South Indian Prawn & Coconut Curry

There is never a day when the boy doesn’t  love a curry. This is a good dry one from South India,

400g tiger prawns (ours are frozen)

2tbsp oil

1 onion, finely chopped

2 gsrlic cloves, finely chopped

An inch of fresh ginger, finely chopped

2 green chillies, finely chopped

2tsp garam masala

1tsp chilli powder

1tsp turmeric

4 tomatoes, chopped

1tsp tamarind paste

50ml cold water

4tbsp desiccated coconut

Small bunch coriander

Rotis to serve

The prawns come from the street seller who has been on the Wood Green end of Green Lanes forever. They are peeled and deveined already. I need them to be big enough not to taste too fishy. I don’t get why the smaller ones taste like that. Heat the oil and fry the onion, ginger, chilli and garlic (in that order). Garlic is easy to burn so it has to go in last. It’s time for some Asha Bosle. Dum Maro Dum!

Sprinkle the garam masala and the chilli powder over and stir well. Tip the tomatoes in and then the tamarind paste. Tinned tomatoes would do here. Just fish four out with a fork. If you add the juice, reduce the water as you want it to end up quite dry. If not, add the water now– most of it will evaporate. Give it 10 minutes or so.

The boy is sniffing around the kitchen by now, looking interested. He gets a poppadom and a bottle of beer and is sent on his way.

Add the coconut and the prawns and stir constantly. As soon as the prawns are pink, it’s done. Just check the coconut has dissolved into it. Sprinkle with coriander. The boy likes pick-up food so we are having this with soft rotis. We prefer the soft ones to traditional, as they don’t break up as easily. I also think most curries appreciate a raw salad. I have pushed a white onion, half a carrot and a tomato through the mandolin (which the boy is never allowed to go near), and dressed it with lime juice. It’s cut on the smallest blade. It's my mission to get him to eat some fresh veg every day, usually without him noticing.  I’m also having chilli pickle with my portion. The boy definitely isn’t. I love the way he grins when he has good food.