Homemade Curry Paste

Step 1: Place all the whole spices into a coffee grinder or mortar and pestle and grind to a fine powder.

Step 2: Spoon into a bowl and add remaining ground spices.

Step 3: Mix all the ground spices with the vinegar and add 5 tbsp water to form a thin paste.

Step 4: Heat the oil in a large heavy-based frying pan over slightly lower than medium heat and stir-fry the spice paste for 10 minutes stirring constantly with a wooden spoon so that it does not adhere to the bottom of the pan.

Step 5: If you find that the pan is too hot, reduce heat to medium low and continue cooking until all water is absorbed and oil rises to the surface.

Step 6: Allow to cool slightly before spooning into sterilized jars.

Step 7: Store in refrigerator.

Step 8: ***Once the curry paste has been cooked, heat a wee bit more oil and pour on top of the paste in the jar. This will help to preserve the paste and prevent any mould from forming.