Election Day Cravings

I can't bear the tension. I wish I could go back to binting my nails all over again. (And, yes, that is deliberate misspelling on my part. It's the only way that I can protest against the gross violation of the word pundit or pandit, to which I have more than just a casual attachment. Pranked Palin said pundints and then Cindy McCain also did. Why? How difficult is it to say pundit. But apparently, it is a common error.) Since binting my nails is out as is sleeping - despite the call of the cosy comforters - I did the next best thing and made extra spicy shrimp that my brother-in-law had made for us when we visited them last summer. Mine are even spicier! I might need more than over-the-counter Zantac by tonight.

Goa Prawn Masala

Recipe from Prashad by J Inder Singh Kalra


  • 1 lb medium shrimp, uncooked
  • 3 tbsp oil
  • 1/2 medium onion, sliced thin
  • 7-8 dried red chillies
  • 1 tbsp cumin seeds
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
  • 7-8 cloves
  • 1 stick of cinnamon, 1 inch in size
  • 3 tbsp vinegar
  • 1/3 cup water
  1. Heat oil in a kadhai.
  2. Add onions and sweat over medium heat until golden brown.
  3. While the onions are cooking down, blend red chillies, cumin seeds, turmeric powder, cloves, cinnamon and vinegar into a paste. Add only as much water as needed to help your blender along.
  4. Add this paste and salt to the onions and cook, stirring frequently, until the oil separates from the masala.
  5. Add shrimp and stir-fry until the shrimp turn a lovely pink and are cooked just right.
  6. Serve with your favorite bread or on toothpicks as appetizers.

Notes:
  • This is like a quick pickle.
  • I used only 4 dried red chillies of the Byadgi variety as I can't handle more than that.
  • Soak the dried red chillies in warm water for at least 10-15 minutes so that it blends well into a paste.
  • I used frozen tail-on shrimp because I don't have the patience to buy fresh shrimp.
  • I cook them tail-on as I like to crunch through the tail. Discard the tail or buy shrimp that have been cleaned for you.
Arrrgh! I still can't bear the tension so I think I am going to drive to the nearest polling place to see what I can do. I truly hope that by tomorrow we are chanting Obama instead of Oh-bummer.

If you can vote and haven't yet voted, please get out there NOW!

23 comments:

Priya said...

hehe, I am surprised at everyone in my office being so silent. I have no role to play but am excited enough to be checking all the news sites every 30mins :))

Unknown said...

Great looking beauties..perfect appetizers!

Unknown said...

Probably I will vote in next election but I am still an independent after Hillary's exit. Although I am not a huge fan of Ron Paul take a look at his 2006 speech
http://www.house.gov/paul/congrec/congrec2006/cr021506.htm
and also watch this video about the economics of the world to know the greatness and defects of American economy
Do watch it at leisure as it is a 55 min video
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4343898391323537541

Shilpa said...

I can't vote but I am excited about the election too :).

musical said...

Talk about cravings! I just finished lunch (or dunch?? dinner+lunch. i just made a new word, thank you!). I know, too late for either!

Not that i can vote, but this election has gotten everyone excited!

Anything masaledar is good as a stress buster. I just has a super-delish, spicylicious falafel-pita :).

Anjali Koli said...

Manisha if you are a prawn lover try my Tallele Vale Sode. It is a prawn mince. I have been a veg for more than 2 decades but still recommending as that use to be my favorite:). Onions, prawns and spice are enough to lead anyone to bliss.

Nirmala said...

oh dear! Shrimps and prawns are my favoite and I always demand piping hot rice with a prawn fry and rasam when I have fever! And now I am having a bad cold I want these right now! You can check a spicier version of prawn fry (u can use shrimp too) at my blog! Happy munching! (Shrimps are better than nails :))

Anita said...

O-ba-ma, O-ba-ma! :-D
Congratulations!

Pelicano said...

I had no idea that the tail-shell could be eaten! I've used shrimp-shells for stock, ya, but...you're serious? I won't die from a punctured whatever?

While I was reading the recipe I was thinking indeed that it runs like a pickle recipe...the only big difference, in that case, being that the shrimp would be fried fairly dry so it would soak up the acidic khaar. I think. I haven't made a seafood pickle yet. Thinking about it. Salmon. Terribly Goan, eh?

Finla said...

You can start chanting now. Here even all my friends and family were saying hope obama wins.
At least you had this delicious goa prawn nibbles to nibble on.

indosungod said...

Manisha! Even if you had started binting your nails you would have stopped long time ago :) With Prize that Colorado joined in the Blue Fun as well.

Sheetal Kiran said...

Just luvvverly (since we are deliberately misspelling names ;) ... Yayyyyy, Obama is the president elect!! I am sooo excited!

Garden Dreamer said...

Congratulations to you, me and everyone living in the United States of America. I couldnt vote for him but sure rooted for him.

Rachna said...

yeah obama still won!! who cares about palin! but i hear you, i would be pissed off too if I were in your shoes

Kitt said...

Yum1 And no more nail-biting.

Cynthia said...

If I knew this was what you were going to make for election-day, I would have come over.

Anjali Koli said...

Riddle me this # 3~ is out

Tic toc tic toc :)

http://annaparabrahma.blogspot.com/2008/11/riddle-me-this-3.html

Mandira said...

perfect for watching the results come in... we satisfied our late night cravings with Colbert's Americone Dream icecream :)

Roochi said...

hi, looks great, my husb loves shrimps. i shall make this dish specially for him as i dont eat shrmip. thanks roo
www.roochis.blogspot.com

Stella Devine said...

You have such a great turn of phrase!

And you cooked my favourite - Goan prawns, yum!

Hey, my new website is at fairstar.wordpress.com
Please stop by when you have time.

Nirmala said...

it doesn't mean that u shud blog only for NoBloWriMo! missing u.

jesse said...

Whooaaa, these look amazing!! I'll have a couple dozen to go, please. =D

seoindia4u said...

Do you know how to make Coconut milk rice?