Prawns Fry

" Anyway, like I was sayin', shrimp is the fruit of the sea. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, saute it. Dey's uh, shrimp-kabobs, shrimp creole, shrimp gumbo. Pan fried, deep fried, stir-fried. There's pineapple shrimp, lemon shrimp, coconut shrimp, pepper shrimp, shrimp soup, shrimp stew, shrimp salad, shrimp and potatoes, shrimp burger, shrimp sandwich. That- that's about it.  - FORREST GUMP quote "

This is the simplest prawns recipe (Indian, of course) you will ever come across :-) Believe me, there is no compromise on taste though.
Back home in Mahe, prawns are fried with just Chilli powder, Turmeric and salt and tastes like heaven.
I like the flavor of garlic and curry leaves though, and cannot cook prawns without adding both. This makes a good starter or you can have it with rice.

Cooking Prawns :

At home, I have always seen prawns being cooked in a little water, along with salt, chilli and turmeric powder and then tawa fried.

I cook the same way. It was later that I came to know that prawns are good to go when they turn pink. Takes about 4 minutes on high heat.
Somehow, took me a long time to accept the fact that almost every other being on Earth cooks like that. Something wrong with the people of Mahe ? I would gladly include Tellicherry and Calicut too.

You think I am weird ? I have one more confession to make.
I used to pressure cook prawns ( for saving on time and energy, I would like you to believe) and then fry them.My husband dear, cried foul every time I did this. I argued saying that's how I can ensure the prawns do not taste under cooked.
However, It tasted awesome and whoever tried liked it. So I thought that is how it is done and I still do it. Will share that recipe some other time.

Hands up please, If any of you have done this ( or doing it). I would like some company here.

So the prawns in this recipe can be prepared the way you prefer. Since I have tried both, with a heavy heart I would like to agree that  4 minutes on high heat is good enough.

Ingredients :

Prawns : 500 gms
Chilli Powder - 2 - 3 tsp ( Adjust according to your spice levels)
Turmeric Powder - 1/2 tsp
Garlic - 3-4 crushed
Salt to taste
Curry leaves - few leaves
Oil for shallow frying - 1 -2 tsp ( Coconut oil is recommended)

1. Remove the head, devein and clean prawns.
2. Add Salt, Chilli powder and turmeric powder to the prawns. Mix well.
3. Marinate for 1-2 hours. ( Depending on your ability to wait :-) )
4. Tawa fry the prawns on high heat for 4-5 minutes.
5. Serve hot.