Masala Sauce
3/4 cup chopped onion
up to 1/4 cup ghee (clarified butter)
2 teaspoons cumin powder
2 teaspoons ground red chile (not chili powder)
2 teaspoons ground coriander
3 1/2 tablespoons ginger paste (available in Indian markets)
3 1/2 tablespoons garlic paste (available in Indian markets)
2 teaspoons red chile paste (available in Indian markets)
3 1/2 tablespoons cashew paste (available in Indian markets, or nut butter of your choice)
3/4 cup tomato pur�e
Saut� the onions in 2 tablespoons of the clarified butter over medium-low heat until light golden brown. Add cumin, ground red chile, and coriander and mix it thoroughly. At any point, you may add more clarified butter if the sauce becomes too thick, but be cautious, because this recipe can easily become extremely rich.
Add the ginger paste and garlic paste and cook for a few minutes. Add the red chile paste and cook for a few additional minutes, then the cashew paste and tomato pur�e. Cook over low heat, stirring, until thick. Set aside or refrigerate until ready to add chicken.