Sungta Humman - Prawns in coconut curry a goan speciality

This is the definition of comfort food given by Wikipedia.

Comfort food is typically inexpensive, uncomplicated, and easy to prepare. Many people turn to comfort food for familiarity, emotional security, or special reward.The reasons a dish becomes a comfort food are diverse but often include pleasant associations of childhood.

My husband is from Goa and this is the ultimate comfort food for him. Before marriage to him, i had never tasted this dish. But he used to eat it nearly everyday with rice and fish fry. I would wonder that how could some one eat the same thing every day. But believe me, I tasted it and I was hooked. Now we have changed our eating habits and reduced the consumption of coconut a lot. But i still prepare this once in a while for my dear hubby. The prawns or shrimps that we get here do not have much flavor to them, but if you every get a chance to eat it in India, do try this delicious curry.

This is my entry for Monthly Mingle hosted by Meeta K at her blog http://whatsforlunchhoney.blogspot.com/2008/01/drop-in-decorate-roundup-mm-17.html

 

 

Ingredients
10-12 medium sized prawns/shrimps
1/2 small onion chopped
4-5 pieces of drumsticks - optional
a pinch of hing/Asafoetida

to grind to a smooth paste with a little water:
a small piece of onion
1/2 cup fresh grated coconut (or frozen coconut)
8-10 black peppers
2-3 dry red chilies
1/4th tsp turmeric
2 tsp raw rice
1 tsp tamarind paste or a small piece of tamarind
salt to taste

Coconut oil 3-4 drops optional

Put the prawns, chopped onions and drumsticks in a pan. Add 1/2 cup water and pinch of hing and cook on medium heat without covering for about 10 mins. Grind all the above ingredients to a smooth paste and add to the pan. Cook for another 10 - 15 mins. Check for salt, tamarind and chilies and add more according to taste.
Add the coconut oil, remove from heat and serve hot with rice and fish fry.