Spicy Prawns

Name: Spicy Prawns
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Malaysia
Ingredients: 500 g (1 lb) large fresh prawns, sliced lengthwise and gently deveined; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon pepper; 1 tablespoon lime juice; ½ cup (125 ml) thick coconut milk or ¼ cup (60 ml) coconut cream mixed with ¼ cup (60 ml) water; ½ cup (125 ml) thick coconut milk or ¼ cup (60 ml) coconut cream mixed with ¼ cup (60 ml) water; ½ cup (125 ml) thick coconut milk or ¼ cup (60 ml) coconut cream mixed with ¼ cup (60 ml) water; ½ tablespoon shaved palm sugar of brown sugar; pandanus leaves or banana leaf torn into 4-cm (1½-in) wide strips, for wrapping the prawns; pandanus leaves or banana leaf torn into 4-cm (1½-in) wide strips, for wrapping the prawns; pandanus leaves or banana leaf torn into 4-cm (1½-in) wide strips, for wrapping the prawns; Basic Chilli Sauce or Chilli Ginger Sauce; Basic Chilli Sauce or Chilli Ginger Sauce; 2 candlenuts, roughly chopped; 2 cm (¾ in) galangal root, sliced; 6 red chillies, sliced; 8 shallots, peeled and halved; 5 cloves garlic, peeled and halved; 1 teaspoon turmeric powder; 1 teaspoon belachan (dried prawn paste); 1 teaspoon belachan (dried prawn paste)

Preparation info

Serves
4

Difficulty
Easy
Ready in
25 min

Appears in

The Food of Malaysia

By Wendy Hutton

Published 2022

About

A “sarong” of fragrant pandanus or banana leaf is optional but adds a decorative touch and a subtle fragrance to the prawns.

Ingredients

500 g (1 lb) large fresh prawns, sliced lengthwise and gently deveined
½ teaspoon

Asia
Malaysia
Fish course
Gluten-free
Pescatarian
Low fat

Method

Prepare the Basic Chilli Sauce or Chilli Ginger Sauce by following the instructions.
Season the prawns with the salt, pepper and lime juice.
Grind the Spice Paste ingredients in a mortar or blender, adding a little oil if necessary to keep the blades turning. Mix the Spice Paste with t