* seeded or partially seeded (reduce or increase amount for a milder
or spicier flavor)
Do yourself a favor and use canned coconut milk in this recipe. It's
a heck of a lot easier and probably better than what you would
produce using a fresh coconut.
Process the grated fresh coconut or the desiccated coconut with 3 1/2
cups hot water in a food processor. Drape a piece of folded
cheesecloth over a bowl and pour the coconut mixture into the
cheesecloth. Strain the liquid, squeezing the pulp to extract as much
milk as possible. This is thick coconut milk; set aside.
Pour 2 1/2 cups hot water over the coconut in the cheesecloth and
squeeze to extract more milk into another bowl. This second extract
is thin coconut milk. Set aside.
If you are using canned coconut milk, skip this step and proceed with
the recipe.
Grind the chile peppers, cumin and coriander seeds in a spice grinder
and set aside.
Process the thick coconut milk (or canned coconut milk) with the
ground spices, turmeric, ginger and garlic; set aside.
Heat the oil in a heavy, shallow pan. Add the onions and cook until
the edges begin to turn almost reddish brown (about 15 minutes),
stirring frequently. Add the coconut-spice mixture and cook until
the liquid evaporates and oil separates from the paste. Cook this
paste for 10 more minutes, stirring constantly.
Stir in the reserved thin coconut milk (or 2 cups water, if you have
used canned coconut milk) and let simmer until reduced to a creamy
sauce. Add salt to taste.
Stir the prawns into the sauce and cook a few minutes until the
prawns are just cooked. (Be careful not to overcook). Serve with
steamed rice.
Grated fresh coconut: Pierce the eyes of a fresh coconut and drain
off the liquid. Put the coconut in a preheated 375F oven for 20
minutes. Break it open with a hammer and separate the meat from the
hard shell in large pieces. Break the pieces into smaller ones and,
using a vegetable peeler, peel the brown skin off the meat. Grate
the coconut meat in a food processor.
Desiccated coconut: May be found in Indian or Chinese stores.
