Life-Changing 30 Minute Masala Sauce

• onions (I used one yellow, one purple)2
• cloves garlic↗5
• fresh ginger, crushed↗2 tablespoon
• garam masala↗3 tablespoon
• chili powder↗1 tablespoon
• turmeric↗1 tablespoon
• cumin↗1 tablespoon
• ground cloves↗0.5 teaspoon
• salt↗2 teaspoon
• cayenne pepper↗0.5 teaspoon
• almonds↗0.5 cup
• a small pile of cilantro stems
• juice of one lemon1
• tomato puree + 1/2 cup water or broth↗1.5 cup
• can coconut milk↗14 ounce
• salt (taste and adjust)↗0.5 teaspoon

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Masala Paste: Pulse all the ingredients for the Masala Paste in a food processor until smooth.

2. 2

   Masala Sauce: Heat a drizzle of oil in a skillet. Add 1/4 cup masala paste to the skillet (not all of it! reserve the rest for future use – yay you!) and with a little bit of oil and stir around in the pan until fragrant (3-5 minutes). If you’re making this with chicken or another protein, this is a good time to add your protein to the pan. Add the tomato puree and water and simmer until t’s a rusty-deep-red color – about 5-10 minutes. Add the coconut milk; simmer for 10 minutes or so until thick and creamy. Longer simmer = thicker and better flavor.