Prawns & Malabar cucumber in Spicy Garlicy Gravy - A Mangalorean curry

The most comforting meal for me is "Prawns & Malabar cucumber in Spicy Garlicy Gravy" with red rice. This is a konkani dish which my aunt and mom make best, but over the years I too have mastered the art of making this curry.
Very simple to make and most comforting in every way.


Serves 4
Ingredients:
Prawns - 500 gms
Malabar cucumber - 1 small

Coconut grated fresh/desiccated - 1/2 cup
Dry red chilly - 10
Tamarind - 1 big piece

For seasoning:
Garlic cloves - 8 - crushed along with skin
Oil - 2 tsp
Dry red chilly - 1

Method:
Wash and devien the prawns and keep aside.
Peel the malabar cucumber and cut into bite sized cubes, and boil then in a cooker till the 1st whistle and then switch off the heat.
Wet grind the coconut , dry red chillies and tamarind to a smooth paste. Use water as required.
Take a heavy bottomed pan, add the ground paste and salt and bring to boil, now add the prawns and malabar cucumber cubes and boil for 2-3 minutes till the prawns are cooked. Now switch off the heat. 
Take a seasoning pan, keep on low heat, fry the garlic cloves till lightly golden, then add the dry red chilly, fry for a few seconds and season the curry.

Mix well. Serve hot with steaming rice.
Note: Boiling prawns for more than 3 minutes will make them rubbery so please take care.