Bobby Flay's Creamy Masala Sauce
This luscious, aromatic Masala sauce, inspired by Bobby Flay, combines the rich flavors of Indian spices with a creamy texture that makes it a versatile addition to your meals. Perfectly balanced with sweetness and heat, this sauce transforms traditional dishes like Chicken Tikka Masala or a simple Basmati Pilaf into an extraordinary culinary experience. The comforting blend of ghee, fresh ginger, chilies, and tomatoes creates a deep, savory base, while the addition of heavy cream adds a luxurious finish. Serve it over rice or use it as a base for your favorite proteins to bring the vibrant taste of Indian cuisine right to your kitchen.
N/A
Servings
220
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
ghee (or olive oil)
2 tablespoons (melted)
yellow onion
1 medium (halved and thinly sliced)
fresh ginger
2 inches (peeled and finely grated)
serrano chili
1 (finely diced (or use jalapeno for less heat))
garlic cloves
3 (finely chopped)
tomato paste
1 tablespoon (none)
smoked Spanish paprika
2 teaspoons (none)
garam masala
2 teaspoons (none)
plum tomatoes
28 ounces (pureed until smooth)
honey
to taste (none)
cayenne pepper
1/4-1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
water
1/2 cup (none)
salt
to taste (none)
black pepper
to taste (freshly ground)
heavy cream (or coconut milk)
3/4 cup (none)
cilantro leaves
for garnish (chopped)
Instructions
1
In a medium Dutch oven, heat the ghee (or olive oil) over medium heat until it begins to shimmer.
2
Add the sliced onion and sauté until soft and lightly golden brown, about 10 minutes.
3
Incorporate the freshly grated ginger, finely chopped serrano chili (or jalapeno), and garlic; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
4
Stir in the tomato paste, smoked paprika, and garam masala, cooking for an additional minute to activate the spices.
5
Pour in the smooth pureed tomatoes and add honey to taste. Mix in about 1/2 cup of water and cayenne pepper. Allow the mixture to simmer, stirring occasionally until slightly thickened, about 10-15 minutes.
6
Season the sauce with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Once thickened, lower the heat and gently stir in the heavy cream (or coconut milk). Bring back to a gentle simmer and cook for another 5-10 minutes until the sauce reaches your desired thickness.
7
At this stage, you can add cooked chicken or tofu to infuse your protein with the spices.
8
Serve your Masala sauce over basmati rice pilaf with peas or your favorite rice dish, garnished with freshly chopped cilantro leaves for a burst of color and flavor.
Nutrition Information
17g
Fat
11g
Carbs
2.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bobby Flay's Creamy Masala Sauce?
It is a luscious, aromatic sauce that combines rich Indian spices with a creamy texture, designed to be a versatile addition to various meals.
What are the primary ingredients in this masala sauce?
The main ingredients include ghee, yellow onion, fresh ginger, serrano chili, garlic, tomato paste, smoked Spanish paprika, garam masala, pureed plum tomatoes, honey, and heavy cream.
How many calories are in a serving of this sauce?
Each serving contains approximately 220 calories.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
Yes, you can substitute the ghee with olive oil and the heavy cream with coconut milk to make it vegan.
What is the fat content of this recipe?
The recipe contains 17g of fat per serving.
How much protein is in the sauce?
There are 2.5g of protein per serving.
How do I adjust the spiciness of the sauce?
You can use a jalapeno instead of a serrano chili for less heat, or adjust the amount of cayenne pepper used.
What type of onion should I use?
The recipe calls for one medium yellow onion, halved and thinly sliced.
How long does it take to sauté the onions?
The onions should be sautéed for about 10 minutes until they are soft and lightly golden brown.
What spices give the sauce its signature flavor?
Smoked Spanish paprika and garam masala provide the deep, aromatic base for the sauce.
How should the tomatoes be prepared?
The plum tomatoes should be pureed until they are completely smooth before adding them to the sauce.
Is there any sweetener in this recipe?
Yes, honey is added to taste to balance the heat and acidity of the tomatoes.
What is the carbohydrate count per serving?
The sauce contains 11g of carbohydrates per serving.
When do I add the heavy cream?
Stir in the heavy cream after the sauce has simmered and thickened, once you have lowered the heat.
How long should the sauce simmer after adding the cream?
It should be brought back to a gentle simmer and cooked for another 5 to 10 minutes.
Can I add protein directly to the sauce?
Yes, you can add cooked chicken or tofu to the sauce once it has thickened to infuse the protein with spices.
What is the best way to serve this masala sauce?
It is best served over basmati rice pilaf with peas or your favorite rice dish.
What garnish is recommended for this dish?
Freshly chopped cilantro leaves are recommended for a burst of color and flavor.
How much garlic is required?
The recipe requires 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped.
What is the purpose of adding water to the sauce?
About 1/2 cup of water is added to help the sauce simmer and reach the desired consistency without becoming too thick too quickly.
Can I use fresh ginger or should it be ground?
The recipe specifies using 2 inches of fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated.
What size Dutch oven is needed?
A medium-sized Dutch oven is appropriate for preparing this sauce.
How long do I cook the ginger and garlic?
Cook the ginger, chili, and garlic for about 1 minute until they become fragrant.
What is the role of tomato paste in the recipe?
The tomato paste is cooked briefly with the spices to activate them and deepen the sauce's flavor profile.
How much garam masala is used?
The recipe calls for 2 teaspoons of garam masala.
Can I substitute the serrano chili?
Yes, you can use a jalapeno if you prefer less heat.
Is the salt and pepper amount specific?
No, both salt and freshly ground black pepper should be added to taste.
What is the total simmering time before adding cream?
The mixture should simmer for about 10 to 15 minutes before the cream is added.
What provides the smoky flavor in this recipe?
The smoked Spanish paprika is the key ingredient that provides the smoky notes.
Is this recipe suitable for Chicken Tikka Masala?
Yes, it is specifically described as a perfect base for traditional dishes like Chicken Tikka Masala.