Caril de Camarão (Mozambican Coconut Prawn Curry)
Local name: Caril de camarão
In short: Prawns simmered in a coconut milk sauce with onion, garlic, ginger, tomato, mild curry spice and lime. A Mozambican coastal classic for rice. It takes about 45 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Total
- 45 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 630 kcal
Caril de camarão is the prawn curry of the Mozambican coast, where Indian spice traders left a mark on local cooking. Onion, garlic, ginger and tomato are cooked with a little curry powder, then simmered in coconut milk to make a sauce that is creamy, fragrant and only gently hot. The prawns go in last, so they stay tender. A squeeze of lime at the end brightens everything. Serve it over rice, with piri-piri sauce for those who want more heat.
Instructions
- Toss the prawns with the 1/2 teaspoon of salt and keep them in the fridge.
- Heat the oil in a wide pan over medium heat. Cook the onion for 6 minutes until soft and golden, then add the garlic and ginger for 1 minute.
- Stir in the curry powder and turmeric and cook for 1 minute. Add the tomatoes and chili and cook for 5 minutes, until the tomatoes break down.
- Pour in the coconut milk and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Simmer gently for 10 minutes, until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Add the prawns and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, turning once, until they are pink, opaque and curled.
- Take the pan off the heat, stir in the lime juice and coriander and serve over rice.
Tips
- Prawns toughen quickly. Add them last and take the pan off the heat as soon as they turn pink and curl.
- Stir in 2 tablespoons of finely ground cashews with the coconut milk for a thicker, sweeter sauce.
Questions and answers
Can I use frozen prawns?
Yes. Thaw them overnight in the fridge or in cold water for 20 minutes, then pat them very dry before adding them to the sauce.
How spicy is caril de camarão?
It is mild to medium. The curry powder is warming rather than hot, and the chili is optional. Piri-piri sauce on the side lets everyone add their own heat.
What do you serve with it?
White rice is the classic partner. Xima, crusty bread and a tomato and onion salad also work well.
How long does it take to make Caril de Camarão (Mozambican Coconut Prawn Curry)?
About 45 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Caril de Camarão (Mozambican Coconut Prawn Curry)?
About 630 kcal per serving, with 39 g of protein, 51 g of carbohydrates and 28 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 630 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 39 g |
| Carbohydrates | 51 g |
| Fat | 28 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 920 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
