Ingredients
Metric weights use grams. US weights use ounces; liquids use fluid ounces. Conversions are rounded. Spoon measures use 5 ml teaspoons and 15 ml tablespoons; cups use 240 ml.
Serves 4
Choose any positive whole number of servings. Ingredients and measured amounts in steps scale together. Times, temperatures and equipment stay unchanged. For larger yields, cook separate original-size batches. Counted ingredients can become fractions; beat eggs before dividing them. Fixed correction-water checks remain fixed.
Base
Sauce
Prawns
Equipment
Saucepan; spoon; knife; thermometer.
Check all product labels and cross-contact. Diet groups describe this listed draft, not every substitution.
Steps
Cook the base · About 10 min
- Heat 25 ml neutral oil. Cook 150 g onion, chopped for 6 minutes. Add 15 g ginger-garlic paste for 1 minute; add 200 g tomatoes, chopped, 1 tsp curry powder and ½ tsp turmeric for 3 minutes.
Simmer the sauce · About 6 min
- Add 250 ml coconut milk, 100 ml water, 10 g tamarind paste, ¾ tsp salt; simmer gently for 6 minutes.
Cook the prawns · About 5 min
- Add 600 g peeled raw prawns; simmer for 3–5 minutes.
Check: Prawns are opaque and firm; check 63°C / 145°F where a probe fits.
Finish · About 1 min
- Turn off the heat and add 15 g coriander leaves.
Tips
- Avoid a rolling boil after adding coconut milk.
- Taste tamarind before adding extra; concentrated paste can be strong.
Substitutions
- Use lemon juice instead of tamarind, added after cooking.
- Use coconut cream diluted with water to the same total volume.
Storage
- Refrigerate perishable food within two hours, or within one hour in heat above 32°C / 90°F. Store covered at 4°C / 40°F or below. Use within two days for this draft.
- Reheat cooked dishes to 74°C / 165°F, stirring or turning for even heating. Serve cold salads, dips and chilled desserts directly from safe refrigeration.
- For sauces and soups, add a little water if thick and reheat gently. Crisp coatings soften after storage.
Make ahead
- Cook the sauce one day ahead and refrigerate.
- Peel raw prawns ahead; keep them chilled and separate from ready-to-eat food.
FAQ
Can I use shrimp?
Yes. Shrimp and prawns cook similarly when their sizes match.
Can I make the sauce thicker?
Reduce it before adding prawns.
Can I freeze it?
Freeze promptly cooled portions. Thaw in the fridge and reheat once; texture may firm.
Food safety references
FoodSafety.gov: cooking temperatures · Food Standards Agency: rice storage and reheating



