curry base recipe | basic curry sauce | all-purpose curry base gravy (2024)

curry base recipe | basic curry sauce | all-purpose curry base gravy with detailed photo and video recipe. an easy and simple multipurpose gravy base which can be used for myriad north indian gravy. basically the same concept is used in most of the indian restaurant to quickly prepare different types of curries. you may make this once and store it in the freezer and use it whenever required.
curry base recipe | basic curry sauce | all-purpose curry base gravy (1)

Table of Contents hide

1Watch Video

2Recipe Card

3Ingredients 1x2x3x

4Step By Step Photos

5Onion Tomato Paste Preparation

6Cashew Melon Paste Preparation

7Mulitpurpose Base Preparation

8Matar Paneer Preparation Using Curry Base

9Kaju Masala Preparation Using Curry Base

10Notes

curry base recipe | basic curry sauce | all-purpose curry base gravy with step by step photo and video recipe. curries or sabzi recipes are very common among indian households. these curries generally have the same gravy base, but differs with vegetables or meat toppings with some extra spices. in this post we will learn how to make an all-purpose curry base recipe and use it for different types of north indian curries.

i guess most of them have faced this situation where either they do not have much time to spend in the kitchen. or feel monotonous and bored in preparing the same style curries with different vegetables. and you may have also wondered how on the earth these indian restaurants prepare different types of curries within minutes. and the same recipe takes forever for us to prepare at home? well, the answer is the multipurpose basic curry sauce or curry base recipe. basically you need to prepare it once and refrigerate it and use it for curries like kadai paneer, mutter paneer, kaju masala or mix veg gravy. i personally have not tried with any meat, but i am confident that it can also be used with any choice of meats. perhaps you may need to pressure cook it separately and mix it with this sauce.

curry base recipe | basic curry sauce | all-purpose curry base gravy (2)

in addition, some more tips, suggestions variations to the all-purpose curry base recipe. firstly, in this recipe, i have prepared the basic curry sauce with just onions and tomatoes to get the thick base. as a fusion, you may also use carrots, capsic*ms and bell peppers on top onion and tomato base. secondly, if you wish to have a longer shelf life you may need to be generous in adding cooking oil while preparing the base. oil helps to preserve the sauce and also improves the shelf life of the curry base. lastly, you may need to freeze the curry sauce and you should be good by just refrigerating it. it should easily last long for 4 weeks easily.

finally, i request you to check my other curries recipes collection with this post of basic curry sauce. it mainly includes my other detailed recipes like milkmaid, cheese in 30 minutes, Dietary Supplements: What You Need to Know, , badam powder, aam papad, 5 things you are doing wrong in the kitchen and how to correct it, , how to make paneer at home, top 6 health benefits of mint leaf. further to these i would also like to mention my other recipe categories like,

  • roti or naan recipes
  • sandwich recipes
  • rice recipes

curry base video recipe:

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recipe card for basic curry sauce recipe:

curry base recipe | basic curry sauce | all-purpose curry base gravy (3)

curry base recipe | basic curry sauce | all-purpose curry base gravy

HEBBARS KITCHEN

easy curry base recipe | basic curry sauce | all-purpose curry base gravy

4.98 from 516 votes

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Course curry

Cuisine north indian

Servings 8 cup

Calories 354 kcal

Ingredients

for onion tomato paste:

  • ½ cup oil
  • 1 inch cinnamon
  • 1 tsp cardamom
  • 1 tsp clove
  • 2 bay leaf
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 500 grams onion, sliced
  • 30 grams garlic
  • 30 grams ginger
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 kg tomato, sliced

for base:

  • ¼ cup oil
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 3 tbsp kashmiri red chilli powder
  • 3 tbsp coriander powder
  • 1 tsp cumin powder
  • 1 tsp garam masala

for cashew melon paste:

  • ¼ cup cashew
  • ¼ cup melon seeds
  • ½ cup hot water

for matar paneer:

  • 1 tsp butter
  • ½ tsp cumin
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ½ onion, finely chopped
  • ½ cup peas / matar, boiled or frozen
  • ½ cup water
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 15 cube paneer / cottage cheese, fried
  • 1 tsp kasuri methi, crushed
  • ¼ tsp garam masala
  • 2 tbsp coriander, finely chopped

for kaju masala:

  • 3 tsp oil
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ½ tsp cumin
  • ½ onion, finely chopped
  • ½ capsicum, sliced
  • ½ cup water
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ cup cashew, fried
  • 1 tbsp cream
  • 1 tsp kasuri methi, crushed

Instructions

onion tomato paste preparation:

  • firstly, in a large kadai heat½ cup oil and add 1 inch cinnamon, 1 tsp cardamom, 1 tsp clove, 2 bay leaf and 1 tsp cumin.

  • saute on low flame until it turns aromatic.

  • now add500 grams onion,30 grams garlic, 30 grams ginger, 1 tsp salt and saute well.

  • further, add 1 kg tomato, cover and cook for 15 minutes or until it turns soft and mushy.

  • cool completely and transfer to the blender.

  • blend to smooth paste without adding any water. keep aside.

cashew melon paste preparation:

  • firstly, in a bowl take ¼ cup cashew, ¼ cup melon seeds and soak in ½ cup hot water for 15 minutes.

  • blend to smooth paste. keep aside.

mulitpurpose base preparation:

  • firstly, in a large kadai heat¼ cup oil and add 1 tsp turmeric, 3 tbsp kashmiri red chilli powder, 3 tbsp coriander powder, 1 tsp cumin powder and 1 tsp garam masala.

  • saute on low flame until the spices turn aromatic.

  • now add in prepared onion tomato masala paste and mix well.

  • cover and cook for 20 minutes or until oil separates. make sure to stir in between to prevent from burning.

  • further add in prepared cashew melon paste and cook well.

  • cook until the mixture separates the oil.

  • finally, curry base is ready. cool completely and refrigerate in an airtight box for upto 10 days. you can freeze for upto a month.

matar paneer preparation using curry base:

  • firstly, in a pan heat1 tsp butter and saute ½ tsp cumin and 1 bay leaf.

  • now add½ onion and saute well.

  • further add½ cup peas and saute for a minute.

  • add in 1 cup of prepared curry base and saute for a minute.

  • now add½ cup water and ½ tsp salt. mix well adjusting consistency as required and boil.

  • further add15 cube paneer and mix well.

  • also add 1 tsp kasuri methi, ¼ tsp garam masala and 2 tbsp coriander.

  • finally, enjoy matar paneer recipe with roti.

kaju masala preparation using curry base:

  • firstly, in pan heat3 tsp oil and saute 1 bay leaf, ½ tsp cumin.

  • add ½ onion and saute well.

  • also add½ capsicum and saute until it shrinks slightly.

  • further add 1 cup of prepared curry base and saute for a minute.

  • now add½ cup water and ½ tsp salt. mix well adjusting consistency as required and boil.

  • further add ¼ cup cashew and mix well.

  • also add 1 tbsp cream, 1 tsp kasuri methi and mix well.

  • finally, enjoy kaju masala recipe with roti.

Nutrition

Calories: 354kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 6gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 606mgPotassium: 647mgFiber: 6gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 2669IUVitamin C: 40mgCalcium: 80mgIron: 3mg

Tried this recipe?Mention @HebbarsKitchen or tag #hebbarskitchen!

how to make curry base with step by step photo:

onion tomato paste preparation:

  1. firstly, in a large kadai heat½ cup oil and add 1 inch cinnamon, 1 tsp cardamom, 1 tsp clove, 2 bay leaf and 1 tsp cumin.
    curry base recipe | basic curry sauce | all-purpose curry base gravy (4)
  2. saute on low flame until it turns aromatic.
    curry base recipe | basic curry sauce | all-purpose curry base gravy (5)
  3. now add500 grams onion,30 grams garlic, 30 grams ginger, 1 tsp salt and saute well.
    curry base recipe | basic curry sauce | all-purpose curry base gravy (6)
  4. further, add 1 kg tomato, cover and cook for 15 minutes or until it turns soft and mushy.
    curry base recipe | basic curry sauce | all-purpose curry base gravy (7)
  5. cool completely and transfer to the blender.
    curry base recipe | basic curry sauce | all-purpose curry base gravy (8)
  6. blend to smooth paste without adding any water. keep aside.
    curry base recipe | basic curry sauce | all-purpose curry base gravy (9)

cashew melon paste preparation:

  1. firstly, in a bowl take ¼ cup cashew, ¼ cup melon seeds and soak in ½ cup hot water for 15 minutes.
    curry base recipe | basic curry sauce | all-purpose curry base gravy (10)
  2. blend to smooth paste. keep aside.
    curry base recipe | basic curry sauce | all-purpose curry base gravy (11)

mulitpurpose base preparation:

  1. firstly, in a large kadai heat¼ cup oil and add 1 tsp turmeric, 3 tbsp kashmiri red chilli powder, 3 tbsp coriander powder, 1 tsp cumin powder and 1 tsp garam masala.
    curry base recipe | basic curry sauce | all-purpose curry base gravy (12)
  2. saute on low flame until the spices turn aromatic.
    curry base recipe | basic curry sauce | all-purpose curry base gravy (13)
  3. now add in prepared onion tomato masala paste and mix well.
    curry base recipe | basic curry sauce | all-purpose curry base gravy (14)
  4. cover and cook for 20 minutes or until oil separates. make sure to stir in between to prevent from burning.
    curry base recipe | basic curry sauce | all-purpose curry base gravy (15)
  5. further add in prepared cashew melon paste and cook well.
    curry base recipe | basic curry sauce | all-purpose curry base gravy (16)
  6. cook until the mixture separates the oil.
    curry base recipe | basic curry sauce | all-purpose curry base gravy (17)
  7. finally, curry base is ready. cool completely and refrigerate in an airtight box for upto 10 days. you can freeze for upto a month.
    curry base recipe | basic curry sauce | all-purpose curry base gravy (18)

matar paneer preparation using curry base:

  1. firstly, in a pan heat1 tsp butter and saute ½ tsp cumin and 1 bay leaf.
    curry base recipe | basic curry sauce | all-purpose curry base gravy (19)
  2. now add ½ onion and saute well.
    curry base recipe | basic curry sauce | all-purpose curry base gravy (20)
  3. add in 1 cup of prepared curry base and saute for a minute.
    curry base recipe | basic curry sauce | all-purpose curry base gravy (21)
  4. further add½ cup peas and saute for a minute.
    curry base recipe | basic curry sauce | all-purpose curry base gravy (22)
  5. now add½ cup water and ½ tsp salt. mix well adjusting consistency as required and boil.
    curry base recipe | basic curry sauce | all-purpose curry base gravy (23)
  6. further add15 cube paneer and mix well.
    curry base recipe | basic curry sauce | all-purpose curry base gravy (24)
  7. also add 1 tsp kasuri methi, ¼ tsp garam masala and 2 tbsp coriander.
    curry base recipe | basic curry sauce | all-purpose curry base gravy (25)
  8. finally, enjoy matar paneer recipe with roti.
    curry base recipe | basic curry sauce | all-purpose curry base gravy (26)

kaju masala preparation using curry base:

  1. firstly, in pan heat3 tsp oil and saute 1 bay leaf, ½ tsp cumin.
    curry base recipe | basic curry sauce | all-purpose curry base gravy (27)
  2. add ½ onion and saute well.
    curry base recipe | basic curry sauce | all-purpose curry base gravy (28)
  3. also, add ½ capsicum and saute until it shrinks slightly.
    curry base recipe | basic curry sauce | all-purpose curry base gravy (29)
  4. further add 1 cup of prepared curry base and saute for a minute.
    curry base recipe | basic curry sauce | all-purpose curry base gravy (30)
  5. now add½ cup water and ½ tsp salt. mix well adjusting consistency as required and boil.
    curry base recipe | basic curry sauce | all-purpose curry base gravy (31)
  6. further, add ¼ cup cashew and mix well.
    curry base recipe | basic curry sauce | all-purpose curry base gravy (32)
  7. also add 1 tbsp cream, 1 tsp kasuri methi and mix well.
    curry base recipe | basic curry sauce | all-purpose curry base gravy (33)
  8. finally, enjoy kaju masala recipe with roti.
    curry base recipe | basic curry sauce | all-purpose curry base gravy (34)

notes:

  • firstly, make sure to cook masala paste really well. else the base does not last long.
  • also, be generous while adding oil to increase the shelf life of curry.
  • additionally, you can replace melon seeds with cashew. however, melon seeds are less expensive compared to cashew.
  • finally, onion tomato paste can be filtered using a sieve to get a silky smooth curry base.

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curry base recipe | basic curry sauce | all-purpose curry base gravy (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between curry sauce and curry gravy? ›

A curry is simply a sauce that has curry, or masala, and usually cumin too in it to give it that distinctive “curry” flavor. A sauce is a combination of finely diced solids with liquids that is used over solid foods. A gravy is similar to a sauce but has meat as both a flavoring agent and served as a course .

What is curry gravy made of? ›

Add garlic, ginger, garam masala, ground coriander, cumin, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, salt, pepper, cardamom and tomato puree and stir together. Add chopped red and green bell pepper, chopped carrot and a tin of chopped tomatoes. Stir and bring to the boil, then simmer for 1 hour.

What is base gravy made from? ›

Method
  1. Chop onions, carrot, tomato, pepper, coriander, garlic, ginger and put in a pan.
  2. Cover with water and add salt and pepper. Bring to the boil and simmer until ingredients are soft.
  3. Remove from heat and add tin of tomatoes. ...
  4. Now add all spices and return to the heat. ...
  5. Your gravy base is now ready to use.

How to make curry gravy thick? ›

One of the most common methods to thicken a curry sauce is by reducing it. To do this, simmer your sauce over low to medium heat, allowing excess moisture to evaporate. As the liquid decreases, the sauce thickens. This technique works well for tomato-based sauces and thinner curries.

Is curry sauce called gravy? ›

In some parts of Asia, particularly India, gravy is any thickened liquid part of a dish. For example, the liquid part of a thick curry may be referred to as gravy.

What is basic difference between sauce and gravy? ›

In summary, although sauces and gravies may seem similar, there are key differences between the two. Sauces are made with a liquid base and are often thinner and more pourable, while gravies are made with the drippings from cooked meats and are thicker and more viscous.

How do restaurants make curry so creamy? ›

The actual sweetness and creaminess of such curries meanwhile, usually comes from fried onions and either cashews and/or dairy products. Instead of (or in addition to) onion, ground coconut may be used. White poppy seeds and/or watermelon seeds are also used in some creamy sauces.

What is the liquid in curry called? ›

Wet curries contain significant amounts of sauce or gravy based on broth, coconut cream or coconut milk, dairy cream or yogurt, or legume purée, sautéed crushed onion, or tomato purée.

Can you buy base gravy? ›

Base gravy is essential if you want to replicate British Indian Restaurant recipes at home. Our new base gravy pouches will last a month without having to be frozen or chilled with no preservatives or additives, just plain and simple fresh ingredients hand cooked by our expert Indian chefs.

How do you make curry taste like a restaurant? ›

Simple suggestions for restaurant good quality curries:
  1. Fry your onions till they are golden brown.
  2. Fry your spices but don't burn them. ...
  3. Use good quality spices. ...
  4. Seasoning. ...
  5. Use fatty yoghurt (greek style works) in curries to make them richer. ...
  6. Patience. ...
  7. Use a neutral vegetable oil. ...
  8. Experiment.
Jun 24, 2018

How do you thicken curry? ›

Add one tablespoon of cornflour to two or three tablespoons of cold water and stir. Pour the mixture into the sauce and allow to simmer until the sauce begins to thicken. Which doesn't take very long. Ideal for Indian curries and can be used as a cream substitute (which is also thickens sauces).

What is the formula for gravy? ›

A traditional roux uses roughly an equal amount of flour and fat, but gravies often call for a bit more flour than that, to ensure the gravy is thick enough. (The classic ratio for gravy is three:two:one, so 3 tablespoons flour, 2 tablespoons fat, and 1 cup of hot stock.)

What makes Indian curry thick? ›

Coconut is a great ingredient used for thickening curries. It can be used in any form – milk, cream or grated. This method is most suited for Thai, South Indian and other Asian curries. It not only makes your curry flavorful, but also makes the curry creamier.

Will coconut milk thicken a curry? ›

Coconut milk do not act as thickness agent . How do you thicken a curry without dairy or coconut milk? Depends on the curry you are making, but I sometimes add some tomato puree. Try a table spoon or 2 and let the curry simmer for a few minutes.

Does cornstarch make curry thicker? ›

If you have some cornstarch on hand in your kitchen, mix a tablespoon (15 mL) of cornstarch with a tablespoon (15 mL) of water. Mix this into your curry while it's boiling to get it to thicken. If necessary, you can add a bit more water and cornstarch if your curry doesn't thicken with one tablespoon (15 mL) of each.

What does curry gravy taste like? ›

The foundation of making a curry includes tempering spices in hot fat, adding aromatics and chilies, then cooking the meat and/ or vegetables in this delicious base. This, in turn, creates a curry sauce that's earthy, spicy, smoky, and slightly sweet.

What is a good substitute for curry sauce? ›

Chaat Masala

It usually involves cumin and coriander, making it a good curry powder sub. It also can contain amchoor, tamarind and green mango powder. While it's often used as a 1:1 replacement for curry, the flavor is overall sweeter and spicier than the original.

What's the difference between curry sauces? ›

The spiciest option, red curry paste is rich and fiery. Green curry paste is often considered the most popular of the three because it offers a mild, balanced flavor that is both rich and herbaceous. Yellow curry paste is heartwarming and slightly sweet and its spiciness can vary depending on the types of chilies used.

Is a gravy a sauce? ›

Gravy is a savoury sauce traditionally served with roast meats and vegetables. Discover how to make a rich, flavourful gravy at home. A thickened sauce made from the juices that ooze from meat and/or vegetables as they cook.

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