Description
This Tamarind Prawn Curry is a vibrant and tangy dish featuring succulent king prawns simmered in a flavorful sauce enriched with tamarind, tomatoes, and aromatic spices. Served over fragrant basmati rice and garnished with fresh coriander, this quick and easy curry offers a perfect balance of heat, acidity, and savory depth.
Ingredients
Scale
Curry
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 red chilli, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 400g can cherry tomatoes
- 1–2 tbsp tamarind paste
- 250g raw king prawns
To Serve
- 250g cooked basmati rice
- Handful of coriander leaves
Instructions
- Prepare the base: Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 5-8 minutes until it is soft and light golden brown.
- Add aromatics and spices: Stir in the finely chopped red chilli, crushed garlic cloves, and grated ginger. Fry for another minute to release their aromas before adding the turmeric, cumin seeds, and ground coriander. Mix well to coat the onion and spices.
- Add tomatoes and simmer: Pour in the canned cherry tomatoes, then swirl a splash of water into the empty can to rinse out any remaining tomato and add it to the pan. Stir and simmer gently for about 5 minutes until the tomatoes burst and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Incorporate tamarind and prawns: Stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons of tamarind paste, adjusting to taste depending on the sourness preferred. Then add the raw king prawns, stirring them into the sauce. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until the prawns turn pink and are fully cooked through.
- Serve: Spoon the prawn curry over cooked basmati rice and scatter fresh coriander leaves over the top for a bright, herbal finish.
Notes
- Tamarind paste varies in sourness between brands; start with 1 tablespoon, taste, and add more if desired.
- For extra heat, increase the amount of red chilli or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- This curry pairs well with naan bread or steamed vegetables for a fuller meal.
- Ensure prawns are fully cooked until they turn opaque and pink for food safety.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Indian
Keywords: Tamarind prawn curry, Indian prawn curry, spicy prawn curry, quick prawn recipe, tamarind seafood curry
