Goan prawns curry is a delicious coconut-based prawns curry belonging to the small state Goa in India. Today I will show you how to make authentic Goan Saraswat prawns curry which is mildly spiced, tangy and gets ready under 30 minutes.
This prawns curry Goan style and steamed rice combo is a comfort food of most Goans. It is very satisfying to eat this fish curry rice along with some fried fish like Mackerel and dry fish salad known as kismoor.
There are separate ways to make this prawns curry. Every family has their own version of making it. The prawn recipe that I explained today belongs to the Gaud Saraswat Brahmin(GSB)community of Goa. We call it sungtache hooman in Konkani (our native language). Sungta means prawns and hooman means fish curry.
We also make prawns curry by adding several types of vegetables like drumsticks, ladyfingers, radish or sour fruits like raw mango, hog plums or star fruits. Below is a list of different versions of prawn’s curry made in Goa.
Types of prawn’s curry in Goa:
- Goan prawns curry with drumstick
- Goan prawns curry with radish
- Goan prawns curry with ladyfingers
- Goan prawns curry with raw mango
- Prawns curry Goan style with radish and raw mango
Jump To:
Let us see the ingredients which goes in making prawn curry Goan style:
- Prawns / Shrimp: Prawns are the star ingredient in this fish curry recipe. You may add shrimp if prawns are not available. The taste of the curry will remain the same.
For Gravy:
- Coconut: Coconut is added in this prawn curry recipe. Use freshly grated and not dedicated coconut. Also do not use frozen grated coconut. If using frozen grated coconut, then thaw it to room temperature and then add warm water while grinding to make gravy.
- Spices: Different spices like black peppercorns, coriander seeds, dry red chilies, turmeric powder, and tamarind is used in making this delicious recipe. If spices are not available, then use spice powders accordingly.
- Onion: Little burnt onion used to provide tadka or seasoning to the prawn curry.
- Oil: Little amount of oil is needed preferably coconut oil to give a tadka of burnt onion to the curry. If coconut oil is not available, then use any other cooking oil.
For marinating the prawns: We apply different spice powders like turmeric powder and red chili powder. Also, little amount of salt is added while marination.
How to make authentic Goan prawns curry?
For marination:
- De-shell the prawns. Remove the thick black thread that is there in the middle of the prawn’s back.
- Apply the turmeric powder, red chili powder and salt. Leave this for minimum 15-20 minutes.
If you want to marinate for longer time, then keep the marinated prawns in the refrigerator. - For the gravy:
Grind, grated coconut, turmeric powder, tamarind, black peppercorns, coriander, and red chilies by adding ½ cup water to make thin smooth gravy. - In a saucepan, add 1/4 cup water and prawns. Add 2 tablespoon ground gravy from the mixer-grinder. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Then pour in the rest of gravy from the mixer and stir. Add ½ cup water and cook on a medium flame for 5-8 minutes.
- Switch on the gas and in a tadka pan, add oil preferably coconut oil. Once the oil gets heated add chopped onion and fry till it gets slightly burnt. After onion gets burnt, give a tadka of burnt onion to the gravy and close the lid.
- Add salt to taste. Remember that the prawns were marinated with salt. So, add only 1/4 teaspoon salt first. Taste and add more if needed.
Goan Prawns Curry
Ingredients
- 15-20 Prawns / Shrimp
For Gravy:
- 1/2 cup coconut grated or small sized half coconut
- 1 marble sized ball tamarind
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 2-3 dry red chilies / byadgi chilies / shepda in Konkani
- 5 black peppercorns
- 1/2 teaspoon coriander seeds
- 1/2 onion chopped
- 1 teaspoon oil
For marinating the prawns:
- 1 tablespoon turmeric powder
- 1/2 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
For marination:
- De-shell the prawns. Remove the thick black thread that is there in the middle of the prawn’s back.
- Apply the turmeric powder, red chili powder and salt. Leave this for minimum 15-20 minutes.
- If you want to marinate for longer time, then keep the marinated prawns in the refrigerator.
For the gravy:
- Grind, grated coconut, turmeric powder, tamarind, black peppercorns, coriander, and red chilies by adding ½ cup water to make thin smooth gravy.
- In a saucepan, add 1/4 cup water and prawns. Add 2 tablespoon ground gravy from the mixer-grinder. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Then pour in the rest of gravy from the mixer and stir. Add ½ cup water and cook on a medium flame for 5-8 minutes.
- Switch off the gas and keep it aside.
- Switch on the gas and in a tadka pan, add oil preferably coconut oil. Once the oil gets heated add chopped onion and fry till it gets slightly burnt. After onion gets burnt, give a tadka of burnt onion to the gravy and close the lid.
- Add salt to taste. Remember that the prawns were marinated with salt. So, add only 1/4 teaspoon salt first. Taste and add more if needed.
Video
Notes
Pin this image on Pinterest.
Note: The recipe was published on 7th Apr 2017 and is republished.
Kitchen Rhythms
Looks delicious Raksha…,
Arjunan Akilandeswari
Yummy fish curry
Hamaree Rasoi
Delicious and lovely looking Goan Fish curry.
Deepa
Beena.stephy
Delicious prawns curry
Priya Suresh
Slurp, cant resist to this rich looking fish curry.
Raksha
thanks everyone
Deep Illusion
Hey this looks delicious. I am going to try. .I have a question. .when you say add 2 tbsp of gravy to the prawns ..do you mean the masala of gravy ? Or do we make the gravy before ..not very clear. .also after the prawns step you say to simmer the gravy that's why it's little confusing . Do you mean add water to the mandala for gravy ? If you can clarify it would be very helpful
Raksha Kamat
Hi Deepin illusion,
The changes have been made to understand better.
Please check n let me know if there are any confusions.
nandoos kitchen
looks delicious!
Christine
I’m a big fan of seafood and should really learn to make seafood curry. Thanks for this recipe!
Raksha Kamat
Yup, do try. It’s easy 🙂
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious
That really does look delicious! Your brother and his wife are so lucky to have you cook for them!
Raksha Kamat
Yes Dorothy, indeed. I love cooking for my family 🙂
Kavey at Kavey Eats
I love this kind of fish curry too, I think it’s my favourite seafood curry. Lovely looking photos too!
Raksha Kamat
Thanks Kavey
Michelle | The Last Food Blog
This looks so tasty!
Raksha Kamat
Thanks Michelle
Amanda
This sounds delicious. I love the color…very earthy. I really need to make curries more often.
Raksha Kamat
Thanks Amanda 🙂