Coconut Prawns in Coriander Rice

Difficulty: Easy | Prep Time: 15 mins | Cook Time: 30-40 mins | Yield: 2 servings

This simple and light recipe serves as a one item meal, ideal for dinner. One may also serve it as separate dishes with some accompaniments.

For the Prawns:

INGREDIENTS
10-12 Prawns*
½ cup Shrimps*
½ large Capsicum
1½ cups Coconut Milk (Thick)
2 large Garlic Pods
½ Lemon
¼ tsp Red Chillie Powder
2 tbsp Oil

DIRECTIONS

1. Remove the shells of the prawns, keeping its tails intact. De-vein and clean them well.
   
2. De-vein and clean the shrimps as well. The shells should be removed fully in this case.
3. Thinly slice the capsicum and grate the garlics.
4. Marinate the prawns and the shrimps with the garlic and the juice of the lemon for 5-10 mins.
5. In a pan heat the oil and add the marinated prawns and shrimps. Cook on hig flame till water evaporates.
6. Add the capsicums and fry for a while till the capsicums softens.
7. Now add the coconut milk, chillie powder and a little salt according to taste.
8. Cook for a minute or two and remove from flame. If you use a light coconut milk then keep the heat on till you get a creamy gravy.
   

For the Rice:

INGREDIENTS
2 cups Rice (Ideally Basmati Rice)
2 tbps Coriander Leaves**
3 tbsp Butter
¼ tsp Turmeric Powder
Salt to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. Wash the rice and put it in a microwave safe bowl.
2. Add 4 cups of water.
3. Now add the turmeric powder, butter, coriander leaves and salt (about 2 tsp).
4. Cook it for 20 mins. Once done, stir the rice lightly with a fork.
5. To cook in a pressure cooker, melt the butter in the cooker, add the turmeric powder.
6. Then add the rice and the salt. Cook till the water eveporates and the rice is lightly fried. Add water as required depending on the type of rice used. Cook till done. Stir in the coriander leaves once the rice is cooked.

How to Serve

Now take a full plate and arrange half the rice in the shape of a Donut. Pour half of the prawn preparation. Repeat with another plate.

NOTES
*You may use only Prawns. In that case use around 18-20 of them
**The rice can be made without coriander leaves as well. Simple buttered rice also gives a lovely taste.

Fried Rice

Difficulty: Easy | Prep Time: 30-45 mins | Cook Time: 15 mins | Yield: 3-4 servings

INGREDIENTS
2 ½ cups Rice
1 Medium Sized Carrot
½ cup Boiled Peas
½ cup Chopped spring Onions*
2 Eggs
½ cup Dressed shrimps
1 tbsp Vinegar
1 tbsp Chillie Sauce
2 tbsp Soya Sauce
1 tsp Pepper Powder
4 tbsp Oil
Salt to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. Cook the rice with a little salt and leave it aside. Ensure that the grains of the rice are not sticking to each other.
2. Peel the carrot and wash. Cut it into fine long julienne.
3. Take a large pan and add ½ tbsp of oil. Beat the eggs with a little salt and pour it into the pan. Now scramble the eggs and leave them aside.
4. In the same pan, add another ½ tbsp of oil and add the shrimps to it. Again add a little salt and fry the shrimps. Leave them aside.
5. Add the rest of the oil and then add the carrots and spring onions. Add a little salt again and saute for a while. Now add the peas and mix the vegetables properly.
   
6. Now reduce the flame to low and add the sauces, pepper powder and the vinegar and then the rice. Mix well.
7. Now add the eggs and the shrimps and stir till all the ingredients are consistently mixed into the rice.
   
8. Check the salt and add if required according to taste.
9. Serve Hot with accompaniments.

NOTES
*You may add onions instead of spring onions or do away with it totally.