Olivia Carter
If you’re a fan of the spicy and tangy flavors of tandoori prawns, but you don’t have access to a tandoor oven, don’t worry! You can still enjoy deliciously cooked tandoori prawns by using a slow cooker. The slow cooker allows the prawns to cook slowly and infuse with all the flavors, resulting in tender and juicy prawns that are packed with aromatic spices.
Tandoori prawns are a popular dish in Indian cuisine and are typically marinated in a mixture of yogurt, spices, and lemon juice. The marinated prawns are then traditionally cooked in a tandoor oven, which gives them their signature smoky and charred flavor. However, with a slow cooker, you can achieve similar results without the need for a tandoor.
To cook tandoori prawns in a slow cooker, start by marinating the prawns in a mixture of yogurt, tandoori masala, ginger, garlic, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Make sure to coat the prawns evenly and let them marinate for at least an hour to allow the flavors to develop. Then, transfer the marinated prawns to the slow cooker and cook on low heat for about 2-3 hours, or until the prawns are cooked through.
The slow cooker will gently cook the prawns, allowing them to absorb all the flavors from the marinade. The low and slow cooking process will ensure that the prawns are cooked to perfection, with a tender and succulent texture. Once cooked, you can serve the tandoori prawns with naan bread, basmati rice, and a side of mint chutney for a complete and satisfying meal.
So, if you’re craving the delicious flavors of tandoori prawns but don’t have access to a tandoor oven, give the slow cooker a try. You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to recreate this classic Indian dish at home. Enjoy the mouthwatering flavors of tender tandoori prawns, right from your own kitchen!
Step-by-Step Guide to Cooking Tandoori Prawns in a Slow Cooker
Tandoori prawns are a flavourful and delicious dish that can be easily cooked in a slow cooker. This method involves marinating the prawns in a mixture of spices and yoghurt, and then slow cooking them until they are tender and juicy. Here is a step-by-step guide to cooking tandoori prawns in a slow cooker:
Step 1: Prepare the Prawns
Start by cleaning and deveining the prawns. You can use fresh or frozen prawns for this recipe. Make sure to remove the shells and tails, leaving only the succulent prawn meat. Rinse the prawns under cold water and pat them dry using a paper towel.
Step 2: Prepare the Marinade
In a mixing bowl, combine yoghurt, lemon juice, ginger-garlic paste, turmeric powder, red chili powder, garam masala, and salt. Mix well until all the ingredients are fully incorporated. This marinade will give the prawns the traditional tandoori flavour.
Step 3: Marinate the Prawns
Add the prawns to the marinade and coat them evenly. Make sure all the prawns are well-covered in the marinade mixture. Place the prawns in a container or a zipper-lock bag and refrigerate them for at least 2 hours. This will allow the prawns to absorb the flavours of the marinade.
Step 4: Preheat the Slow Cooker
Before cooking the prawns, preheat the slow cooker on low heat for about 15-20 minutes. This will ensure even cooking throughout the dish.
Step 5: Cook the Prawns
Once the slow cooker is preheated, transfer the marinated prawns to the slow cooker. Spread them out in a single layer to ensure even cooking. Cook the prawns on low heat for 2-3 hours or until they are cooked through and tender.
Step 6: Serve and Garnish
Once the prawns are cooked, remove them from the slow cooker and serve them hot. You can garnish the prawns with fresh coriander leaves and a squeeze of lemon juice for added flavour.
Enjoy your delicious and flavourful tandoori prawns, made effortlessly in a slow cooker!
Ingredients for Tandoori Prawns
To make delicious Tandoori Prawns in a slow cooker, gather the following ingredients:
- 1 pound of raw prawns, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup of plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons of Tandoori masala
- 1 tablespoon of ginger-garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon of cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon of coriander powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of red chili powder
- Salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- Chopped coriander leaves for garnish
- Lemon wedges for serving
These ingredients will give the prawns a bold and flavorful taste.
Preparing the Prawns for Tandoori Cooking
Before you start cooking tandoori prawns in a slow cooker, it’s important to properly prepare the prawns. Here are the steps you need to follow:
1. Choose fresh prawns: Look for fresh, large-sized prawns at your local seafood market or grocery store. Opt for the ones that are deveined and shelled to make the cooking process easier.
2. Marinate the prawns: In a bowl, combine yogurt, lemon juice, tandoori spice mix, minced garlic, ginger paste, and salt. Mix well to form a smooth marinade. Add the prawns to the marinade, ensuring they are well coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate the prawns.
3. Preheat the slow cooker: While the prawns are marinating, preheat your slow cooker on low heat. This will ensure that the prawns cook evenly and retain their tenderness.
4. Skewer the prawns: After marinating, remove the prawns from the bowl and thread them onto skewers. Make sure to leave a small gap between each prawn to ensure even cooking. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 20 minutes beforehand to prevent burning.
5. Cook the prawns: Place the skewered prawns in the preheated slow cooker, making sure they are not overcrowded. Cover the slow cooker with a lid and cook on low heat for 2-3 hours, or until the prawns are cooked through and tender.
6. Baste the prawns: Every 30 minutes, open the slow cooker and baste the prawns with any remaining marinade. This will help to infuse more flavor and keep the prawns moist during cooking.
7. Serve hot: Once the prawns are cooked, remove them from the slow cooker and serve them hot. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and lemon wedges for added freshness.
By following these steps, you will be able to properly prepare the prawns for tandoori cooking in a slow cooker, resulting in delicious and flavorful prawn dishes.
Marinating the Prawns for Intense Flavour
Marinating tandoori prawns is the key to infusing them with intense flavour. The marinade penetrates the prawns and tenderizes them, making them melt in your mouth with every bite. Here’s how you can marinate your prawns for an incredible burst of taste:
Ingredients:
- 500 grams of prawns, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt
- 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons of tandoori masala
- 1 teaspoon of ginger paste
- 1 teaspoon of garlic paste
- 1/2 teaspoon of red chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder
- Salt to taste
- Fresh coriander leaves, chopped (for garnish)
Note: You can adjust the spice levels according to your preference by increasing or decreasing the amount of red chili powder.
Instructions:
- In a bowl, combine the yogurt, lemon juice, tandoori masala, ginger paste, garlic paste, red chili powder, turmeric powder, and salt. Mix well to form a smooth marinade.
- Add the prawns to the marinade, ensuring that each prawn is coated evenly. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, allowing the flavours to meld together.
- After marinating, remove the prawns from the refrigerator and let them come to room temperature.
- Thread the prawns onto skewers, leaving a little space between each prawn. This will ensure even cooking.
- Preheat your slow cooker. If your slow cooker has a “saute” function, heat it to medium-high heat. Otherwise, preheat it on the highest temperature setting.
- Place the skewered prawns in the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 2-3 hours or until the prawns are cooked through.
- Once cooked, remove the prawns from the slow cooker and garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves.
Now that you have marinated your prawns to perfection, they are ready to be cooked in the slow cooker. The marination process not only adds incredible flavour, but also helps to tenderize the prawns, resulting in a more succulent and enjoyable dish. Enjoy your tandoori prawns straight from the slow cooker or serve them with rice or naan for a complete and satisfying meal.
Slow Cooking the Tandoori Prawns to Perfection
When it comes to cooking tandoori prawns, using a slow cooker is the key to achieving tender and flavorful results. The gentle heat and extended cooking time allow the spices to infuse into the prawns, creating a mouthwatering dish that will impress your family and friends.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to slow cooking tandoori prawns:
1. Marinating the Prawns:
Start by marinating the prawns in a mixture of yogurt, lemon juice, ginger-garlic paste, tandoori masala, garam masala, red chili powder, and salt. The yogurt not only adds a tangy flavor but also helps tenderize the prawns.
2. Preparing the Slow Cooker:
Grease the inside of the slow cooker with a little oil or cooking spray to prevent the prawns from sticking. This step is essential to ensure easy cleaning later.
3. Layering the Prawns:
Place the marinated prawns in a single layer in the slow cooker. Avoid overcrowding the prawns as this can hinder the cooking process. A single layer ensures that each prawn cooks evenly and absorbs the flavors of the marinade.
4. Covering and Cooking:
Put the lid on the slow cooker and set it to the low heat setting. Let the prawns cook for about 2 to 3 hours, depending on the size of the prawns and your desired level of tenderness. Slow cooking allows the prawns to become perfectly cooked without becoming tough or rubbery.
5. Garnishing and Serving:
Once the prawns are cooked to perfection, remove them from the slow cooker and garnish with fresh coriander leaves. Serve the tandoori prawns hot with naan bread or steamed rice for a complete and satisfying meal.
With the slow cooker method, you can easily prepare tandoori prawns without much hassle. The long and slow cooking process ensures that the prawns are succulent, tender, and bursting with flavors. Impress your guests with this delicious and easy slow cooker tandoori prawn recipe!
Serving and Enjoying the Tandoori Prawns
Once the tandoori prawns are cooked to perfection in the slow cooker, it’s time to serve and enjoy this delicious dish. Here are some tips on how to make the most of your tandoori prawn creation:
1. Garnish: Before serving, garnish the tandoori prawns with fresh coriander leaves and a squeeze of lemon juice. This will enhance the flavors and add a burst of freshness to the dish.
2. Accompaniments: Tandoori prawns are best enjoyed with some cooling accompaniments. Serve them with mint raita or cucumber yogurt dip on the side. These will complement the spicy flavors of the tandoori prawns and provide a refreshing contrast to the dish.
3. Bread or Rice: Tandoori prawns can be served with various Indian bread options like naan or roti. These breads can be used to scoop up the prawns and enjoy them together. Alternatively, you can serve the tandoori prawns with steamed basmati rice for a more substantial meal.
4. Fresh Salad: A side salad made with thinly sliced onions, cucumbers, and tomatoes can add a delightful crunch to the meal. It can also provide a refreshing balance to the smoky and spicy flavors of the tandoori prawns.
5. Presentation: For an elegant presentation, serve the tandoori prawns on a bed of thinly sliced onions and sprinkle some chaat masala on top. This will give a final touch of flavor and visual appeal to the dish.
6. Enjoy: Once everything is set, gather your family or friends around and enjoy the tandoori prawns while they are still hot and flavorful. Don’t forget to savor the aroma and the explosion of flavors as you take each bite. It’s a dish meant to be savored and enjoyed!
With these serving tips, you can make your tandoori prawns experience even more enjoyable. So go ahead, get cooking, and impress your loved ones with this delicious and exotic dish!
Questions and answers
Can I cook tandoori prawns in a slow cooker?
Yes, you can cook tandoori prawns in a slow cooker. It is a convenient and easy way to prepare this delicious dish. The slow cooker will help to infuse the prawns with the rich flavors of the tandoori marinade.
How long does it take to cook tandoori prawns in a slow cooker?
Cooking time may vary depending on your slow cooker, but generally, it takes about 2-3 hours on high heat or 4-6 hours on low heat to cook tandoori prawns in a slow cooker. It is important to check the prawns for doneness before serving.
