Instant Prawn Molho

The Goan prawn molho is a pickle made with fresh prawns. It is tangy, sweet and mildly spiced.  Mum makes this regularly for us and my friends.  But we have to wait for 15 days to taste.  I have patience, lots of it.  But when it comes to prawn molho, I don’t have even the ‘p’ of patience.  Here is an instant prawn molho recipe that I have tried several times and is a huge hit.

Collect it:

·        150 grams prawns / 15 big prawns

·        2 tsp red chillie powder

·        1 tsp cumin powder

·        1 tsp black pepper powder

·        1 tsp garam masala powder

·        A pinch of turmeric

·        2-3 medium sized onions, finely chopped

·        1 tbsp garlic-ginger paste

·        2 tbsp hot and sweet tomatoe ketchup

·        15 curry leaves

·        60 ml palm vinegar

·        3 tbsp oil

·        1 tsp sugar (optional)

·        1 tsp salt

·        100 ml water

Make it:

Apply 1/2 tsp salt to the prawns and set aside for 15 minutes.

In a bowl make a paste of the spice powders and vinegar.

Heat 2 tbsp oil in a pan and fry the prawn till they change colour. Drain the water and set aside.

In the same pan, add the remaining oil, add curry leaves and sauté for 30 seconds.  Add onions and sauté till light brown.  Add garlic-ginger paste.  Sauté for two minutes till the raw smell disappears.

Add the spice paste.  Turn the gas on low heat.  Continue to sauté till the oil separates from the masala.

Add prawns, sugar, 1/2 tsp salt and 100 ml water.  Cook till the mix dries up.  Add ketchup.  Turn off the heat.