Prawns

India, Sri Lanka, and Macao

In this section, join me on a culinary adventure across the south of Asia. We begin in India with a creamy Malabar-style Prawn Curry, then hop across the Palk Strait in the Bay of Bengal to Sri Lanka for some fiery Devilled Prawns. Finally, we set sail to Macau to savour the boldness, spice, and zest of Macanese Garlic Prawns. These delicious recipes illustrate the fascinating culinary impact of trade and cultural exchange across these countries and their cuisines.

It all began with India’s maritime trade routes that connected it with Southeast Asia, including Sri Lanka and the regions that later became Macau and China. The historical trade between India and Sri Lanka, involving Arab and Jewish merchants, led to the exchange of goods and spices in these regions. As a result of the vibrant trade, ports became the hub for the spice trade and attracted traders from across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.