Persian Gulf Prawn Curry

This is a not too hot curry – Persian, rather than Indian, though India is just across the Arabian sea from Iran. The boy loves all the flavours of this as it isn’t too hot. He goes a really cute pink colour and tuns rather damp if there is too much chilli. This is about right, and has a distinctly middle eastern flavour.

3 tbsp oil

2 onions, chopped

2 tbsp ginger, grated

3 cloves garlic, crushed

1 tsp Baharat (all will be revealed)

1 tsp chilli powder

2 tsp turmeric

1 cinnamon stick

Grated rind of 1 lime

1x 400g can tomatoes

¼ cup tamarind water

1 cup water

700g peeled king prawns

Basmati rice & lime wedges and coriander leaves to serve

Baharat is made up of 2 tsp each of black pepper & paprika. 2 tsp each of cumin & coriander seeds, toasted and ground. 1 tsp ground cinnamon, ½ tsp each ground cardamom, cloves and nutmeg. Combine.

It’s not as cold as it has been but a light, complex curry is just the thing.  Fry the onions slowly for 10 minute. You want to soften but not brown them. Add the ginger, spices, lime peel and garlic and give it another minute. 

Stir in the tomatoes- they don't have to be especially good ones, but break them up. Add the water and the tamarind water. Bring to the boil and simmer for 10 minutes.  It should reduce to  thick gravy.

He’s enjoying a compilation of radio comedies from the 1970’s. Turn the kitchen radio on to share them with him. Put the rice on in the rice cooker. Pop a few whole cardamom pods in to perfume the rice.

Add the prawns to the sauce. These are horribly expensive from the supermarket – find a local fishmonger or market stall. Cover the pan and simmer for 10 minutes. No more or the prawns will get tough.

Serve with the rice and a simple salad of tomato and cucumber slices.

As predicted, he really likes it. It’s lightly spicy, rather than searing-hot. He also likes dinner that comes in a bowl with just a fork. There are times for maximum chilli, but this isn’t one of them. It’s time for running your fingers through his incredibly coarse hair, and cooking things just the way he likes them, because you love him.