Blockbuster Prawns

Last two days was pretty frenzied so could not really produce anything spectacular in the kitchen. We did ok with simple dal - rice routine but today being Saturday something special had to be done. Husband was already looking forward to some sumptuous food and what better and easier than cooking a prawn dish. I decided to go back to a basic dish which uses minimalist ingredients but tastes simply WOW. Presenting here the recipe of the classic " Chingri Malai Curry " - my way!!

Ingredients :

Medium sized prawns  - 500 gms ( shelled and deveined )

Onion juice - 1 cup ( now this is nothing fancy, just grind 2 large onions in the mixie and strain the juice through a sieve )

Ginger paste - 1 tbsp

Whole garam masala - 2 each of cardamom,cloves and a stick of cinnamon

Bay leaves - 2 nos

Coconut milk - half cup ( i used the ready made tetra pack ones )

Turmeric - 1tsp

Kashmiri red chilli powder - 1 tsp

Ghee - 2 tbsp

Sugar - 1 tsp

Salt  - to taste

Green chillies - 4-5 for garnishing

Method :

Wash and clean the prawns. Marinate with salt and turmeric and saute in refined oil. Keep aside.

In a pan, add the ghee, then add the bay leaves and the whole garam masala. Once they splutter add the onion juice and the ginger paste.

Let this cook for 10- 12 mins, till the water of the juice dries up. Next add the turmeric powder, kashmiri red chilli powder, sugar and salt. Mix well and cook for another 5 mins or until the masala starts leaving oil on the sides.

Add half a cup of warm water so that it prevents the masala from burning.Once the gravy starts simmering add the coconut milk ( pls keep stirring while u add this to prevent curdling ) and cook for 2 mins.

Next add the sauteed prawns . Mix well, cook for 2 more mins and remove from heat.Garnish with slit green chillies and serve hot  with plain rice - simply yummy!