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British Indian Restaurant Recipes - Main Dishes => British Indian Restaurant Recipes - Main Dishes => Madras => Topic started by: Madrasandy on January 25, 2014, 02:59 PM

Title: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Madrasandy on January 25, 2014, 02:59 PM
  Tonight I am making a Madras, always my favourite restaurant curry, but I am always a little disappointed with my own efforts using various recipes of the forum.
  So I have written down the ingredients of 10 different madras recipes from the site, heres my findings-

  % of recipes using ingredient/amounts used
 
  100% Fresh Coriander (Some added early, some add at end)
  100% Chilli Powder (chilli/kashmiri/deggi mirch) (1ts-1tb)
  100% Salt (pinch-1ts)
   90% Mix Powder (1/2ts-1tb)
   90% Tom Puree  (1ts-4tb diluted)
   80% Garlic/Ginger (1ts-1tb)
   80% Lemon Juice (1/4ts-1tb)
   60% Fenugreek (pinch-1ts)
   30% Green Pepper (slice-1/2tb)
   20% Onions (1tb)
   20% Cumin Powder (1/2ts-1ts)
   20% Tandoori Powder (pinch-1/4ts)
   20% Toamtoes (1/2 tom-1/2 chef spoon blended tin)
   20% Worcester Sauce (dash)
   20% Green Chilli (1)
   10% Curry Powder (1ts)
   10% Sugar (2ts)

 So now to work out what I shall be using in my first attempt at the ultimate madras, depending on how it works out I shall be adding/removing ingredients for my 2nd attempt.

     1 - Long Thin Green Chilli (very finely chopped)
  1Tb - Onion (very finely chopped)
   1ts - Hot Chilli Powder
   1ts - Deggi Mirch
   1ts - Kashmiri Chilli Powder
1/2Tb - Mix Powder
1/2ts - Fenugreek Leaves (rubbed between fingers)
1/2ts - Cumin Powder
   1ts - Lemon Juice
   1ts - Garlic Pureed
1/2ts - Ginger Pureed
  1Tb - Tom Puree (diluted with 2Tb water) or 2Tb Blended Tinned Toms
  1Tb - Coriander
           Salt (1/4-1/2 ts)

 Next to work out the cooking process........Will post soon as Ive decided
   

Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Madrasandy on January 25, 2014, 03:09 PM
 HaHa forgot about base sauce doh!!!

  Most use between 250ml to 350ml and all vary in base used.

  I will be using Admin New Base as that was the last base batch I made.

  I had a little experiment with this base last night after defrosting a portion.

  I left a spoonful in a dish before heating, then another spoonful in seperate dish after half hour and same again after a hour of simmering, the first was nice, the 2nd tasted a little better but after a hour of cooking it was far tastier, so tonight I will simmer for at least 1 hour.

  Also i added some more oil to the base and skimmed that off after the hour to cook the curry in, far superior to plain veg oil.

 I shall also simmer fresh chicken in the base for 5-10 minutes for use in the Madras
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Garp on January 25, 2014, 04:02 PM
Looking forward to your findings, Andy. During your admirable research, did you take into account subsequent comments as to whether it was any good?

I'd add the Worcester  :D
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: fried on January 25, 2014, 04:32 PM
Worcester sauce is a must!
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Madrasandy on January 25, 2014, 04:37 PM
 Hi Garp, most of the madras recipes i looked at were the ones with most replies on the forum, Ca madras,chewtikka,zeera,dipuraja, and also curry2go,bruce edwards,kd, to name but a few, most have good comments and I have tried a few with decent results, but always something missing.
 
 I will be adding worcester sauce as I have liked the reults before thanks for advice Garp and fried
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: fried on January 25, 2014, 04:49 PM
I've mentioned this before, but I believe Madras is one of the curries that is the hardest to get consistantly good.

I always use CTs recipe and it can still vary from pretty good to excellent depending on if my timings are correct.

If your base is sweet enough I'd be careful with adding sugar or it'll turn out as something else.

I assume you've watched CTs video for his madras which is a good reference.
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Madrasandy on January 25, 2014, 04:57 PM
 Yes have watched chewy's video, very good it is indeed, could do with commentry to go with it explaining when right time to add ingredients and why , by looks of it mine isnt going to be too much different, but it will vary with spices etc
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Madrasandy on January 26, 2014, 08:52 AM
 Made the Madras last night and I have to say it was fantastic, absolutely lovely, moreish, well balanced with no overpowering flavours, proberbly the best Madras I have made. My only gripe was the heat level, just not hot enough, but easily rectified.
  Id put this easily into my top 3 curries I have made. Gutted though as for some reason my phone didnt save some of the pictures,not sure why.

 Please try this curry as I would appreciate your feedback, it is definately worth trying you wont be disappointed.

 Ill post the recipe as I made it shortly, with a couple of pics (that did save)!
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Madrasandy on January 26, 2014, 09:30 AM
                                               MADRAS RECIPE

  1Tb - Green Pepper (finely chopped)
  1Tb - Onion (finely chopped)
   1ts - Hot Chilli Powder
   1ts - Deggi Mirch
   1ts - Kashmiri Chilli Powder
  1Tb - Mix Powder
   1ts - Fenugreek Leaves (rubbed between fingers)
   1ts - Cumin Powder
   2ts - Lemon Juice
   2ts - Garlic Pureed
   1ts - Ginger Pureed
  2Tb - Blended Tinned Toms
  1Tb - Coriander
1/4ts - Salt
   4 drops of worcester sauce
  6Tb - Reclaimed oil
350ml - Base sauce

 I bashed the onion and green pepper in pestal to form a paste

 Heat oil low to medium heat
 Add onion/pepper and cook for 3 mins
 Turn up heat
 Add garlic/ginger and cook 1 mins
 Add tomatoes and cook for 1 minute
 Add methi and stir, and mix powder stir, add chilli stir, add cumin stir add salt lemon juice and worcester sauce and stir for 1 minute
 Add ladle base and evaporate off stiring ang shaking pan continuosuly
 Add Chicken stir and add remaining base and cook 5 mins
 Cook on full for last 30-60 secs then add coriander
 Done!

 I had no reclaimed oil so I added some oil to a pan and heated then added base and simmered for 1 Hour, it really improves the base , test it as you do it, then skimmed oil of top.
 I cooked the chicken in the base for 5 mins and it produces tender tasty chicken everytime

(http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/imagehost/pics/93fd2971862ce0e2e6bfdfd2a3a6b03b.jpg)

(http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/imagehost/pics/7e90649d6df073ab4f3f11c70887de5c.jpg)

(http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/imagehost/pics/199e0b588b5b45953253ec8e4ba82e24.jpg)

Sorry no pic of final curry, phone never saved it
 
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Edwin Catflap on January 26, 2014, 01:39 PM
Hi Andy, looks good work. I use CT's as my default but will put this on the list to try!

Ed
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Madrasandy on January 26, 2014, 01:46 PM
give it a go Ed you won't be disappointed, next week I'll be trying again with a couple of slight variations to see what difference it makes to the final curry, hopefully it can be tweeked to taste even better, hopefully
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Madrasandy on February 01, 2014, 08:40 AM
 Week 2, time to make madras again with a few tweeks, hopefully it will be an improvement on last weeks successful attempt and be the one! Fingers crossed, I will post results later and pics this time
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: George on February 01, 2014, 11:41 AM
                                               MADRAS RECIPE
  1Tb - Green Pepper (finely chopped)
  1Tb - Onion (finely chopped)
   1ts - Hot Chilli Powder
   1ts - Deggi Mirch
   

Are your spoon measures level, rounded or heaped, please?
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Bri5tol on February 01, 2014, 02:42 PM
give it a go Ed you won't be disappointed, next week I'll be trying again with a couple of slight variations to see what difference it makes to the final curry, hopefully it can be tweeked to taste even better, hopefully

Hi All,  just made this curry using CTs base very nice, great flavours the only thing was I did not have any Worcester sauce >:( so I will try this next time as I will be making that again :P
Thanks MA look forward to the next one to try out :)
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Madrasandy on February 01, 2014, 03:26 PM
Hi George all measures are level spoons
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Madrasandy on February 01, 2014, 03:30 PM
 Hi Bri5tol, great effort, looks fantastic. Im glad you enjoyed it, the only thing I did differently was to bash the onion/pepper in a pestal/mortar first as I prefer a smoother curry.
 I will be making this again tonight and am really excited to see if I cam improve on it.

 Happy currying everyone
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Garp on February 01, 2014, 03:59 PM
Good stuff Andy & Bri5tol.

I've only ever made Chewy's Madras, as I tried it and loved it, but will happily give this a go.

(but not tonight cos it's Dopiaza) :)
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Madrasandy on February 01, 2014, 04:21 PM
 Which Dopiaza Garp?
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Garp on February 01, 2014, 04:40 PM
It's an, as yet, unpublished Dopiaza, Andy.

It's not really BIR so will probably stay that way :)
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Stephen Lindsay on February 01, 2014, 04:46 PM
Looks like a decent Madras there - yum!
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Madrasandy on February 01, 2014, 05:37 PM
It is Stephen and hopefully after a slight tinker tonight it will be even better
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Stephen Lindsay on February 01, 2014, 10:23 PM
Let us know how you get on
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Madrasandy on February 02, 2014, 09:27 AM
 Made this Madras again last night with a couple of refinements -

 All chilli powders were heaped teaspoons instead of level

 Added 1 ts tom puree to blended toms

 Result -

 Wonderful curry, perfect madras heat level, very very close to the real deal |

(http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/imagehost/pics/2121e6098cbdabeddc036feafefdae85.jpg)

 All out of Admin New Base now so will be making a new batch of base this week, which base? not sure yet, but will be trying a different base to see what the results of the Madras will be using different bases
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: madmatt on February 04, 2014, 02:13 AM
This looks so good I'm gonna give it a go very soon.as for the base, I would recommend chewy tikkas 1hr pressie cooker base(or 4hr one if u don't have a pressure cooker)

Thanks for posting!

Matt
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Madrasandy on February 05, 2014, 07:48 PM
Forgot to mention that on the the 2nd attempt I also added a star anise to the oil and fried for a minute with onions then removed star anise while still frying onions, it gave it a little bit of extra flavour that I have noticed in certain BI madras's.
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: jb on February 05, 2014, 08:46 PM
Forgot to mention that on the the 2nd attempt I also added a star anise to the oil and fried for a minute with onions then removed star anise while still frying onions, it gave it a little bit of extra flavour that I have noticed in certain BI madras's.

Can't beat a decent BIR madras,must admit they've got a bit bland round my way these days.The star anise is a very good tip indeed.I always wondered what gave my old style madras that aniseed hint of flavour,maybe fennel or indeed aniseed itself.However,I actually found half a piece of star anise in one dish a while back,so chefs do use these things,at least they used to in my local place.
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Madrasandy on February 05, 2014, 09:07 PM
 Yeah I know what you mean jb, ive always noticed a slight aniseed ish taste in a madras, in the non-bland variety of a few years ago anyway
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: curryhell on February 07, 2014, 10:32 PM
Some great looking food there Andy.  Let us know when you arrive at what you consider to be your ultimate madras. I too use star anise when making my own version of a madras.  Those pics have definitely got me in the mood for my TA madras.  I do hope i'm not disappointed  :-\
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Madrasandy on February 08, 2014, 09:04 AM
 I will do CH, made it again last night but used KD2 base (added a few extra spices to the spec), I cant really comment on it though as I had spent 3 hours making the base first, and as we all know the senses become nulled after all that smell, but I wasnt as impressed as previous attempt but that could just be down to making the base. Ive kept a portion of base and am making the Madras again tonight so will post results later.
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: curryhell on February 08, 2014, 03:11 PM
Ive kept a portion of base and am making the Madras again tonight so will post results later.
Look forward to the report.  After my TA madras last night  :( , i'm very tempted to get in the kitchen.  Even on a bad night i can cook better  :o
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Stephen Lindsay on February 08, 2014, 04:39 PM
Agree entirely CH the more we cook the more we become disappointed with what our BIR takeaways serve us. I'm enjoying this thread and looking forward to seeing what MA's ultimate Madras will consist of once he has perfected it.
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: spook8519 on February 08, 2014, 10:46 PM
Yes couldn't agree more. My local take away 'Indian' in St Michaels's Tenterden, served me with a Madras that was 8 bits of small chicken and carrot juice like sauce. I was hoping for a 'wow' factor but got oh dear me, Wife(very critical) said mine was better :0
I still reminisce about the wonderful curries from Curry Garden (Ashford), and still compare mine to the hay day of Indian cooking in the 80's.
The effort people put into their home curries is great and this forum has been excellent in helping me and probably others in striving for that curry perfection.
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Peripatetic Phil on February 08, 2014, 11:23 PM
My local take away 'Indian' in St Michaels's Tenterden, served me with a Madras that was 8 bits of small chicken and carrot juice like sauce.

Would that be M*****k, Spook ?  A friend and I dined in the latter this evening for the first time; the food was OK (particularly the Tandoori Platter we had as a shared starter) but the Bhuna Chicken and the Lamb Dhansak were not outstanding, and the aloo in the Sag Aloo seemed to have been a little older than it should ...  Good service, though, and friendly staff, but being handed a hot napkin by a waiter using his fingers rather than tongs seemed a little unusual.

** Phil.
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Petrolhead360 on February 09, 2014, 12:13 PM
Tried this recipe last night and was impressed.
It's renewed my interest in BIR at home.

Good trick with adding the oil to the base and simmering for 1 hour.
Didn't have a tin of tomatoes so added the 'new' secret ingredient instead - ketchup!

Will definitely make this again.

How about applying the same approach with vindaloo?
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Madrasandy on February 09, 2014, 02:35 PM
 Hi Petrolhead, glad you enjoyed the recipe. I too have used tom sauce in previous curries and may even have a go at this madras using it next time. I made it again last night and instead of green pepper i used 2 thin green chillis. The result waqs fantastic but a little too hot to be called a madras but it could be a winner if the chilli powder is altered. I still intend to test this recipe substituting the 3 chilli powders to just using 1 type of chilli powder. I think i would have to make it 3 times in one night, 1 with just chilli, 1 with deggi mirch and 1 with kashmiri, just to compare the difference in flavour for each curry. There are still many things you can change to a recipe and hopefully soon I will have a final recipe, if I havent already got it !

  Once I have perfected the madras I will be moving on to a Vindaloo and documenting that in the same manner as the Madras.
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: spook8519 on February 09, 2014, 07:52 PM
Yes the M*****k is not as good as it;s parent house  :o
Will be looking forward to the vindaloo recipe, keep up the good work madrasandy  :)
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Madrasandy on February 23, 2014, 04:18 PM
 Been experimenting with this recipe for last 2 weeks, but with the KD2 base as I ran out of Admin New Base. Ive tried different tomato (fresh/puree/passatta), tried different combinations of chilli powders(deggi,kashmiri,chilli), different spice mixes, different quantities of garlic/ginger, different cooking techniques from hard frying spices to not frying spices, with no significant breakthrough or improvement on first attempt.
 My very first attempt was a huge success and it used Admin New Base and was excellent, so last night I made it again to spec apart from one different ingredient, THE BASE, I used KD2 base sauce and I have to say it was a very average curry, I could taste the base sauce more than the curry, it was a little overpowering.
 I will not be making or using the KD base again and feel all my experiments have been wasted because I used the KD base for the past 2 weeks of my testing. As it doesnt even make a good curry for my first attempt recipe any experimentations are never going to be worth while.
  Oh well we learn from our mistakes, back to the drawing board!!!
  I will be making a new batch of base sauce this week, prob Admin New Base, but I am open to suggestions as to what people think the base sauce I should make for this experiment is.

 Please comment for what base sauce you would like/think I should use ?
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Stephen Lindsay on February 23, 2014, 07:31 PM
madrasandy I think as you had success with your first base I would stick with that and experiment with the other variables.  I have done this with several recipes, changing only one element at a time and kept notes when doing so (I can't recall if you were doing this so apologies if you were). It's a slow and methodical method but I think you learn something from each variation.
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: LouP on February 23, 2014, 07:51 PM
I have only tried 1 base (Zaal) and have several consistently great Madras curries. Iwill try another base when this is nearly done and when I make the Zaal again I will use more water but the taste is pretty great .
Let us know how you get on with Madras and other base as Madras is my all time fave :)
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Madrasandy on February 24, 2014, 07:55 PM
Yes Stephen I have been taking notes, havent been updating post with them though as I had no positive results to post, and great point on using the original base again , thankyou
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Garp on February 28, 2014, 09:03 PM
Fancy a try at your Ultimate Madras tomorrow, Andy. Any last tips?
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Madrasandy on March 01, 2014, 08:06 AM
Hi Garp i would just stick to this recipe that I first made-

MADRAS RECIPE

  1Tb - Green Pepper (finely chopped)
  1Tb - Onion (finely chopped)
   1ts - Hot Chilli Powder
   1ts - Deggi Mirch
   1ts - Kashmiri Chilli Powder
  1Tb - Mix Powder
   1ts - Fenugreek Leaves (rubbed between fingers)
   1ts - Cumin Powder
   2ts - Lemon Juice
   2ts - Garlic Pureed
   1ts - Ginger Pureed
  2Tb - Blended Tinned Toms
  1Tb - Coriander
1/4ts - Salt
   4 drops of worcester sauce
  6Tb - Reclaimed oil
350ml - Base sauce

 I bashed the onion and green pepper in pestal to form a paste

 Heat oil low to medium heat
 Add onion/pepper and cook for 3 mins
 Turn up heat
 Add garlic/ginger and cook 1 mins
 Add tomatoes and cook for 1 minute
 Add methi and stir, and mix powder stir, add chilli stir, add cumin stir add salt lemon juice and worcester sauce and stir for 1 minute
 Add ladle base and evaporate off stiring ang shaking pan continuosuly
 Add Chicken stir and add remaining base and cook 5 mins
 Cook on full for last 30-60 secs then add coriander
 Done!

Of course you can feel free to change anything in the recipe to suit your needs, personally I think this is absolutely wonderful and all others experiments I have done havent been as nice as the this original recipe. Chilli can be upped a little but havent decided on what proportions of chilli powders work best. Also a thin green chilli in place of the green pepper works well but it does up the heat considerably so chilli powders need to be altered to get the correct heat for a true Madras. Hope you try this Garp and could you please report back your findings and any alterations made.
 I think this is a great Madras, the best I have made but it is still only a work in progress, a few tweaks here and there, but only small ones, and it will be perfect.
 It would be good if you made it to spec and then decided what you think it needs more/less off and maybe we could crack it , other peoples opinions are most appreciated and helpful.
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Garp on March 01, 2014, 09:52 AM
Thanks Andy. Don't have any deggi mirch and the rest is very similar to the Chewy one I usually make, so will just make that, but add some fenugreek leaf and see how it goes :)
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Madrasandy on March 01, 2014, 10:13 AM
Ok Garp, let us know how you get on, I found that using blended tinned toms instead of tom puree gave a smoother more balanced curry, and also bashing the onion/green pepper(or green chilli) in a pestal/mortar and frying gently for longer reduced the acid and improved the sweetness, as for the chilli powders I think the deggi mirch gives a more moreish taste than normal chilli powder. I am still working on that aspect of the curry and am again experimenting tonight and may just use deggi mirch only, or may just use kashmiri only to see what the flavour difference is. I made a base last night but couldnt decide which one so ended up making a mix between KD1/admin new base/ Ca /taz, hopefully it will be ok . Which base are you using Garp?
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Garp on March 01, 2014, 10:27 AM
I use this one Andy:

4 x Big onions chopped up roughly.
 50 grams unpeeled fresh ginger chopped up roughly.
 50 grams peeled fresh garlic chopped up roughly.
 6tbs vegetable oil
 1tsp heaped salt
 240g (small) tin of chopped tomatoes
 1tbs tomato puree
 1tsp turmeric
 1tsp Paprika
 2tsp Coriander powder
 2tsp Fenugreek powder
 2tsp Cumin powder
 1tsp Garam masala

Method:

1. Fry the onion in 1tbs of the oil for 10 mins on a low heat until soft & translucent (don?t let them brown as this changes the taste).
 2. Add in the garlic, ginger and salt then add enough water to just cover the top of all ingredients.
 3. Bring it up to the boil then turn down to a light simmer uncovered for around 30 minutes.
 4. While this is simmering, put the rest of the oil (5tbs), the tomatoes, puree, turmeric and paprika into another saucepan ? bring to the boil then simmer for 10 mins on low heat.
 5. Let the 2 mixtures cool down then blend them both separately until they are super smooth.
 6. Combine the mixes and bring to a simmer.
 7. Add the coriander, cumin, fenugreek and garam masala and leave the whole curry base to simmer for 15 minutes.
 8. You need the final sauce to end up being about 1.6 litres - if it's not, add water to this volume now and if there?s too much keep simmering to reduce.
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Madrasandy on March 01, 2014, 10:44 AM
Cheers Garp, is that your own recipe, hoping my base is ok , bases take to long to experiment with, it certainly smelt nice while cooking last night so fingers crossed it will be good tonight.
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Garp on March 01, 2014, 10:55 AM
It's one I found on another site before I joined this one. I find it very versatile so have just stuck with it :)
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Madrasandy on March 01, 2014, 11:22 AM
yeah , I need to decide on a base and stick with it, tried many but none have had the 'wow' factor as of yet.
Looking forward to madras with new batch of base tonight
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Garp on March 01, 2014, 11:49 AM
Looking forward to the report and pics mate.
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Madrasandy on March 01, 2014, 12:01 PM
 Ill report later Garp and post some pics, also having onion Bhajis(new recipe I tested last week), yoghurt mint sauce, which Ill also post pics of.
 Let us know how you get on with your Madras Garp and what you used in the making of
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Garp on March 01, 2014, 07:12 PM
Made the madras, Andy, scaled up for three people. Decided to go for your onion/chilli paste thing (but blended it with hand blender). One onion with one green chilli - turned out pale green, but, I feel, added to the final taste. Apart from that, only changes I made was to add a little more Worcester Sauce and an eight of a tsp of red food colouring, as it looked a bit anaemic.

All in all, a brilliant recipe, which I will now use as my standard Madras.

Here's a little pic (not the best)

(http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/imagehost/pics/acdff595a484c48b55d362e112194294.JPG) (http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/imagehost/#acdff595a484c48b55d362e112194294.JPG)
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: curryhell on March 01, 2014, 07:23 PM
Nice looking madras there Garp  :P :P :P  Is that a happy naan i see lurking in the background  :o
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Garp on March 01, 2014, 07:45 PM
CH - thought you'd died or run away......welcome back.

Of course it's a wee H4ppy Naan there:)
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Madrasandy on March 01, 2014, 08:02 PM
Hi Garp glad you enjoyed it, I am making mine soon, just letting onion bhajis settle then back to kitchen, bhajis were spot on, by the way which chilli powder did you use and how much? All my ingredients prepped and ready to go, cant wait. Your curry looks great its making me hungry  :D
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Garp on March 01, 2014, 08:25 PM
I just used regular chilli power, Andy. With the onion/chilli paste it was enough for me :) 
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Garp on March 01, 2014, 08:50 PM
Looking forward to the latest madras, mate.

Remember.... no matter how hungry people are.... there's always time for a picture :)
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Madrasandy on March 01, 2014, 09:02 PM
picture taken, curry spot on, a little too hot though, not that im complaining, i will upload photos and report when im more sober.......in morning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Garp on March 01, 2014, 09:08 PM
Enjoy the rest of your evening mate :)
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Madrasandy on March 02, 2014, 07:58 AM
(http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/imagehost/pics/0c0eb49774a261021aa5bf1d58b350fe.jpg)
(http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/imagehost/pics/062b81f865984c2272c13a9734254267.jpg)
(http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/imagehost/pics/4fdaec3d4a6cc559765cef0604d64854.jpg)
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Micky Tikka on March 02, 2014, 08:23 AM
Very sexy for a sunday morning  :)
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Madrasandy on March 02, 2014, 08:26 AM
Cheers Michael, they were all amazing, the onion bhajis were the best ive made, the madras was hot moreish and gone in 60 seconds!!
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Garp on March 02, 2014, 08:59 AM
That all looks very nice, Andy. Good stuff :)
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Madrasandy on March 02, 2014, 03:55 PM
Garp, did you get your base from TheCurrySauce.com? Would you recommend the base? and also have you made the Fundamental Onion Paste of said site? I keep meaning to have a go at an onion paste I think there could be something in it
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Garp on March 02, 2014, 04:27 PM
Yes, Andy, I did. Dropped the garam masala down a tsp for my own tastes.

I would certainly recommend it - it is neutral - as a base should be, IMO. Can be used for everything from Korma to Madras.....and beyond.

I did try the onion paste at the start, and added it to a couple of dishes. I wasn't convinced it added too much to be honest.

Having said that - I used your blended onions/green chilli in yesterday's madras and that seemed to add something, so might revisit that idea.

By the way....just got the report back from Step-Garp on last night's madras. Very very good was the verdict :)
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Madrasandy on March 02, 2014, 07:25 PM
I made my madras last night but I never blended the onion/chilli and it wasnt as good as normal, thats what got me thinking of the onion paste.I also used kashmiri and deggi mirch (no standard chilli powder) which seemed to make it a little 'rich' but it was still an excellent curry and said by the wife that it was the best one so far. All noted and ready for my next attempt. Im glad you got positive feedback Garp, maybe we can crack this together, I will be making an onion paste for my next attempt.
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Garp on March 02, 2014, 07:55 PM
Im glad you got positive feedback Garp, maybe we can crack this together, I will be making an onion paste for my next attempt.

Hey, Andy - I'm happy now, I can make a bloody good, restaurant-style madras. I'll leave it to your good self to find the 'Ultimate'. But I will certainly try whatever you finally end up with :)
Title: Re: THE ULTIMATE MADRAS - AN EXPERIMENT
Post by: Madrasandy on March 02, 2014, 09:11 PM
No worries Garp, I shall continue my trials, alone! haha