graeme,
I disagree its all about preparation.
If you have you base sauce ready in the fridge prepared a few days earlier, then its just a case of 10 minutes cooking to whip up a prawn madras.
As i am cooking I'll have a beer and put the rice on, its all sort of works out being ready at the same time, but hey for me cooking it is just as much fun as eating.
Enjoy ;D