KING PRAWN MASALA

Serves 1
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Directions

  1. 1(Optional) For prawn stock, fry your prawn heads and shells in a little oil with a pinch of the whole spices you are also using for the spice mix.
  2. 2Cover with water, simmer for 20 mins, crush with the back of a spoon, then strain.
  3. 3For the spice mix, gently toast the spices in a dry pan until fragrant, cool, then grind to a rough powder.
  4. 4Pound or blitz the ginger and garlic to a paste (with a little water if necessary).
  5. 5Add 1 tsp of ginger / garlic paste to the raw prawns with 1/4 tsp each of turmeric and chilli powder.
  6. 6Mix well and set aside at room temperature.
  7. 7Heat the oil in a saute pan over medium-high heat and add the cinnamon stick and 1/4 tsp each fennel and cumin seeds.
  8. 8Add curry leaves (they will splutter), shortly followed by the onion and a good pinch of salt.
  9. 9Cook, stirring frequently, until onions are lightly browned.
  10. 10Turn heat down a little and add ginger / garlic paste and coriander stalks.
  11. 11After 1 min, add the ground spices.
  12. 12After 20 seconds, add the tomato.
  13. 13Add prawn stock (if using).
  14. 14Reduce until the rawness of the tomatoes has gone and some sweetness has developed.
  15. 15Check it’s salty enough.
  16. 16Turn the heat down and add prawns and green chillies.
  17. 17Cook gently until the prawns are just cooked through.
  18. 18Finish with chopped coriander leaves and lemon juice (add more lemon if you feel it needs it - it can take it!).
  19. 19Serve with plain rice, yoghurt, chutney and frozen parathas!

Ingredients

  • 10 -12 king prawns, shelled and deveined
  • 100 ml neutral oil
  • 1.5 tbsp coriander stalks, finely chopped
  • 0.5 tsp turmeric
  • 1 tsp chilli powder
  • 1.5 tsp spice mix
  • 2 hot green chillies, split or chopped
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, peeled
  • 1 fat thumb ginger, peeled
  • 0.5 cinnamon stick
  • 2 large tomatoes, blitzed to a pulp
  • 15 fresh curry leaves
  • 0.5 half a lemon lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp chopped coriander leaves
  • 8 cardamom pods
  • 2 tsp coriander seed
  • 1 tsp fennel seed
  • 1 tsp cumin seed
  • 1 tsp black peppercorn
  • 1 tsp ginger / garlic paste
  • 0.25 tsp turmeric
  • 0.25 tsp chilli powder
  • 0.25 tsp fennel seeds
  • 0.25 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1 good pinch salt

Equipment

saute pandry pangrinder

Tips

  • To make prawn stock, fry prawn heads and shells in a little oil with whole spices, cover with water, simmer for 20 minutes, crush, then strain.
  • Gently toast spices for the mix in a dry pan until fragrant, cool, then grind to a rough powder.
  • Pound or blitz ginger and garlic to a paste, adding a little water if necessary.