South Indian · serves 2

Baked Curry Rice

Layers of rice and coconut curry sealed in foil and baked. Opening it at the table is the point.

55 min A proper cook Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 2 cups long grain rice
  • 150g paneer, cubed
  • 1 cup peas, boiled
  • 1/4 tsp cumin seeds
  • 2 green chillies, chopped
  • 2 tbsp ghee
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 cup grated coconut
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 6 dried red chillies
  • 2 tsp coriander seeds
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 4 cardamoms
  • 1 inch ginger

Method

  1. Boil the rice and keep it slightly underdone — it finishes in the oven.
  2. Crackle cumin in ghee, add chillies, paneer, peas, salt and the rice. Fork it through and set aside.
  3. Grind garlic, red chillies, coriander seeds, cumin, coconut, cardamom and ginger to a paste.
  4. Fry the onion, add the paste, then coconut milk and grated coconut. Ten minutes on the lowest heat.
  5. On a big sheet of foil, layer rice, curry, rice — rice top and bottom. Fold the edges over and roll them shut.
  6. 200°C for 20 minutes. Cut it open in front of everyone.

Questions people ask about Baked Curry Rice

How long does Baked Curry Rice take?

About 55 minutes from starting to sitting down, and it is a proper cook. A good part of that is unattended, so you can get on with something else once it is going.

What can I use instead of rice in Baked Curry Rice?

Use any long-grain rice. Basmati needs less water than most, so check the packet before following the ratio here.

Can I make Baked Curry Rice ahead of time?

You can prepare it a few hours ahead and reheat gently. It keeps two days in the fridge, though it is best on the day.

Is Baked Curry Rice vegetarian?

Yes, it is vegetarian. It is not vegan as written because it contains dairy; swap the dairy for a plant alternative and the rest of the method is unchanged.

Do I need an oven for Baked Curry Rice?

Yes, this one needs an oven. If you do not have one, look at the no-oven filter on the baking page: eleven of the bakes here are built for a cooker, a pan or the fridge.

What do you serve with Baked Curry Rice?

Steamed rice with a spoon of ghee, and a papad if you have one. Baking is chemistry, so scale it by weight rather than by eye: double every quantity, use a tin with roughly double the area, and expect to add ten minutes or so. Judge it by the skewer, not the clock.

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