Slow Cooker Curry - Top Tips

Here are our top tips for getting the most from your slow cooker, with very little effort:

• Add all of the ingredients needed for your sauce first (Rafi’s Curry Pack, water, coconut, tomatoes etc.), but be sure to only add 200ml water rather than 300ml. The liquid in a slow cooker doesn’t reduce the same as on the hob, so this can result in a thinner sauce.
• If using creamed coconut, cut this into small cubes before adding to the pot. This can be prepared the night before (no need to refrigerate).
• Heat the sauce on high whilst preparing your other ingredients.
• If adding root vegetables to your curry, prepare and add to the bottom of the pot first.
• If you are using meat, cheap cuts are best, as anything lean will dry out. Trim the fat off the meat, and make sure the meat pieces are small and equal sized. Although a lot of flavour comes from the fat, the long cooking process intensifies the meaty flavour so you won’t miss it! Add the meat into the now warm slow cooker until the liquid just covers the meat and veg.
• If you have a little time on your hands, cover the meat in flour and then brown it in a frying pan before adding it to the sauce, as this will add an extra depth of flavour. The flour will also help to thicken the sauce.
• Your curry can cook all day on the low setting and, in the evening, you will have a warm meal ready and waiting! Check the seasoning before dishing up, adding salt, sugar or vinegar as appropriate, and as always, garnish with fresh herbs (coriander or mint), to cut through the rich flavours.

Some things to remember:

• Don’t stir the pot! It will be just fine without stirring and lifting the lid can lengthen the cooking time by up to 40 minutes.
• Don’t overfill your slow cooker. Ideally it will be between a half and two thirds full to allow for even cooking.