Nigella Coconut Prawns Recipes

COCONUT AND MUSTARD PRAWNS

Steps:

• Place the prawns into a bowl, sprinkle over the salt, ground turmeric and red chile powder, and set aside to marinate for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, blend the English mustard, cornflour and a splash of water, to a paste in a small bowl. Reserve.
• Heat the mustard oil in a large nonstick pan over a medium heat until smoking. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool for 15 to 20 seconds, then add the nigella seeds, return the pan to the heat, and cook the seeds until they sizzle.
• Add the green chiles, and onion, stir well and fry for 7 to 8 minutes, or until softened.
• Add the garlic, and ginger pastes, and continue to cook for 45 to 60 seconds. Add the reserved mustard paste, and grated coconut, and stir well to combine. Fry the mixture for 4 to 5 minutes, then add the water, and continue cooking for another 3 to 4 minutes, or until the volume of liquid has reduced by half, and the sauce has thickened.
• Add the prawns and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until pink, stirring well. Stir in the chopped cilantro, and serve immediately.

SHRIMP WITH GARLIC AND CHILI PEPPER

Steps:

• Pour the olive oil into a wide, heavy-bottomed frying pan. Then add the chile and garlic and, over moderate to low heat, to infuse rather than to color, fry for 2 minutes, stirring all the time. Then turn the heat to high, add the shrimp, and stir-fry them for another 2 minutes or until they turn pink and are just, delicately, cooked; you want the flesh to stay tender. Pour in the white wine and let it bubble up. You don't want a liquid puddle around the shrimp, just enough wine to let the juices ooze into a winy sauce. Another minute or so should do it. Season with the salt, if necessary, and then turn into your bowl and sprinkle with parsley. Eat with some good hunks of baguette. I eat these carapace, head, and all: one of the reasons I designate them for solitary dinner.
• If you want, you can add a tablespoonful or so of brandy before throwing in the wine.

HOT SPICED PRAWNS

Steps:

• Warm the oil in a large wide saucepan, and throw in the scallions, garlic and ginger.
• Stir everything around vigorously until the onions begin to wilt, and then toss in the prawns, stirring again. Cover the pan and let everything cook for about 5 minutes; then, remove the lid and pour in the sherry. Stir again, then cover the pan until the prawns are cooked through and no longer glassy in the middle. Taste; add a sprinkling of salt if you need it. Pour into a large shallow bowl, making sure you don't lose all the bits of onion, garlic and ginger, and take immediately to the table.

PRAWN & COCONUT CURRY

Steps:

• Fry the onions, ginger and garlic in the oil for about 10 mins. Stir in the turmeric and coriander, then fry for 1 min more. Tip the mixture into a blender with the tomatoes and creamed coconut, then blend to a purée.
• Return to the pan with 300ml water, the chutney, chilli and pepper and simmer for 10 mins. You can freeze it at this stage.
• Stir in the prawns and cook for a few mins more until they turn pink - take care not to overcook them or they'll become tough. Add the coriander, then season to taste with salt, pepper and lemon juice just before serving.