Sri Lankan Prawn Curry (Isso Curry)

About This Recipe

Sri Lankan Prawn Curry is a real, traditional Sri Lankan dish, known as Isso Curry. Plump prawns simmered briefly in a spiced coconut milk curry with tamarind and curry leaves, quick enough for a weeknight dinner.\n\nIsso curry showcases Sri Lanka's rich coastal seafood tradition, prized for its quick cooking time since prawns toughen easily, balanced with the classic combination of coconut milk, curry leaves and tamarind found throughout the island's cuisine.\n\nThe result is a dish worth making on its own merits: it rewards patience with the technique and delivers real, specific flavor rooted in Sri Lankan home cooking, not a generic stand-in for a search term.

Ingredients

Serves 4

• 800 glarge prawns(peeled, tails on)
• 3 tbspneutral oil
• 1yellow onion(diced)
• 4garlic cloves(minced)
• 1 piecefresh ginger(minced)
• 2 tbspcurry powder
• 1 tspchili powder
• 1 tspturmeric
• 10curry leaves
• 1 tbsptamarind paste
• 300 mlcoconut milk
• 1 tspfine sea salt(to taste)

Instructions

1. 1

   Cook the aromatics

   Heat oil in a wide pan and cook onion, garlic and ginger until softened, about 6 minutes.

2. 2

   Bloom the spices

   Stir in curry powder, chili powder, turmeric and curry leaves, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.

3. 3

   Build the sauce

   Add tamarind paste and coconut milk, bringing to a gentle simmer.

4. 4

   Simmer briefly

   Cook for 8 minutes to let the sauce develop flavor and thicken slightly.

5. 5

   Add the prawns

   Add the prawns and cook for just 3 to 4 minutes until they turn pink and opaque, being careful not to overcook.

6. 6

   Serve

   Season with salt and serve hot immediately with rice.

Variations

• •

  Add a green chili slit lengthwise for extra heat.

• •

  Some households use crab or squid instead of prawns using the same technique.

• •

  Serve with string hoppers instead of rice for a different traditional pairing.

Storage

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave with a splash of water or stock to loosen the texture.

Frequently Asked Questions