Prawn Balchao (Traditional fare) Sea food

This is similar to our prawn pickle, but here onions & tomatoes are used to make the gravy.

INGREDIENTS:

Prawns: 500 g preferably small ones

Oil: 200 ml

 Onion seeds/nigella/kalonji: 1 tsp

For the masala:

Red chilli: 10

Onion: 150 g

Tomato: 150 g

Cinnamon: 1 stick

Cardamoms: 3

Cloves: 6

Black pepper: 1 tbsp

Cumin seeds: 1 tsp

Ginger: 2 tbsps

Garlic: 20-25 pods

Vinegar: 150 ml

Sugar: 1 tbsp

Salt

METHOD:

Grind the ingredients for masala using vinegar.

Clean & devein prawns.

Heat oil, add the onion seeds & cleaned prawns. Stir till all the water evaporates & the prawns are partially fried.

Now, add the paste, sauté well till the gravy releases all the oil. Add salt & any remaining vinegar.

Cool well before bottling.

Note: dried prawns can be used too. For this, dry roast the prawns before adding to the masala.