Olivia Carter
Cooking prawn curry in a rice cooker may sound unconventional, but it is a convenient and delicious way to prepare this flavorful dish. The rice cooker allows you to cook the prawns and the curry sauce together, infusing the flavors and ensuring a perfectly cooked meal every time.
To make prawn curry in a rice cooker, you will need a few basic ingredients such as prawns, curry paste, coconut milk, and spices. The rice cooker will serve as your all-in-one cooking vessel, making the preparation and cleanup a breeze.
Why use a rice cooker?
Using a rice cooker for prawn curry has several advantages. First, it simplifies the cooking process by eliminating the need for multiple pots and pans. You can sauté the onions and spices directly in the rice cooker, add the prawns and curry paste, and then let it cook on the appropriate setting. This not only saves time but also minimizes the number of dishes to wash afterwards.
Preparing the Ingredients
Before you begin cooking prawn curry in a rice cooker, it’s important to gather and prepare all the necessary ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients:
| 500 grams of prawns |
| 1 onion, finely chopped |
| 2 tomatoes, diced |
| 3 cloves of garlic, minced |
| 1-inch piece of ginger, grated |
| 2 green chilies, slit lengthwise |
| 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder |
| 1 teaspoon red chili powder |
| 1 teaspoon coriander powder |
| 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder |
| 1/2 teaspoon garam masala |
| 1/4 cup coconut milk |
| 2 tablespoons oil |
| Fresh coriander leaves, for garnish |
| Salt, to taste |
Make sure the prawns are cleaned, deveined, and patted dry before cooking. Finely chop the onion, dice the tomatoes, mince the garlic, and grate the ginger to have them ready for use. Slit the green chilies lengthwise. Measure out and keep the required spices handy.
Once you have all the ingredients prepared and organized, you’re ready to start cooking the prawn curry in the rice cooker.
Cooking the Rice
To cook the rice for your prawn curry in a rice cooker, start by measuring out the desired amount of rice. Typically, a ratio of 1 cup of rice to 2 cups of water works well, but be sure to check the instructions on your rice cooker for any specific recommendations.
Step 1: Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. This helps remove any excess starch and prevents the rice from becoming sticky.
Step 2: Place the rinsed rice in the rice cooker pot and add the appropriate amount of water. Give it a gentle stir to ensure even cooking.
Step 3: Close the rice cooker lid and plug it in. Set the cooking mode to “rice” or follow the specific instructions for your rice cooker model if available.
Step 4: Allow the rice to cook according to the rice cooker’s instructions. It typically takes around 15-20 minutes for white rice to cook, but this can vary depending on the type of rice and the specific rice cooker model.
Step 5: Once the rice cooker has completed the cooking cycle, let the rice sit in the cooker for a few minutes to steam and finish cooking.
Tips:
1. Resist the temptation to open the rice cooker lid during the cooking process, as this can disrupt the cooking and result in unevenly cooked rice.
2. If you prefer your rice to have a slightly firmer texture, reduce the amount of water slightly. On the other hand, if you prefer a softer, stickier rice, add a bit more water.
Making the Curry Sauce
To make the delicious curry sauce for your prawn curry, you will need the following ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1-inch piece of ginger, grated
- 2 teaspoons of curry powder
- 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon of ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon of paprika
- 1 can of coconut milk
- 1 cup of water
- Salt, to taste
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish (optional)
Now that you have gathered all the ingredients, follow these steps to make the curry sauce:
- Heat the vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion to the pan and sauté until it becomes translucent.
- Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the pan. Sauté for a few more minutes until fragrant.
- Add the curry powder, ground cumin, ground coriander, turmeric powder, and paprika to the pan. Stir well to combine all the spices with the aromatics.
- Pour in the can of coconut milk and water, stirring continuously to create a smooth sauce.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer and let it cook for about 10 minutes, allowing all the flavors to meld together.
- Taste the sauce and add salt as needed.
- If desired, garnish the curry sauce with fresh cilantro before serving.
The curry sauce is now ready to be combined with the cooked prawns and served over rice.
Combining the Rice and Curry
Once the curry has cooked for the desired time, you can begin to prepare the rice. Measure out the desired amount of rice and rinse it thoroughly under cold water to remove any excess starch. This will help prevent the rice from becoming too sticky.
Add the rinsed rice to the rice cooker along with the appropriate amount of water. The general rule of thumb is to use a 1:2 ratio of rice to water, but check the instructions for your specific rice cooker as the measurements may vary.
Close the rice cooker lid and turn it on. The rice cooker will automatically switch to the “cook” mode and will turn off once the rice is cooked. This usually takes around 15-20 minutes, but can vary depending on the type of rice and your specific rice cooker.
Once the rice is cooked, remove the lid of the rice cooker and give the rice a gentle stir with a fork to fluff it up. Then, portion out the desired amount of rice onto serving plates or bowls.
Next, carefully spoon the prawn curry over the cooked rice, making sure to distribute the prawns and sauce evenly. Sprinkle some freshly chopped coriander leaves on top for added flavor and garnish.
Variations and Serving Suggestions
If you want to add more vegetables to your prawn curry, you can sauté some diced onion, bell peppers, or peas and mix them into the curry before serving. This will provide more texture and color to the dish.
For a complete meal, serve the prawn curry and rice with some naan bread or roti on the side. You can also add a cucumber raita or a mixed green salad to complement the flavors of the curry.
FAQ
What ingredients do I need to cook prawn curry in a rice cooker?
You will need prawns, onions, tomatoes, garlic, ginger, curry powder, turmeric powder, chilli powder, coconut milk, salt, and oil.
Can I use frozen prawns to cook prawn curry in a rice cooker?
Yes, you can use frozen prawns. Just make sure to thaw them before adding to the rice cooker.
