Authentic Indian Prawn Masala

Ingredients

• 17 ounces large raw prawns, or shrimp, peeled, deveined, and washed

For the Marinade:

• 1 tablespoon garlic paste
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, plus more for garnish
• 2 green chilies
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil (e.g., vegetable, canola, or sunflower)

For the Gravy:

• 4 tablespoons cooking oil
• 2 large onions, chopped
• 2 tablespoons garlic paste
• 1 tablespoon ginger paste
• 2 large tomatoes, diced
• 2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
• 2 teaspoons garam masala
• 1 dash salt, or to taste
• 1/4 cup boiling water

Steps to Make It

Marinate the Prawns

1. Gather the ingredients.
2. In a blender, combine all of the marinade ingredients—garlic paste, cilantro, chilies, lemon juice, and oil—and grind until it’s a smooth paste.
3. In a large, non-metallic bowl, place the prawns and pour the marinade over them. Mix to coat all the prawns well.
4. Cover the bowl and store in the refrigerator to marinate while you make the gravy.

Prepare the Masala Gravy

1. Gather the ingredients.
2. In a heavy-bottomed pan, heat 4 tablespoons of cooking oil over medium heat.
3. When the cooking oil is hot, add the chopped onions. Sauté until the onions begin to turn a pale golden brown color.
4. Add the garlic and ginger pastes and sauté for 1 minute.
5. Add the tomatoes, all the powdered spices—coriander, cumin, turmeric, chili, and garam masala, and salt to taste. Mix well.
6. Sauté the masala (onion-tomato-spice mixture) until the oil begins to separate from it. This can take up to 10 minutes.
7. When the masala begins to look ready, turn off the heat.
8. Put the prepared masala into the food processor and grind into a smooth paste (do not add water). Remove and place in a separate container.

Finish the Dish

1. Using the same frying pan as before, turn the heat on medium.
2. Once it is hot, add the prawns and marinade and sauté until the prawns just begin to turn opaque.
3. Add the prepared masala and boiling water. Stir well.
4. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes and turn off the heat.
5. Garnish with chopped cilantro.