The Best Rice Variants to go with any Kind of Curry

Whether you like your curry Durban-style hot, South Indian authentic or African exotic with chilies and peanuts, having a tasty complementing side dish can massively enhance your dining experience. With wintery weather fast approaching, we’ve put together the ultimate list of rice variants to pair with your family’s favourite curry.

Add this to your pantry:

Spekko Royal Umbrella Jasmine Rice

This is a fragrant, world-class rice, originally from Thailand, perfectly paired with any Thai inspired curries. The sticky texture and taste of this rice is enjoyed across the globe, so much so that it’s been voted the best rice in the world.

Spekko India Gate Basmati Rice

Aged like a fine wine and grown in the Himalayas, the unique texture and taste of this basmati rice complements any curry.

Spekko Saman White Rice

A familiar favourite throughout Africa, white rice is considered a dinner time staple and is enjoy with flavoursome mild and spicy African curries, especially the Cape Malay variety.

Spekko Saman Brown Rice

Popular among the health conscious, Spekko Saman brown rice may take a little longer to cook due to still retaining its nutritious inner brown bran layer. It’s rich in vitamin B and pairs well as a protein source for vegan and vegetarian curries.

Spekko Long Grain Parboiled Rice

This easy-to-prepare rice is the best-selling variant of rice in South Africa and is known as the everyday or pantry rice. Pair it with any saucy curry.

Are you ready to cook but not sure where to start?

We have an archive filled with lip-smacking recipes from some of the best chefs and cooks alive. In our recipe archive you’ll find Ma Dorah’s East African fish curry; Deena Naidoo’s Prawn curry that won him the title of South Africa’s first MasterChef; Chef Zara Karmali’s range of vegetarian South Indian curries; Kwa Mashu chef Siwe Hlope’s tripe curries; and a host of other top foodies’ recipes.

What you need to have in your pantry to make a curry, is this year’s “trend-setting spice” – turmeric; some cumin; coriander; a couple of dried chilies; some garlic and some fresh ginger. Depending on your “roots”, some cinnamon, green bananas, garam masala, curry leaves, fresh coriander and nigella seeds will enhance your flavor layers.

You may not know your jalfrezi’s from you Madras curry, or the difference between a Balti and a Thai green curry – but with the help of our extensive recipe archive.