Burmese style Prawns with Tomatoes

This flavourful and aromatic Burmese style Prawns with Tomatoes paired with steamed rice is a perfect winter warmer!

I have absolutely no idea about Burmese cuisine or Myanmar cuisine, as it is known today. So today’s dish, Burmese style Prawns with Tomatoes is a borrowed one from Chef Luke Nguyen, a celebrity chef I admire a lot, both for his recipes and his travel cooking shows.

I watch a lot of travelogues especially if it revolves around food. A couple of my top favourites are Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations, Chef Luke Nguyen and Chef Peter Kuruvita, Food Safari, Spice Route etc….For me, a good cooking show is one where the presenter has a real respect and fascination for the culture, lifestyle and food of the region.

I hate shows where the presenter or host walks around eating anything and everything going ‘mmmmmm delicious’. I mean, seriously….

So while watching one of Chef Nguyen’s shows, I came across this recipe for Burmese style Prawns with Tomatoes. Now I have no idea if this dish is traditional or has he put his own twist on it (he says it’s a traditional one). But what I know for sure is that it is damn delicious!

It’s a basic one, a handful of everyday ingredients that works magic in a wok. The cuisine of Myanmar is slightly on the fiery side with big and bold flavours. So if you are not a fan of chilli, just reduce it a bit. Make sure you get shallots; it would taste way better than with regular onions. And also pound the aromatics in a mortar and pestle if you have one; little things that make a lot of difference to the overall taste.

Though Chef Nguyen used king prawns for his version of Burmese style prawns with tomatoes, I used the regular prawns; much more affordable. But if you are in the mood to splurge or want a bit of drama, get the king prawns and cook with the head and tail bit intact.

Do remember to tag me #thespiceadventuress on social media if you have tried out this delicious Burmese style prawns with tomatoes so that I can see it too. I have a dedicated category to seafood on my blog, so do check out for more such delicious recipes.

Print Recipe

Burmese style Prawns with Tomatoes

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Burmese

Ingredients

• 600 gms prawns; deshelled and deveined
• 6 large shallots if small, use 8-10
• 3 garlic cloves
• 3/4 th inch ginger
• 5 dried chillies soaked in hot water for 15 minutes
• 4 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• ½ tsp chilli paste
• 2 large ripe red tomatoes
• Salt to season
• 2 tsp fish sauce
• 3 sprigs coriander leaves; finely chopped

Instructions

• Marinate the prawns with ½ tsp turmeric powder, salt and fish sauce. Keep aside for 15 minutes.
• Pound the shallots, garlic, ginger and softened dried chillies in a mortar and pestle to a coarse paste. Do use the grinder if you must but strongly recommend the mortar and pestle.
• Heat oil in a pan and add the coarse paste. Sauté on low to medium heat till all the water is absorbed and the oil starts to clear around the edges.
• Add the chilli paste and turmeric powder; continue to sauté on low heat.
• Once the onion mixture has caramelized well, add the tomatoes.
• Add 1/4th cup water and cook for about 10 minutes or till the tomatoes are softened.
• Then add the prawns and cook on high till done.
• Finally, garnish with chopped coriander leaves and serve warm.