Goan Shrimp in Roasted-Coconut Sauce

A flavorful Indian curry featuring tender shrimp in a rich, aromatic sauce made with roasted coconut, warm spices, and tangy tamarind. This Goan-style dish combines the perfect balance of heat from chilies with the sweetness of coconut and depth from whole spices.

4 servings
21 min

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
  • ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1 piece cinnamon stick
  • 4 whole cloves
  • ¼ cup unsweetened dried grated coconut
  • 1 teaspoon hot red-pepper flakes
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 medium onion
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 1 tablespoon ginger
  • 2 whole fresh hot green chiles
  • ¼ cup tamarind concentrate
  • lb large shrimp
  • 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt
  • 2 teaspoons Sherry vinegar
  • 1 piece spice grinder
  • 1 serving basmati rice

Cooking Instructions

  1. 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.

    6 min

  2. 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.

    10 min

  3. 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.

    5 min

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