Prawn Vindhali / Prawn curry

This is my very good and beautiful friend Priya, who lives in Philly. We've been friends from our college days. She visited India too, in December, when I was there. We met up with old friends and had a blast.

She gave me this wonderful recipe for prawn vindhali. She says it's a recipe from Thirunelveli, Tamil Nadu. It is a very simple and delicious dish. I tried it and loved it. Thought I must give her the credit for the recipe. So, kudos to you, Priya. And thanks a bundle pal :)




Ingredients:

• Cleaned prawns - 1 pound (abt. 1/2 kg)
• Vinegar - 4-5 tbspns
• Onion - 1 large (chopped)
• Garlic - 6-7 cloves (chopped)
• Ginger - 1 inch thick piece (chopped)
• Oil - 4-5 tbspns
• Red chillis - 10
• Turmeric powder - 1/2 tspn
• Cumin seeds - 1/2 tspn
• Mustard seeds- 1-1/2 tspn
• Curry leaves - 2 sprigs
• Water - 1/4 cup
• Salt to taste

Directions:

• Lightly dry roast the red chillis, mustard and cumin seeds in a pan.
• Grind this to a paste with a 2-3 tbspns of vinegar (do not add water at all to this mixture)
• Marinate the prawns in this paste for about 30 mins.
• Heat oil in a pan and add onions, garlic and ginger and saute for 4-5 mins.
• Add turmeric powder.
• Add the marinated prawns, salt and vinegar and fry well.( For about 4-5 mins)
• Pour 1/4 cup of water, add curry leaves and allow it to simmer till the gravy becomes thick.
• Serve hot. Pairs well with rice .

Luv 'n' luc'
Smitha