Ingredients :
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tbsp bright red paprika
1/2 tsp ground turmeric
4 garlic cloves peeled and crushed
1 in piece of fresh ginger peeled and grated
2 tbsp coriander seeds
1 tsp cumin seeds
14 oz can coconut milk well stirred
3/4 tsp salt
3 pieces of kokum or 1 tbsp tamarind paste
1 lb peeled and de-veined uncooked prawns
Preparation :
In a bowl, combine 10 fl oz water with the cayenne pepper, paprika,
turmeric, garlic and ginger. Mix well.
Grind the coriander seeds and cumin seeds in a clean coffee grinder and add to the mixture. Put the spice mixture into a pan and bring to a simmer.
Turn the heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes. The sauce should
reduce and thicken.
Add the coconut milk, salt, kokum or tamarind paste and bring to a simmer. Add the prawns and simmer, stirring now and then, until they turn opaque and are just cooked through.
TIPS If you buy unpeeled headless prawns you will need 1 1/2 lb.
Kokum is the semi-dried sour skin of a fruit that grows along India's
coast. Tamarind paste makes a good substitute.