How to make all-purpose gravy base and store it properly?

It left us pondering whether this practice, while undoubtedly time-saving, aligns with the broader concept of a healthy lifestyle.

“In our busy lives, sometimes we don’t have enough time to cook gravy recipes, thereby we prefer eating outside. But this is definitely not a healthy case scenario. So, for such busy days, it is the best to plan your week ahead and do meal planning accordingly — may it be grocery shopping, or chopping vegetables or making some masalas,” said clinical dietitian Garima Goyal, adding that, it is far better than eating out, or eating unhealthily.

Let’s dive into the recipe before we learn more about such practices.

All-Purpose Gravy Base

Ingredients

4tsp – Oil
2 no – Cardamom, black
3 no – Green cardamom
3 no – Cloves
1 inch – Cinnamon
7-8 no – Black pepper
7 no – Onion
15 no – Garlic cloves
6 no – Tomato
12-15 no – Soaked cashew nuts
3-4 no – Soaked Kashmiri chilli

For masala

2tsp – Oil
5tsp – Coriander powder
2tsp – Garam masala powder
3tsp – Red chilli powder
2tsp – Cumin powder
3tsp – Turmeric

For Matar Paneer Recipe

1tsp – Butter
1tsp – Cumin seeds
Add 1 cube of masala
Water
Salt
1tsp – Kasturi methi
Coriander leaves
150g – Paneer
Green peas

Here’s how to store gravy (Source: Freepik)

According to Goyal, you can make it in bulk to be used up to a week and store it in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.

“It will stay alright till 5-7 days,” she said, noting that if one wishes to store for longer periods, opting for freezing the gravy in an ice mould works better.

“Portion out the masala into small portions, using an ice cube tray. Place the tray in the freezer, and wait for the masala cubes to freeze solid. Once the masala cubes have frozen solid, then transfer them into a freezer-safe zip-lock bag. Seal the zip-lock bag after removing all the air out, and store it in the freezer. Label the bag with the name of the contents and the date it was frozen and stored,” Goyal said.

Tip: Before refrigerating or freezing, make sure that the gravy has perfectly cooled down.

How to use the frozen gravy?

*Thaw the amount of paste you need. This can be done by directly warming the frozen masala cubes or refrigerating masala on the stovetop.

 

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*Then add ginger garlic paste (if required) and the spices of your choice.
*Finally, add the main ingredient of the curry, and a little water, and cook like you normally would.

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