gravy curry powder masala

Most Indian dishes that include a gravy have certain ingredients in common--such as garlic and ginger pastes, coriander and cumin powders and turmeric--and are made from a masala, a mix of these spices blended into a paste. So preparing and storing a gravy when you have some spare time is a great idea and makes dinner a cinch on a busy weeknight--when you are ready to cook, all you need to do is add the meat or vegetable to the gravy and cook through.

This basic masala is the necessary blend for several Indian dishes, including chicken tikka masala, chicken curry, and methi mutton curry to just name a few. This recipe makes enough gravy for a single dish, but feel free to double and freeze for later use. You can also make a thinner gravy using thinly sliced onions and tomatoes instead of grinding them into a paste.