Skip to main content

Goan Shrimp in Roasted-Coconut Sauce

3.6

(8)

Image may contain Animal Seafood Shrimp Food Sea Life Dish Meal and Lunch
Goan Shrimp in Roasted-Coconut SauceRomulo Yanes

This South Indian dish—also known as xec-xec—is full of tamarind, cumin, coriander, and roasted coconut. The spices meld with the tomato to form a flavorful sauce that clings to the shrimp.

Cooks' note:

If you can't find tamarind concentrate at your Asian market, use 3 tablespoons tamarind pulp (from a pliable block) softened in 6 tablespoons hot water, stirred into a paste, then forced through a sieve.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

1 teaspoon coriander seeds
1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick, broken into pieces
4 whole cloves
1/4 cup unsweetened dried grated coconut
1 teaspoon hot red-pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 tablespoon grated peeled ginger (use a Microplane)
2 (4-inch) fresh hot green chiles, cut lengthwise into thin shreds, plus seeds
1/4 cup Swad-brand tamarind concentrate (see cooks' note, below)
1 cup finely chopped plum tomato (1 large)
1 1/2 lb large shrimp, peeled
1 teaspoon coarse sea salt such as fleur de sel
2 teaspoons Sherry vinegar or red-wine vinegar
Equipment: an electric coffee/spice grinder
Accompaniment: basmati rice or Indian bread

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Toast coriander, cumin, cinnamon, and cloves in a small heavy skillet over medium heat, shaking skillet, until fragrant and darker (do not burn), 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in coconut, red-pepper flakes, and turmeric and cook, stirring, until coconut is golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and cool completely, then pulse in grinder until finely ground.

    Step 2

    Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers, then sauté onion until golden, 3 to 5 minutes. Add garlic, ginger, chiles, tamarind, and spice mixture and cook, stirring, 30 seconds. Add tomato and cook, stirring, until sauce is thickened, 3 to 4 minutes.

    Step 3

    Toss shrimp with sea salt, then add to sauce and cook, stirring, until just cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in vinegar and season with sea salt.

Read More
Khao niaow ma muang, or steamed coconut sticky rice with ripe mango, is a classic in Thai cuisine—and you can make it at home.
With just a handful of ingredients, this old-fashioned egg custard is the little black dress of dinner party desserts—simple and effortlessly chic.
With rich chocolate flavor and easy customization, this hot cocoa recipe is just the one you want to get you through winter.
Charred chicken breasts coated in a tangy dry rub sit atop a fresh salad of tomatoes, cucumber, and onions.
This frozen cocktail uses instant espresso for a strong flavor and unbeatable convenience.
Make this versatile caramel at home with our slow-simmered method using milk and sugar—or take one of two sweetened condensed milk shortcuts.
Crispy tots topped with savory-sweet sauce, mayonnaise, furikake, scallion, and katsuobushi.
Crunchy and crowd-pleasing, this salad can be prepared in advance and customized to your heart’s content.