Prawns in Chilly Tomato Gravy

Prawns in Tomato Chilly Gravy

A bengali is child is introduced to the art of eat fish at the onset of childhood (yes it is an art to pick bones from the flesh expertly, while eating and talking without paying any attention..try eating a Hilsa...I dare you). The daily chore of Bong dad is to get out of the house every morning with the 'Macher Bag' (bag designated to carry fish only) in his hand, got to the nearby fish market. While chatting about the current political affairs and arguing about the better football club, he hunts through the freshest of fish with dexterity and brings it home. In the meanwhile the moms would struggle to get the kids ready for schools, while pushing the lazy one to the shower and braiding neat pleats with the daughter's non cooperating hair, she prepares tiffin for their school.

Well that was the seen I was used to see whenever we visited out Aunt in Kolkata during vacations. She would prepare the heartiest of meals with the best fish curries I have ever tasted; accompanied with aalu and begun bhaja (Potato and Eggplant fry ups), fragrant moong dal with chochori ( a bengali mixed veg dish) and what not. You see I was born and bread in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. Although it has many perks on its own, but as a Bong, my dad struggled finding variety of fishes  most of the times. Today it is easy, given you can any find any kind of frozen fish in you nearby mall. But in those days, every city we lived, my dad took it as a personal challenge to find a decent shop, where he could buy fresh fish. But even after all that efforts we were limited to only few varieties. At that times, I used to get tired of my parents trying to make me eat fish every alternate day. I was one of those picky eaters and wished for the days when I would be allowed to eat only potatoes and Dal with rice. I was a nightmare for my mother who would spend her days inventing recipes to make me eat vegetables and meat without fuss. I guess in one of those days, in her frustrations, she probably cursed me to have a child like me or worse, coz now my daily job is to run after my 2 year old to make him eat something and then scrapping the food off the floor, walls and furniture. Some job huh.

Therefore Prawns and shellfish were a real treat in those days. My dad would never let them pass, if they were ever (read once in 7-8 months) available. I guess that is the reason I love eating prawns so much, coz I know that he knew how much we loved eating them, so whenever he saw prawns, he had to get them.

The best thing about this shell fish is that it tastes great and takes no time to cook. may be that is the reason they taste best with the simplest of gravies. The gravy in the picture is one of my mom's creations and an absolute family favorite. Simple, hassle free with minimum ingredients. We haven't named it anything yet, may be you can help.

Things you would need:

1/2 kg prawns (shelled and de-veined)
5-6 large tomatoes
3-4 green chilies
1 tsp turmeric
1 and 1/2 tsp sugar
1 tsp red chili powder
2 tsp coriander powder
1 tsp mustard seeds
2 sprigs of curry leaves
Salt

Method:

Marinade the Prawns with salt and turmeric. Blanche the tomatoes and peel the skin off, make a puree out of them along with the green chilies.

In a pan add oil and when it heats up, add the prawns and give it a quick toss and once it starts turning light pink, take them out. Don't cook completely, coz we'll cook them in the gravy.

In the same oil (reduce the quantity if there's lot), add the mustard seeds and curry leaves. Once they are done crackling, add the turmeric, chili powder, coriander powder and sugar (reduce the quantity if you like more acidity in your gravies).

Fry the masala for a minute then add the Tomato and chili puree and mix it. Once it starts bubbling add the prawns. Simmer the gravy in medium heat, once it starts leaves the sides and oil surfaces, takes it off the heat and serve with steamed rice or parathas.

Hope you will like it and lemme me know if you make it.

See ya.