Step-by-Step Instructions

1. 1.Heat Oil

   Take a thick-bottomed non-stick pan. Add 2-3 tablespoons of oil and let it heat until small bubbles start to appear in the oil.

2. 2.Temper Whole Spices

   Once the oil is hot, add the whole spices: 1 cinnamon stick, 8-10 cloves, and 4-5 cardamom pods. Stir and cook them until they change color and release their aromatic flavors into the oil.

3. 3.Sauté Onions

   Add 2 medium grated red onions to the pan. Stir constantly to dry out the moisture from the onions and begin the caramelization process. This step is crucial and can take anywhere from 3 to 10 minutes, depending on the heat and quantity.

4. 4.Brown Onions

   Continue stirring and cooking the onions until they turn a nice, even golden brown color. This ensures a rich flavor for the curry base.

5. 5.Deglaze with Water (Optional)

   To prevent the onions from burning and to ensure even cooking, add a little water to the pan. This also helps to lift any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

6. 6.Add Ginger and Garlic Paste

   Add 1 tablespoon of ginger paste and 1 tablespoon of garlic paste to the browned onions. Mix well and cook for a short period until the raw aroma of ginger and garlic disappears.

7. 7.Add Ground Spices

   Now, add the ground spices: 1 teaspoon of ground turmeric, 1 tablespoon of ground coriander, 1 teaspoon of ground cumin, and 1 teaspoon of ground red chilies. Mix all the spices thoroughly with the onion-ginger-garlic mixture.

8. 8.Cook Spices

   Cook the ground spices for some time, stirring constantly, until their raw smell is gone and they are well integrated into the mixture. You should be able to smell the fragrant spices.

9. 9.Add Tomato Puree

   Pour 2-3 medium pureed fresh tomatoes into the pan. Mix it well with the cooked onion and spice mixture.

10. 10.Cook Tomato Puree

    Cook the tomato puree for about 7-8 minutes, stirring occasionally. The key visual cue that the tomatoes are cooked and the gravy base is done is when the oil starts to separate from the mixture.

11. 11.Adjust Consistency

    Depending on the dish you want to prepare, you can add water to achieve a thinner or thicker gravy consistency. If you add water, cook for some more time to allow the flavors to meld.