Dried Prawns Masala

Ingredients:

• To marinate and fry the prawns.
• 3 tablespoons of oil
• 1 tablespoon of garlic(about 3 cloves of garlic minced
• 1 tablespoon of ginger(about 1" piece of ginger minced)
• 1/2 teaspoon of cumin powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of coriander powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon of red chilli powder
• 1 teaspoon of lime juice
• Salt to season
• 1/2 teaspoon of pepper

To make the masala

• 1 tablespoon of oil
• 1 medium-sliced onion
• 1 teaspoon of ginger garlic paste
• 2 tablespoons of tomato paste
• 1/4 cup of water
• 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon of cumin powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of coriander powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of red chilli powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of garam masala
• 1/2 cup of coriander leaves to garnish(optional)

Method:

1. Clean, devein and wash the prawns(shrimp).
2. Pat dry the prawns and place them in a bowl.
3. Add oil(3 tbsp), garlic(3 cloves minced), ginger(1″ minced), lime(1 tsp), cumin powder(1/2 tsp), coriander powder(1/2 tsp), turmeric(1/2 tsp) and red chilli powder(1 tsp). Season with salt and pepper(1/2 tsp).
4. Combine all of the above ingredients with the prawns and let them marinate for 10 to 15 minutes.
5. Once the prawns are marinated, saute the prawns over medium fire for 2 minutes, transfer them to a bowl and set aside.
6. Place a frying pan over a low-medium fire and pour in the oil(1 tbsp).
7. Saute the chopped onions(1 medium sliced), ginger and garlic paste(1 tsp), and green chillies (optional ingredient).
8. Saute until the onions turn translucent and slightly brown.
9. Add tomato paste(3 tbsp) to the cooked onions.
10. Cook over low fire for 60 seconds and pour water(1/4 cup).
11. Cook until oil separates and you have a thick tomato-onion paste.
12. Add turmeric(1/4 tsp), cumin seeds(1/2 tsp), coriander powder (1/2 tsp), red chilli powder(1/2 tsp) and garam masala(1/2 tsp).
13. Cook over low-medium heat for 2 minutes. Stir to avoid the spices burning.
14. Once you have the dry prawn masala made, add the prawns into the pan.
15. Add a further 1/4 cup of water and cook the prawns with the masala paste. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
16. Should the prawn masala have an overpowering sour taste from the tomato paste, balance it off with a tablespoon of sugar.
17. Reduce heat and cook for 5-7 minutes or until you have the spice paste coating the prawns.
18. Garnish with chopped coriander(1/2 cup(optional)) and a few slices of lime or lemon wedges.