If you're looking for a quick and easy midweek meal that's packed with flavour, prawn curry is the perfect choice.
This classic Indian dish is simple to prepare and can be made with a variety of different ingredients, depending on your taste preferences.
Whether you prefer a spicy, tangy curry or something more mild and creamy, there's a prawn curry recipe out there to suit your needs.
To make prawn curry, you'll need a few key ingredients, including prawns, onions, garlic, ginger, tomatoes, and a variety of spices.
The exact recipe will vary depending on the type of curry you're making, but most prawn curry recipes involve sautéing the onions, garlic, and ginger in oil before adding the tomatoes and spices.
The prawns are then added to the mixture and cooked until they're pink and tender.
Once your prawn curry is ready, it can be served with rice, naan bread, or any other accompaniment of your choice.
Leftovers can also be stored in the fridge or freezer for later use.
Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner in the kitchen, prawn curry is a delicious and satisfying dish that's sure to impress.
Key Takeaways
- Prawn curry is a quick and easy midweek meal that's perfect for busy nights.
- The key ingredients for prawn curry include prawns, onions, garlic, ginger, tomatoes, and spices.
- Prawn curry can be served with rice, naan bread, or any other accompaniment of your choice.
Ingredients and Preparation
Selecting Prawns
When making prawn curry, it is important to choose fresh and high-quality prawns.
You can use either fresh or frozen prawns, depending on your preference.
If you are using fresh prawns, make sure they are deveined and cleaned properly.
You can also use tiger prawns for a more flavourful dish.
Essential Spices and Herbs
Spices and herbs are essential to making a delicious prawn curry.
Some of the key spices include garam masala, turmeric, cumin, coriander, chilli powder, black pepper and ground turmeric.
You can also use fresh ginger, garlic, onion, and tomatoes to add more flavour to your dish.
Additional Ingredients
Apart from the essential spices and herbs, you can also add other ingredients to your prawn curry to enhance its taste.
Coconut milk is a popular ingredient that gives the curry a creamy texture and a slightly sweet flavour.
You can also use coconut oil instead of olive oil for a more authentic taste.
Tamarind, lime, and yogurt are also great ingredients to add tanginess to your curry.
To prepare the prawn curry, start by heating the oil in a pan and adding mustard seeds.
Once the seeds start to splutter, add chopped onions and fry until they turn golden brown.
Then add ginger-garlic paste and fry for a few more minutes.
Next, add chopped tomatoes, salt, and turmeric powder and cook until the tomatoes are soft and mushy.
Add the prawns to the pan and cook until they turn pink.
Then add the garam masala, coriander powder, chilli powder, and grated coconut and cook for a few more minutes.
Finally, add the coconut milk and let the curry simmer for a few minutes.
Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with rice or bread.
When shopping for ingredients, you can find most of them at your local supermarkets.
If you want to make a simple prawn curry, you can use passata instead of fresh tomatoes and skip some of the spices.
However, if you want to make a more authentic Goan prawn curry, you will need to use a blender to make a paste of the spices and herbs.
You can also add spinach to the curry for a healthier version.
Cooking and Serving
The Cooking Process
Cooking prawn curry is a simple and easy process that can be done in a few steps.
First, you need to prepare the prawns by cleaning and deveining them.
You can use either fresh or frozen prawns for this recipe. If you are using frozen prawns, make sure to defrost them before cooking.
Next, heat some sunflower oil in a skillet and add coriander seeds. Fry them for a few seconds until they start to sizzle.
Then, add chopped onions and fry until they turn golden brown. Add minced garlic and ginger and fry for another minute.
Next, add the prawns to the skillet and fry for a few minutes until they turn pink.
Add tomato paste, garam masala, turmeric, and chicken broth. Mix well and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes until the gravy thickens.
Serving Suggestions
Prawn curry is best served with fluffy basmati rice or steamed rice.
You can also serve it with chapati or naan bread.
To add some sweetness to the dish, you can serve it with mango chutney.
To enhance the flavour of the dish, you can add a dollop of ghee to the rice.
You can also garnish the dish with fresh coriander leaves and a squeeze of lime juice.
If you have any leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To reheat, simply microwave the curry for a few minutes or heat it up in a pan on the stove.
If you want to freeze the curry, make sure to let it cool down to room temperature before storing it in a freezer-safe container.
It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To reheat, let it thaw overnight in the fridge and then reheat it in a pan on the stove.
Making homemade coconut milk can also enhance the flavour of the dish.
Simply blend fresh coconut meat with water and strain it through a cheesecloth.
You can use this homemade coconut milk instead of store-bought coconut milk in the recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best way to keep prawns soft when cooking them in a curry?
To keep prawns soft when cooking them in a curry, it's important not to overcook them.
Prawns cook quickly and can become tough and rubbery if left in the curry for too long.
It's best to add the prawns towards the end of the cooking process and cook them until they turn pink and opaque.
This should only take a few minutes, so keep an eye on them and remove them from the heat as soon as they're cooked.
Can you recommend a good coconut milk-based prawn curry recipe?
It only uses six ingredients and can be ready in less than 20 minutes. It's perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.
How long is it safe to store homemade prawn curry in the fridge?
Homemade prawn curry can be stored in the fridge for up to three days.
Make sure to store it in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge as soon as it cools down.
When reheating, make sure to heat it thoroughly until it's piping hot before serving.
What are some popular variations of prawn curry from different regions?
Prawn curry is a popular dish in many different regions and cultures.
Some popular variations include Thai red prawn curry, Indian king prawn curry, Malaysian prawn curry, and Sri Lankan prawn curry.
Each variation has its own unique blend of spices and flavourings.
Is it possible to make a prawn curry that's both healthy and delicious?
Yes, it's definitely possible to make a prawn curry that's both healthy and delicious.
To make a healthy prawn curry, use fresh ingredients and avoid using too much oil or coconut milk.
You can also add plenty of vegetables to your curry to make it more nutritious.
To make it delicious, use a blend of spices and herbs that complement the prawns.
Could you give tips on making a prawn curry with a proper Indian spice blend?
To make a prawn curry with a proper Indian spice blend, you'll need to use a combination of spices such as cumin, coriander, turmeric, and garam masala.
You can also add other spices such as chilli powder, cinnamon, and cloves to add more depth of flavour.
It's important to toast the spices in a dry pan before adding them to the curry to release their full flavour.
You can also add fresh herbs such as coriander or mint to add freshness to the dish.