Monday, September 6, 2010

TUMERIC 'N TAMARIND PRAWNS


The Star, a national newspaper, has in its supplement Startwo a two page spread on the first Monday of every month called 'Don't Call Me Chef'. They feature recipes based on a theme. 

Starting September they intend to feature a food blogger each month as well. I felt quite pleased and very honoured when Ivy, the column's writer and editor of Youth, asked if I would like to be the first food blogger to be featured and to contribute a recipe. Ivy also has a food blog called The Hungry Caterpillar.

My contribution to this column would give the link to my blog as well as appear on kuali.com on Star Online on the same day, that is today 6th September 2010.

We met and I was asked a few expected questions. I spent a few minutes recounting my little blog story. Then I sat back and, somewhat apprehensively (it being my first ever interview), looked forward to seeing it in print. I think. 

I saw the article this morning. Eagerly. The title made me gasp a little. And then I just had to smile. In an age of information technology, space exploration and medical advancement I was under the impression that 50 is the new young. Or so I thought. Indeed I hope I will never be too old for anything.

To view the article please click here.


This is my contribution to 'Don't Call Me Chef's' theme of Ramadan for September - Tumeric and Tamarind Prawns, a simple, quick and delicious dish. 

Who knows, You might be the next Malaysian food blogger to be featured. Sit tight, be good and you might get that email and the opportunity to tell your own little blog story.


This is a simple dish of prawns fried in tumeric with a squeeze of tamarind juice for that added dimension of  sourness, scattered with limp sauteed rings of sliced onions and chillies for some extra bite. 

This is a dish that was often prepared at home when I was a child. It is earthy, simple, light on the stomach with a slight tang from the tamarind and kept everyone busy because the shelled prawns needed to be peeled before you ate them. Unless, like me, you ate them shell and all. 

Like any respectable cook would tell you..... "Use the freshest prawns and you will get the sweetest and crunchiest dish".


The recipe ~

12-15 medium prawns, cleaned leaving shells intact
1 tsp tumeric powder
salt to taste

2 cloves garlic
1 large yellow onion, sliced in rings 
1 large chillie, sliced diagonally
1 tsp tamarind pulp mixed with 1/4 cup water and juice and strained

cooking oil

Chopped coriander leaves and stalks for garnish

Sprinkle tumeric powder and salt over prawns and using your hands rub the mixture evenly over the prawns so that they are well and evenly covered.

Heat enough oil in a shallow pan to cover the surface. When hot throw in the prawns a small batch at a time and fry the prawns until the colour changes, when they turn pink and crispy. It should not take longer than 2-3 minutes. Do the same with the rest of the prawns. Drain and leave aside.

Throw away excess oil from the pan leaving about a tablespoon in. Warm up the oil if necessary and saute the crushed garlic and onion rings until soft and fragrant. Then add the juice of the tamarind pulp. Stir until the sauce bubbles. Throw the fried prawns back in followed by the sliced red chillies. The sauce should just coat the prawns lightly. Adjust for seasoning and for the subtle balance of sourness. 

Serve with piping hot white rice.


I am submitting this recipe to ~


hosted this time around by House of Annie the idea of which was created by Sharon of Test With Skewer and 3 Hungry Tummies.

42 comments:

Su-yin said...

Ooooh congrats Zurin! Do post a photo of the article if you can, as I've got no access to it here.

p.s. Selamat Hari Raya (in advance)!

Torviewtoronto said...

Lovely
You must be excited congrats

La Table De Nana said...

Congratulations Zurin..I am not surprised..how fun for you~

The prawns look delicious..Turmeric is so good for us~ My son-in-law introduced me to Tamarind..
Thanks for the recipe~

Anonymous said...

Hey Zurin,

Congrats on being the first food blogger featured! Looking forward to reading it myself. And your prawn dish looks absolutely delicious. And served with piping hot white rice. Wish I could have that for dinner tonight. No, seriously... !

mary-anne

Shirley @ Kokken69 said...

Zu, this is so so exciting! Congratulations for being selected to be the first blogger to be featured. This will be wonderful encouragement and great exposure for Cherry on a Cake!

Sarah-Jane - SiliconeMoulds.com said...

THis looks lovely Zurin.

How do you clean a prawn and leave the shell on at the same time ?

pam said...

Congratulations!!!

Love that gorgeous color on the prawns!

WendyinKK said...

Kongrats!! Oh wonder when will the publication be?? I don't buy the Star everyday ;) I do hope to read it.

I love the garlic and onion touch to it. I too, saute it at the end, so that it'll lend some sweetness to the dish.

busygran said...

Congrats Zurin! You deserve this. I always look forward to your bakes and cooks.

MeRy said...

LOoks yummy...and congrats..
I will try out your recipe this weekend..

Angie's Recipes said...

Zurin, congratulations!!
I love the jumbo prawns! This looks totally delish.

Bakericious said...

Congrats! the prawns look so fresh and yummy

kat said...

Nice going, Zurin! :)

I like prawns, I like tamarind, and this looks like it would go with many plates of piping hot rice!! :D

petite nyonya said...

Oh this is so sedap!! Love prawns cooked this way. So worthy of a showcase in the paper. Congrats!

Ninette said...

Congratulations, Zurin! Those look delicious, and I can just imagine peeling them open with a nice cold beer.

Jeannie said...

Hi Zurin! Congrats on your post in the Star...just read about it and log in to visit...lovely and simple prawns recipe indeed! CHeers:D

Clare @ Mrs Multitasker said...

Congratulations on the interview zurin! And the prawn dish sounds and looks yummy =)

Sally said...

congratulations, sounds like a quite an honour! THese look delicious, but doesn't tumeric just stain EVERYTHING?!!!

Tasty Trix said...

Congratulations!! Will you post the article? I want to see it!! Great recipe choice!

Federica Simoni said...

wow sublime questo piatto!!bellissimo e invitante!! complimenti! ciao!

Unknown said...

What a great column! I love the recipe.

ICook4Fun said...

Congratulations Zurin!! Wah dah glamour sekarang yea. I always like cooking pranws in some kind of tangy sauce. By the way,wishing you and your family Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri. Have wonderful time with your family and friends. Take care.

Zurin said...

Sally, :) Only if you get it on EVERYTHING.

Zurin said...

Thank you all for your kind and very supportive and encouraging comments. Food blogging is great.

Unfortunately please forgive me if I have been not been commenting on your blogs as often as before. Im a little short of time these days but believe me Im always, always checking out your blogs and admiring your creations. Ill have to find time to get back into the 'scene' once again.

You kind people you...:))) MUAH

Emily Z said...

These prawns look beautiful! I am so glad also that you thought my cookies looked good. Thanks again for sharing your wonderful recipe!

Love2cook Malaysia said...

WOW, congratz for featuring in the article Kak!!! ;)

The prawn looks sinfully delicious lor...I feel like helping out myself here...heheh! :D

Newayz, I'd like to take this opportunity to wish U a Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Have a safe n fun Raya! :D

Anonymous said...

ooohhhh nooo....!!! its look delicious and very nice photograph....

I have a new post to on my blog

http://twidiantari.blogspot.com/

tell me your opinion about it

cheers

petite nyonya said...

hi Zurin, wishing you & your fmly Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri and have a fabulous celebration!!

Unknown said...

You have an awesome blog with different kind of creative dishes..love to follow you....

3 hungry tummies said...

Congratulations Zurin! I almost missed this fabulous dish. Enjoyed the article too. I hope you are having a fabulous hari raya!

pigpigscorner said...

oo Congrats Zurin!!!

Elin said...

Congrats Zurin for being the first food blogger featured in The Star :) This shrimps dish is delish ! Thanks for sharing the recipe. Great photography as usual :) Keep blogging. Life begins at 50 :)))

I love your blog :)

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the feature, Zurin! How exciting! Selamat Hari Raya, Minal Aidil wal-faidzin to you and your family :)

Joyti said...

The dish looks really good. And tamarind is always great in seafood. I wonder if, due to family allergies, I could make it with scallops instead? Hmmm....

Sonia ~ Nasi Lemak Lover said...

Congratulation Zurin!! You deserved this publication..This prawn dish sound very tempting. Ya, I just tried out your Churros recipe, my kids just love it. Thanks for kind sharing.

Toyin O. said...

Looks really yummy!

http://youcanfacetodaybecausehelives.blogspot.com

Clare @ Mrs Multitasker said...

zurin i miss reading your blog! post soon!

pierre said...

these prawns are beautiful Bravo Pierre

Anonymous said...

Well done Zurin! your prawns dish looks so delish!! Love the flavours too.

Joyti said...

Tamarind goes so well with seafood. Your dish looks so lovely, what a vivid color!

La Table De Nana said...

Hope all is well? Long time no see?

Take care~

shaz said...

Well done and congrats Zurin! (Guess what? I used to work at the star, a zillion years ago...in the weekender section). I love prawns and tamarind, but never thought to add the kunyit. Yum! Thanks for taking part again, looking forward to more.

Cheers
Shaz

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