Bombay Curry Paste Recipes

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a small bowl.
• Mix well.

Steps:

• Heat a large pan of water, add the potatoes, then cook for 8 mins until just soft. Add the peas 1 min before the end of cooking time. Drain, then set aside.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a frying pan. Fry the onion until soft and slightly coloured. Add the curry paste and mustard seeds, then fry for a few mins more until the mixture smells fragrant. Carefully stir in the potatoes and peas, trying not to mash them. Add the lemon juice and coriander, then leave to cool.
• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Unroll the pastry rectangle, place on a floured surface with the long side towards you and roll it out a little more to make it into a square shape. Cut into 4 squares, then cut each one in half so you have 8 long rectangles. Place 4 of them onto a baking sheet, brush the edges with beaten egg and place a quarter of the filling down the centre of each. Top with the remaining pastry, then pinch the edges together to make a sealed parcel. Brush with more egg, then bake for 20 mins until puffed and golden. If cooking from frozen, bake for 30 mins. Serve with fresh green salad and a spoonful of chutney.

Steps:

• Toast all the spices in a frying pan, then leave to cool. Tip into a spice grinder and blend to a fine powder, then add the tamarind paste, vinegar, cinnamon stick, chilli, coriander and roasted peppers. Blend to a coarse paste, then transfer to a container. Can be made a day ahead. Now try using this spice paste to make our venison madras.

Steps:

• Hari chutney:
• Purée apple, lime juice, ginger, garlic, cilantro, mint, sugar, a pinch of salt, and 1-2 chiles, depending on how spicy your chiles are and your heat preference, in a blender, scraping down sides and adding water by the tablespoonful, until a smooth paste forms. Taste and season with more salt or sugar if needed. (You should have about 1 cup, which is more than you'll need for the sandwiches. Color will fade as it sits.)
• Do ahead: Chutney can be made 3 days ahead. Transfer to an airtight container; cover and chill.
• Filling and assembly:
• Heat oil in a medium cast-iron or nonstick skillet over medium. Add mustard seeds and cook until popping, about 30 seconds. Add curry leaves and cumin seeds. Cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, until slightly darkened in color, about 1 minute. Stir in coriander, turmeric, asafetida (if using), and 1-2 chiles. Crumble potato into pan in large pieces and add salt. Cook, coarsely mashing and tossing potatoes to coat, until warmed through, about 2 minutes. Fold in cilantro and chaat masala. Transfer filling to a bowl. Wipe out pan and reserve.
• Arrange 4 slices of bread on a cutting board. Spread some chutney over each slice. Divide filling among slices and top with red onion, green pepper, then cheese. Spread 1 side of remaining 4 bread slices with more chutney and close up sandwiches. Spread ghee over outside of top slices of bread.
• Heat reserved pan over medium. Working in batches if needed, melt a small knob of ghee in pan, then arrange sandwiches, buttered side up, in pan. Cook until golden brown underneath, about 4 minutes. Turn over and cook, pressing down occasionally with the back of a spatula or the bottom of a saucepan, until cheese is melted and other side is golden brown, about 4 minutes.
• Serve toasties with extra chutney and ketchup alongside.
• Chef's note: Sandwiches can be made in a panini or sandwich press as well, or ideally a toastie maker.

Steps:

• Soak the chillies in 5 tablespoons hot water for 1-2 hours. (You could also put them in a microwave oven for 2-3 minutes and then let them sit for 20-30 minutes).
• Put the chillies together with their soaking liquid, into a blender, along with all the remaining ingredients in the order listed.
• Blend, pushing down with a rubber spatula as many times as necessary, until you have a smooth paste.
• What you do not use immediately should be refrigerated or frozen.

Steps:

• Blend chile peppers, onions, cilantro, oil, garlic, coriander, lemon zest, cumin, shrimp paste, paprika, peppercorns, lemon grass, turmeric, and salt together in a blender until a smooth, paste-like consistency is reached.

Steps:

• Put it all in one of those little mini-processors and zoom it a couple of times.
• Add a little bit of water, or oil, to make a paste and zoom it until it all comes together.