raw tomato flavor cooks out. Then add the remaining blended tomatoes and continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture is thick and the oil begins to separate from the sides of the pan.

  6. 6.Add Water and Simmer

    Pour in the water to prolong the cooking process. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. This ensures all ingredients become super soft and flavors meld together. You should see oil splitting slowly from the gravy.

  7. 7.Temper and Add Yogurt

    To prevent the yogurt from splitting, temper it by taking a ladleful of the hot gravy and mixing it thoroughly with the full-fat yogurt in a separate bowl. Once well combined, slowly add the tempered yogurt mixture back into the karahi, stirring continuously. Simmer for another 5-10 minutes until the gravy reaches a beautiful creamy texture and the cashews are plump.

  8. 8.Rest and Blend (Optional)

    Turn off the heat and let the gravy relax for 15-20 minutes. At this point, you can choose to keep it as is for a rustic texture with whole cashews, or blend it with a stick blender until smooth for a finer consistency. The choice is yours.

Printed from Fullmeals.com — turn any cooking video into a recipe.

North Indian Base Gravy – Authentic Restaurant Style

Ready in

60 mins

Cuisine

Indian · North Indian

Prep Time

15 min

Cook Time

45 min

Serving

8 Servings (Gravy)

Calories / Serving

~450 kcal
Recipe by Taste of Indian on YouTube
Adjust Servings
Measurements
Tap an ingredient to mark it ready0 of 16 ready
All Ingredients

Main Ingredients

All Ingredients

Spices

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow each step to make the recipe successfully.

  1. 1

    Prepare the Onions

    Heat the ghee in a large karahi (wok) over medium-high heat. Add the finely chopped onions and fry them for approximately until they are well browned and , stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.

  2. 2

    Add Ginger-Garlic Paste

    Once the onions are browned, add the ginger-garlic paste to the pan. Cook for approximately , stirring constantly, until all the moisture from the paste has evaporated and it is well roasted with the onions.

  3. 3

    Incorporate Cashews

    Add the unsalted cashews to the pan. Continue to roast them with the onion-ginger-garlic mixture for a few minutes until they are lightly , which will bring out their flavor and add texture to the gravy.

  4. 4

    Add Dry Spices

    Add all the dry spices (Kasuri Methi, Ajwain, salt, coriander powder, Kashmiri chili powder, garam masala, turmeric powder, cumin powder, and fenugreek powder) to the pan. Stir well to combine and roast the spices for . Ensure there is enough liquid in the pan to prevent the spices from burning; add a splash of water if needed.

  5. 5

    Cook Tomatoes

    Gradually add the blended fresh tomatoes to the pan in two batches. Add about half first, cook for until it thickens and the raw tomato flavor cooks out. Then add the remaining blended tomatoes and continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture is thick and the oil begins to separate from the sides of the pan.

  6. 6

    Add Water and Simmer

    Pour in the water to prolong the cooking process. Bring the mixture to a boil, then the heat and for about , stirring occasionally. This ensures all ingredients become super soft and flavors meld together. You should see oil splitting slowly from the gravy.

  7. 7

    Temper and Add Yogurt

    To prevent the yogurt from splitting, it by taking a ladleful of the hot gravy and mixing it thoroughly with the full-fat yogurt in a separate bowl. Once well combined, slowly add the yogurt mixture back into the karahi, stirring continuously. for another until the gravy reaches a beautiful creamy texture and the cashews are plump.

  8. 8

    Rest and Blend (Optional)

    Turn off the heat and let the gravy relax for . At this point, you can choose to keep it as is for a rustic texture with whole cashews, or blend it with a stick blender until smooth for a finer consistency. The choice is yours.

Before You Cook

Helpful details before you start
Spice LevelHot
Ginger · Kashmiri chili · Garam masala
Ingredient SubstitutionsMissing something? View suitable alternatives.
View 5 swaps
  • No Ghee?

    • Unsalted butter (1:1)
    • Neutral oil (1:1, lacks the toasted note)
  • 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)
  • No Yogurt?

    • Sour cream (1:1)
    • Buttermilk (1:1, slightly thinner result)
  • No Garam masala?

    • 1 tsp cumin + 1/2 tsp coriander + 1/4 tsp cinnamon + 1/4 tsp cardamom
Ingredient Substitutions
  • No Ghee?

    • Unsalted butter (1:1)
    • Neutral oil (1:1, lacks the toasted note)
  • 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)
  • No Yogurt?

    • Sour cream (1:1)
    • Buttermilk (1:1, slightly thinner result)
  • No Garam masala?

    • 1 tsp cumin + 1/2 tsp coriander + 1/4 tsp cinnamon + 1/4 tsp cardamom
AllergensThis recipe contains dairy and nuts.
dairynuts

Storage & Leftovers

Keep your leftovers fresh and ready to enjoy.

  • Freeze

    This base gravy can be portioned and frozen for future use.

Variations

Simple ways to adapt this recipe.

  • 1
    For a quicker optionIngredient swap

    Use a British Indian Restaurant (BIR) Mix Powder from 'Taste of Indian' instead of individual spices.

  • 2
    For a vegan versionDietary option

    Use vegetable oil instead of ghee and a plant-based yogurt alternative.

  • 3
    This base gravy is versatile

    This base gravy is versatile and can be used to make dishes like Butter Chicken, Butter Paneer, or various Kormas by adding your pre-cooked protein or vegetables.

Helpful Tips

Small details that can improve the final result.

  • 1
    Cooking tipEnsure Onions Are Finely Chopped

    Ensure onions are finely chopped for even cooking and a smoother texture.

  • 2
    Flavour tipCook Onions Until Well Browned

    Cook onions until well browned to develop deep flavor.

  • 3
    Flavour tipRoast Ginger

    Garlic paste and dry spices thoroughly to remove raw flavors and enhance aroma.

  • 4
    Ingredient noteCook Fresh Tomatoes Until Their

    Cook fresh tomatoes until their raw flavor is gone and oil starts to separate.

  • 5
    Flavour tipUse Full

    Fat yogurt to prevent splitting; temper it with hot gravy before adding to the pan.

  • 6
    TipAdd Water Gradually to Prolong

    Add water gradually to prolong the cooking process and ensure all ingredients are super soft.

  • 7
    TipThis Base Gravy Can Be

    This base gravy can be portioned and frozen for future use.

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