Basic Hydrabadi Paste ( Popular Restaurant Recipes )

by Tarla Dalal

Added to 21 cookbooks
This recipe has been viewed 4406 times

Basic hydrabadi paste, characterised by the liberal use of select condiments and spices like sesame, peanuts etc. , hyderabadi gravies are famous for their delicious taste and aromatic nature. The basic gravy gets its unique flavour because of the roasted sesame and peanut powder combination. The recipes made with this basic gravy are slightly reddish-brown in colour and more on the spicier side due to use of slit green chillies in the final recipe. It is a versatile gravy that can be used to prepare biryani and korma, apart from the classic mirch ka salan

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Preparation Time: 15 mins
Cooking Time: 12 mins
Makes 0.75 cup
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Ingredients

For The Sesame-peanut Powder
2 tbsp peanuts
2 tbsp sesame seeds (til)
1 tbsp cumin seeds (jeera)

To Be Ground Into A Smooth Paste
6 clove garlic (lehsun)
12 ginger (adrak)
1/2 cup roughly chopped onions
3 tbsp freshly grated coconut
2 tbsp tamarind (imli) paste
2 tbsp water

Other Ingredients
3 tbsp oil
1/2 tsp turmeric powder (haldi)
1 tsp coriander-cumin seeds (dhania-jeera) powder
2 tsp chilli powder

Method
For the sesame-peanut powder

Combine all the ingredients and dry roast on a hot tava (griddle) for 30 seconds, while stirring continuously. Keep aside to cool.
Blend in a mixer to a coarse powder and keep aside.

How to proceed

Heat the oil in a kadhai, add the prepared paste and sauté on a medium flame for 4 to 5 minutes.
Add the turmeric powder, coriander-cumin seeds powder and chilli powder, mix well and cook on a slow flame for a minute, while stirring continuously.
Add the prepared sesame-peanut powder and 2 to 3 tbsp of water, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 4 to 5 minutes or till the oil separates, stirring once in between.
Use as required.

Handy tip

Clean, wash and soak 1/3 cup of deseeded tamarind (imli) in ¼ cup of warm water. Keep aside for 20 minutes and mash lightly using your fingers. Strain and use as required.

Storage

Use this gravy on the same day to make recipes of your choice. If you wish to store it in the deep-freezer for a few weeks, avoid adding coconut as the gravy may get spoilt on storing.
Cool the gravy completely, pour in food-grade zip lock bags or air-tight containers and store under refrigerated conditions. While making the subzi using the stored gravy, thaw and use it as per the recipe.
Towards the end, add 2 tbsp of coconut milk instead of freshly grated coconut, mix well and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.

RECIPE SOURCE : Popular Restaurant Gravies