Description
Delightful creamy prawn curry brings Indian coastal flavors to your kitchen with rich, spiced sauce. Succulent prawns nestled in aromatic coconut gravy promise a memorable dining experience you’ll savor until the last delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (500 g) prawns (peeled & deveined, tails optional)
- 1 cup coconut milk or heavy cream (for creaminess)
- 2 tbsps oil or butter
- 1 small onion (finely chopped)
- 1 small tomato (pureed or finely chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1-inch ginger (grated)
- ½ cup water or seafood broth (adjust for consistency)
- 1 tbsp tomato paste (for depth of flavor, optional)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Fresh coriander (cilantro), chopped
- Squeeze of lime juice
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- ½ tsp turmeric powder
- ½ tsp chili powder (adjust for spice level)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp sugar (optional, balances acidity)
- Red chili flakes (optional, for extra spice)
Instructions
- Marination: Massage prawns with salt, turmeric, black pepper, and lemon juice, ensuring comprehensive coating. Allow 10-15 minutes for flavor absorption.
- Aromatics Preparation: Melt ghee in a heavy pan, sauté onions until golden and translucent. Incorporate minced garlic, ginger, and green chilies, stirring continuously to prevent burning.
- Spice Infusion: Sprinkle ground coriander, cumin, and garam masala into the pan, toasting briefly to release their aromatic essence and create a flavor-rich foundation.
- Curry Development: Stream coconut milk into the spiced base, creating a smooth, creamy liquid. Gently introduce marinated prawns, cooking until they transform from translucent to opaque with delicate curled edges.
- Finishing Touches: Remove from heat, garnish with fresh cilantro and a vibrant lime squeeze. Plate alongside steamed basmati rice or warm naan bread to complement the curry’s complex flavor profile.
Notes
- Marinate Mindfully: Ensure prawns are evenly coated with spices and lemon juice, allowing 10-15 minutes for maximum flavor absorption without oversaturating.
- Control Spice Temperature: Sauté aromatics and spices gently over medium heat to prevent burning, which can create bitter undertones and compromise the curry’s delicate balance.
- Timing is Crucial: Cook prawns just until they turn opaque and slightly curled, typically 3-4 minutes, to maintain tender, succulent texture and prevent rubbery consistency.
- Dairy-Free Adaptation: Swap coconut milk with cashew cream or almond milk for a lighter version, maintaining the curry’s creamy essence while catering to different dietary preferences.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 200 mg