The Indian grocer near our home sells hot meals from a small counter at the back of the store. The menu is based on the whim of the cook and each day there are 3 different curries available. Last week we bought a paneer curry and the cook told us it was a tomato gravy thickened with flour. We put it over our spicy oven roasted potatoes and wow! Paneer is better than cheese curds. I have been buying jars of butter chicken sauce or curry sauce at the grocery store but they are relatively expensive and higher in fat and sodium than our usual meals. Today I experimented with a recipe found on Spice Up the Curry. Yum! There will be no need to go to the store to buy a jar of curry sauce or "gravy" in the future. The sauce could be used with other vegetables, lentils or meat.
Sauté in 1 tbsp of coconut oil or ghee:
2 coarsely chopped onions
2 cloves chopped garlic
2 pods cardamom, husks removed
2 teaspoons cumin seed
1 inch fresh ginger, chopped
1 inch fresh turmeric, chopped
1 jalapeno pepper, with seeds if you want heat
1/2 tsp salt
When the onions are soft and starting to brown, add 4 large tomatoes, coarsely chopped (3 cups)
Simmer until vegetables are cooked.
Transfer the vegetables to a blender and blend on high until puréed. Add 1 to 1-1/2 tablespoons of flour to the mixture while the blender is on low.
Transfer the blended vegetables back to the pan. Add 300-400 grams of diced paneer cheese, 1/2 cup of plain yogurt and 2-4 tablespoons of 10% cream. Stir until combined and adjust seasonings to taste.
Add 1 teaspoon garam masala, hot chili powder and black pepper if desired.
Heat on low but do not allow the curry to boil. Serve over potatoes, vegetables, rice or with naan bread. Like all curries, the flavour improves with time and leftovers are delicious.
(Vegans could use tofu cubes and skip or substitute the dairy ingredients)
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