Prawn Malaikari

Merry Christams!!

And with that I bring to you the penultimate course in the Bengali holiday meal :) series

Prawn 'malaikari'. A personal favorite right from my grandmom's kitchen. A delicate entree of prawns stewed in a subtle blend of cardamom-bayleaf-clove-cinnamon spiced coconut milk. An eternal delicacy in any Bengali kitchen. To be served with some sort of a sweet raisin pilaf

Ingredients:

1/2 lb of prawns. De veined and shell removed 

1 tbsf of olive oil

Whole garam masala-- 2 cloves, 2 cardamom, 1/3rd stick of cinnamon

1 bayleaf

2 dried red chilli

1/2 tsp of grated ginger

2 tsp of sugar

1/2 cup of yogurt or 1/2 cup of cubed tomatoes.

1/2 cup of coconut milk. Alternatively, you can use a mixture of 1/2 cup of coconut flakes mixed with 1/3rd cup of milk.  

1/2 cup of hot water

Salt to season

A pinch of store bought garam masala powder for garnish

 

Do it ..will ya ?

In a pot heat oil and pop the whole garam masala, bayleaf and dried red chilli. saute for sometime till the spices turn a deeper shade. About 30 secs. Lower heat and add grated ginger, yoghurt/tomato and sugar (the lower heat is prevents burning of the spices). Saute for a couple of minutes and then add the prawns. Add half a cup of water. Bring to a boil. Add the coconut milk mixture/coconut milk and simmer for 5-7 mins. Season with salt. It should taste sweet :) Garnish with a pinch of garam masala.

Serve with a cherry or raisin pilaf. Now that is fancy smancy in under 10 mins. You guessed?

Merry christmas!