Prawn Masala: A Spicy and Flavorful Indian Dish
If you're a fan of Indian cuisine, you've probably heard of prawn masala. This delicious dish is a staple in many Indian households and restaurants, and for good reason.
Prawn masala is a flavourful and aromatic dish that combines juicy prawns with a blend of fragrant spices and herbs.
To make prawn masala, you'll need a few key ingredients, including prawns, onions, tomatoes, garlic, ginger, and a variety of spices.
The dish is typically cooked in a tomato-based sauce, which gives it a rich and tangy flavour.
Depending on the recipe, prawn masala can be mild or spicy, so it's a versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people with different tastes.
Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner in the kitchen, prawn masala is a great recipe to try.
It's relatively easy to make, and the end result is a delicious and satisfying meal that's sure to impress your family and friends.
So why not give it a go and see for yourself how tasty prawn masala can be?
Key Takeaways
- Prawn masala is a flavourful and aromatic dish that's a staple in many Indian households and restaurants.
- The dish is typically cooked in a tomato-based sauce and can be mild or spicy, depending on the recipe.
- Prawn masala is a great recipe to try for both seasoned cooks and beginners in the kitchen.
Ingredients and Preparation
Selecting Prawns
To make a delicious prawn masala dish, you need to start by selecting fresh prawns.
You can buy them raw, with the shell and tail on, or already deveined. If you buy frozen prawns, make sure to defrost them before cooking.
King prawns or tiger prawns work well for this dish.
Creating the Masala Base
To create the masala base, you will need onion, tomato, garlic, and ginger.
You can chop the onion and tomato finely, or use a food processor to make a paste. You can also make a ginger-garlic paste by blending ginger and garlic together.
Heat oil in a pan and fry the onion until it turns pink or golden. Then add the ginger-garlic paste and fry until the raw smell goes away.
Add chopped tomatoes and sprinkle salt and turmeric. Fry until the mixture turns mushy and breaks down completely.
Add spices such as garam masala, coriander powder, cumin, and red chilli powder.
You can also add a green chilli for extra heat. Stir well and fry for a few minutes.
Cooking the Dish
Now it's time to cook the prawns.
Add the prawns to the masala base and mix well. Add some curry leaves for extra flavour.
Cook the prawns until they turn pink and are cooked through.
Add water and salt to taste. Squeeze some lemon juice and add some coconut milk to give the dish a creamy texture.
Let it simmer for a few minutes until the sauce thickens.
Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and serve hot with rice or naan bread. Enjoy your homemade prawn masala!
Serving and Nutritional Information
Accompaniments
Prawn masala is a versatile dish that can be paired with a variety of accompaniments.
The most popular choice is plain rice, but you can also serve it with jeera rice, roti, chapati, or paratha.
If you're looking for a lighter option, consider pairing it with a kachumber salad.
Health and Diet
If you're watching your calorie intake, it's important to note that prawn masala can be quite high in calories.
One serving of prawn masala contains approximately 433 calories source. However, it's also a good source of protein, with one serving containing 31 grams of protein source.
When it comes to the ingredients, prawn masala typically contains a mix of spices, coconut milk, and herbs.
The spices used in the dish can vary, but common ones include cumin, coriander, turmeric, and chilli powder.
Coconut milk is often used to create a creamy texture, and lemon juice or sugar is sometimes added to balance out the flavours.
If you're looking for a healthier option, consider using coconut oil instead of regular oil.
Coconut oil is a healthier alternative and can add a subtle coconut taste to the dish.
Additionally, you can adjust the spice level to your liking by adding more or less pepper.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's a good recipe for making restaurant-style prawn masala?
If you're looking to replicate the delicious prawn masala you've had at your favourite restaurant, there are many great recipes available online.
One such recipe can be found on The Odehlicious. This recipe uses a variety of spices and ingredients to create a rich and flavourful dish that's sure to satisfy your cravings.
How can I prepare a simple yet authentic South Indian prawn masala?
If you're looking for a simple yet authentic South Indian prawn masala recipe, try this one from Yummy Tummy.
It uses a few basic ingredients and spices to create a delicious and flavourful dish that's perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Is there a special masala powder recommended for prawn dishes?
While there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, many prawn masala recipes call for a blend of spices known as garam masala.
This blend typically includes cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, cumin, and coriander. However, some recipes may call for additional spices or a different blend altogether.
Can prawn masala be made in a dry version?
Yes, prawn masala can be made in a dry version.
In fact, many recipes call for the prawns to be cooked separately and then added to the masala sauce at the end. This creates a dry version of the dish that's perfect for serving with rice or bread.
Are there any notable differences when making Kerala-style prawn masala?
Kerala-style prawn masala typically includes coconut milk and a blend of spices that's unique to the region.
This gives the dish a slightly sweet and creamy flavour that sets it apart from other prawn masala recipes.
What's the nutritional information for a serving of prawn masala?
The nutritional information for prawn masala can vary depending on the recipe and serving size.
However, as a general rule, prawn masala is a high-protein dish that's also rich in vitamins and minerals.
To reduce the calorie count, try using low-fat coconut milk or serving the dish with a side of vegetables.