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What is Indian simmer sauce?

Indian simmer sauces are flavorful, aromatic sauces that are an integral part of Indian cuisine. They are used to add delicious and complex flavors to curries, stews, braises, and other Indian dishes. Simmer sauces form the base of many classic Indian dishes like chicken tikka masala, butter chicken, rogan josh, vindaloo, etc. The sauces are simmered with spices, herbs, aromatics, and other ingredients to develop a rich, thick consistency and robust flavors.

Origins and History

The use of simmer sauces can be traced back centuries in Indian cuisine. In traditional Indian cooking, sauces were made by simmering onions, tomatoes, garlic, ginger, spices like coriander, cumin, turmeric, chilies, etc. and yogurt or coconut milk. This would create a flavorful gravy or curry base which could then be used to cook meats, vegetables, lentils, etc. The long simmering resulted in the flavors melding together perfectly.

While sauces made completely from scratch are still common in Indian home cooking, commercially prepared simmer sauces have become popular for their convenience. They allow home cooks and restaurants to quickly prepare authentic tasting Indian dishes without having to freshly grind spices or simmer a sauce for hours. The first commercial Indian simmer sauces were introduced in the UK in the 1970s to recreate the popular curry house flavors at home. Since then, many brands have made high quality bottled and jarred simmer sauces widely available.

Ingredients in Indian Simmer Sauces

Indian simmer sauces bring together a myriad of ingredients that contribute to their rich, complex flavor. Here are some of the most essential ingredients found in simmer sauces:

  • Onions – Sautéed onions are cooked down to a paste or until caramelized to add sweetness and depth of flavor.
  • Tomatoes – Tomato puree or crushed tomatoes add tangy umami flavor and texture.
  • Ginger and Garlic – Ginger adds zing while garlic provides pungency and aroma.
  • Spices – Spices like cumin, coriander, turmeric, garam masala, chili powder, etc add signature Indian spice flavors.
  • Herbs – Herbs like cilantro, mint, fenugreek, kasuri methi, etc bring fresh flavor.
  • Yogurt or Cream – Yogurt and dairy provide coolness, richness and tenderness.
  • Nuts and seeds – Cashews, almonds, coconut etc add richness and texture.
  • Chilies – Chilies like Kashmiri, jalapeno, etc bring heat and smoky flavors.

In addition to the basic ingredients, simmer sauces often include Indian spices like cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, bay leaf, curry leaves etc. as well as ingredients like tamarind, vinegar, honey, jaggery that balance flavors. Meat, vegetable or legume stocks are also used in some sauces for deeper taste.

Main Types of Indian Simmer Sauces

There are many delicious regional varieties of simmer sauces in Indian cuisine. But most sauces can be classified into these main types:

Curry Sauce

This is the quintessential Indian sauce made with onions, tomatoes and a mix of spices like coriander, cumin, turmeric, Kashmiri chili, garam masala, etc. Yogurt or coconut milk are often added. curry sauces range from thin to thick consistency and mild to spicy in flavor. They are very versatile and can be paired with chicken, shrimp, paneer, potatoes, etc.

Tikka Masala Sauce

This creamy tomato and onion based sauce has origins in Punjabi cuisine. The rich, moderately spicy sauce is used in the popular Chicken Tikka Masala dish. It gets its signature smoky flavor from grilled meat cooked in a tandoor oven.

Korma Sauce

Korma sauce has roots in Mughlai cuisine which influenced North Indian cooking. It is made with a base of onions, yogurt/cream and nuts like cashews or almonds. Mild spices like cumin, cardamom, nutmeg are used. The creamy and mildly sweet sauce goes well with chicken, lamb, fish or vegetables.

Vindaloo Sauce

This hot and sour sauce originated in Goa which was under Portuguese rule. It combines Indian spices with ingredients brought by the colonists like wine vinegar, potatoes and chili peppers. The pungent, spicy sauce is used in Pork and Chicken Vindaloo dishes.

Rogan Josh Sauce

Rogan josh comes from Kashmiri cuisine and has a brilliant red color. The sauce is made with yogurt, onions, aromatic spices like cloves, cinnamon, cardamom and chili peppers. It has a thick gravy-like consistency and is popularly used to make Lamb Rogan Josh.

Madras Sauce

Madras sauce hails from the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It uses curry leaves, tamarind, coconut and chili peppers like Bird’s eye chili to create a very hot and sour flavor profile. It is used in Chicken and Beef Madras dishes.

Kashmiri Sauce

This sauce originated in the Kashmir valley and has a rich red color from chillies, paprika and tomato puree. Spices like cumin, ginger, fennel and asafoetida are used. Yogurt and cream provide mild tang and richness. Kashmiri sauces are medium spicy and excellent for dishes like Rogan Josh and Lamb Shanks.

Jalfrezi Sauce

Jalfrezi sauce has a delicately spiced flavor dominated by green peppers and onions. Other ingredients include tomato, ginger, garlic, spices like coriander and cumin and yogurt. This thin sauce compliments the texture of stir fry dishes like Chicken or Vegetable Jalfrezi.

How are Indian Simmer Sauces Made?

Traditionally, Indian simmer sauces were made by manually cooking down onions, tomatoes and various spices and herbs for a long time over low flame. The ingredients would be constantly stirred to avoid burning. This slowly developed a concentrated and layered flavor.

Today, commercial sauces use a similar cooking process but with more automation for large scale production. Here are the typical steps for making Indian sauces:

  1. Sauté onions, garlic, ginger in oil.
  2. Add tomato puree, spices like cumin, coriander, turmeric, chili etc.
  3. Cook until tomatoes and spices are well blended.
  4. Blend in cashews, yogurt, cream, nuts, coconut milk etc. if using.
  5. Simmer the sauce for 45 mins to 1 hour allowing flavors to mingle.
  6. Finish with herbs like cilantro before bottling.

The sauce is simmered gently throughout while ensuring nothing sticks or burns at the bottom. Some spice blends may be roasted before adding to the sauce.

How to Use Indian Simmer Sauces

Indian simmer sauces add incredible flavor to dishes but using them correctly is key. Here are some tips for using simmer sauces:

  • Choose a sauce that complements the main protein or vegetables e.g., Rogan Josh with lamb.
  • Read instructions for heating and thinning if required.
  • Saute protein/veg first if instructed before adding sauce.
  • Gently simmer sauce with ingredients instead of boiling.
  • Add water/stock to loosen thick sauces if needed.
  • Adjust seasoning with salt, sugar if required.
  • Finish with cream or butter for richness if desired.
  • Garnish with cilantro, chili flakes, toasted nuts etc.

With the right sauce, even novice cooks can create restaurant-style Indian meals at home in minutes. Simmer sauces are also widely used by food manufacturers and restaurants to prepare instant meals, ready to eat curries, frozen foods etc.

Popular Brands of Indian Simmer Sauces

Here are some top brands producing high quality Indian simmer sauces:

Patak’s

A leading UK brand offering sauces like Korma, Tikka Masala, Rogan Josh, Butter Chicken, Vindaloo, etc. They use authentic regional recipes and ingredients.

Maya Kaimal

This American brand focuses on sauces made with natural, non-GMO ingredients inspired by Indian home cooking.

Deep

Deep sells a range of simmer sauces including favorites like Chicken Tikka Masala, Saag, Madras and Thai Curry. Products are gluten-free.

MTR

MTR is an iconic Indian brand with a large range of packaged foods. Their simmer sauces include regional flavors like Chettinad, Dopiaza, Lababdar etc.

Priya

Priya offers simmer sauces, pastes and cooking sauces for recipes like Butter Chicken, Palak Paneer, Goan Fish Curry etc.

S&B

S&B Japanese brand has curry cooking sauces inspired by Indian, Thai and Japanese flavors. Products like Golden Curry are very popular.

Nutritional Info and Calories in Simmer Sauces

Simmer sauces are high in flavor but also contain calories, fat and sodium that should be accounted for. Here is the nutrition information in a 1/4 cup (60ml) serving of some common commercial sauces:

Simmer Sauce Calories Total Fat Sodium
Butter chicken 90 5g 340mg
Tikka masala 80 3.5g 480mg
Korma 100 6g 320mg
Vindaloo 60 2g 590mg
Madras 60 2g 480mg

As a general rule, red meat and cream based sauces like Butter Chicken and Korma tend to be higher in fat and calories compared to lighter vegetable sauces like Vindaloo and Madras.

Are Simmer Sauces Healthy?

Moderately healthy ingredients like tomatoes, onions, yogurt, herbs, spices, nuts and seeds form the base of most Indian simmer sauces. This makes them healthier than cream or cheese based sauces popular in Western cuisines. However, some health factors to consider are:

  • Some sauces may use a lot of oil for sautéing onions.
  • Cream, coconut milk and cashews add calories and saturated fat.
  • Bottled sauces often contain added sugar and salt as flavor enhancers.
  • Preservatives are added to increase shelf life of packaged sauces.

Enjoying simmer sauces in moderation along with loads of vegetables as part of the overall dish can make the meal healthier. Opting for lower fat, lower salt sauces and adding veggies, lentils or beans also helps increase nutrition.

Can Simmer Sauces be Frozen?

Commercially made simmer sauces usually contain preservatives so they can be kept unopened at room temperature for months. Once opened, it is best to refrigerate them.

For longer term freezing, transfer the sauce to a freezer safe container leaving headspace to allow for expansion. This prevents freezer burn. Sauce can be frozen for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using again.

Avoid freezing and thawing sauces repeatedly as this affects quality. Homemade sauces without preservatives should be frozen in smaller portions that can be used up quickly after thawing.

Conclusion

Indian simmer sauces are a wonderful pantry staple for weeknight meals or dinner parties. With their complex medley of spices, herbs and aromatics, they enable anyone to create restaurant-style Indian dishes with minimal effort. Choosing quality sauces and using them thoughtfully allows the flavors to shine through. So grab a jar of your favorite simmer sauce and treat your family or guests to some delicious Indian cuisine.