This Goan prawn curry with lady’s finger aka okra is a simple coconut-based curry made with a few ingredients! Pair it with steamed rice and a simple stir-fry veggie side dish for an amazing, soul-satisfying Goan fare!
Bendem is okra/lady’s finger, sungtam is prawns/shrimps and kodi is curry in the Konkani language. This is a simple, delicious and mildly spiced curry, consisting of fresh coconut and aromatic spices, well balanced with the sourness from the tamarind. The addition of okra not only adds a textural element to this dish but also adds an amazing subtle flavor that cannot be missed! And the shrimps, so juicy and succulent, after absorbing all those beautiful aromatics! Simply yummmm!
If you love okra, then do try out this simple and quick recipe! It’s best paired with Goan red boiled rice, which is supposed to be healthier than the normal white rice, as the red rice is not processed, keeping all the nutrients intact. However, regular rice and bread are great accompaniments too!
I love having this curry along with some hot, steamed rice, a piece of semolina coated, fried pomfret/ king fish/ mackeral and a simple stir-fry veggie. This curry taste even better the next day as the flavors deepen. People often have it for breakfast with some ‘pao’ (bread)!
The recipe below is the way my mum in law makes it with minimal spices, yet absolutely no compromise in the flavors! My mum makes a slightly different version which I will be sharing in the coming months too 🙂
Table of Contents
STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS TO MAKE GOAN PRAWN CURRY WITH LADY’S FINGER
INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup freshly grated coconut
2-3 Kashmiri chillies/1 teaspoon Kashmiri chilly powder
1 tablespoon coriander seeds
1 big garlic clove/ 2-3 medium garlic cloves
A small ball of tamarind
1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
8-10 large shrimps, cleaned and deveined, you can add more
100 gms/ 4 oz okra
1/4 cup of coconut milk
1 tablespoon coconut oil/ vegetable oil
1/2 cup finely chopped onions
salt to taste
pinch of sugar
DIRECTIONS
1.Apply salt to cleaned and deveined shrimp , and set aside for 15 minutes.
2.Wash the okra well, wipe it dry with a clean napkin, trim the edges cut into 1 to 1 & 1/2 inch pieces and set aside.
- In your food processor/ mixer, add the grated coconut, red chillies, coriander seeds, garlic cloves, tamarind, and turmeric and make a smooth paste using a sufficient amount of water.
4.Heat oil in a thick bottomed pan, add onions and saute on medium heat until translucent.
5.Add the ground masala paste and saute until the masala starts bubbling and oozing out oil.
6.Rinse the grinder jar with water (about 1/2 cup). Add this to the above mixture, add another cup of water or adjust as per desired consistency of the curry. Let everything come to a boil.
7.Add the cut okra pieces and cook for another 10 minutes on medium low heat or until okra is tender.
8.Add the marinated shrimps and cook until they are done, about 5 minutes. Check for seasoning, since we already added salt to the prawns, if required add more salt, a pinch of sugar to balance out everything.
9.Add coconut milk and let the gravy come to a boil. Done. Serve with steamed rice.
NOTES:
1.Post updated with new images.
2.You can skip the coconut milk, and increase more of the freshly grated coconut.
3.When I first published this post, I had mentioned sautéing the shrimps after sautéing the onions. However, I’ve changed that step and added the shrimps towards the end just after the okra is almost done. I prefer the shrimps to be just about done, hence added it last. If you prefer to fry it along with the onions, you may do so.
HOW TO MAKE GOAN PRAWN CURRY WITH OKRA?
Goan Prawn Curry With Lady’s Finger
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup freshly grated coconut
- 2-3 Kashmiri chillies or 1 tsp Kashmiri chilli powder
- 1 tbsp coriander seeds
- 1 big garlic clove/2-3 medium garlic cloves
- A small ball of tamarind
- 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
- 8-10 large shrimps, cleaned and deveined, you can add more
- 100 grams /4 oz lady's finger (okra)
- 1/4 cup of coconut milk
- 1 tbsp coconut oil/vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onions
- salt to taste
- pinch of sugar
Instructions
- Apply salt to cleaned and deveined shrimp , and set aside for 15 minutes.
- Wash the okra well, wipe it dry with a clean napkin, trim the edges cut into 1 to 1 & 1/2 inch pieces and set aside.
- In your food processor/ mixer, add the grated coconut, red chillies, coriander seeds, garlic cloves, tamarind, and turmeric and make a smooth paste using a sufficient amount of water.
- Heat oil in a thick bottomed pan, add onions and saute on medium heat until translucent.
- Add the ground masala paste and saute until the masala starts bubbling and oozing out oil.
- Rinse the grinder jar with water (about 1/2 cup), add this to the above mixture. Add another cup of water or adjust as per the desired consistency of the curry. Let everything come to a boil.
- Add the cut okra pieces and cook for another 10 minutes on medium low heat or until okra is tender.
- Add the marinated shrimps and cook until they are done, about 5 minutes. Check for seasoning, since we already added salt to the prawns, if required add more salt, a pinch of sugar to balance out everything.
- Add coconut milk and let the gravy come to a boil. Done. Serve with steamed rice.
Notes
I would love to hear from you, please feel free to share your feedback with photos and suggestions to me at [email protected]
You can also follow me on :
Regards,
Freda
Linda Fernandes says
Woooooow one of my favourite curry with Sole fish fried with Rava, ufff outstanding combo, just love and write up dear.
Freda @ Aromatic essence says
Thanks dearie ! Waiting for your mouth watering posts 🙂
Himali Shah says
The way you present & your pcitures… Class apart <3
Freda @ Aromatic essence says
Thanks so much Himali !!But I still have lots to learn as far as food photography is concerned 🙂 taking small steps ! Thanks so much for the encouragement ?
Himali Shah says
I admire the way you photograph. You can join instagram 🙂 it’s a wonderful community
Freda @ Aromatic essence says
Thanks dear ! I had and deleted the app later coz my phone memory was too full, will get it again !
themissshweta says
That’s my fav dish Freda!! I love the flavour & texture that okra brings to the whole dish! Lovely recepie! 🙂
Freda @ Aromatic essence says
Thanks so much dear 🙂 seeing you after so long ! Hope all is good !
themissshweta says
Yeah Freda its been really a long time!! I was just overloaded with work but now planning to be regular on wp no matter what:)
Freda @ Aromatic essence says
🙂
Rox says
Heyo, thanks for the recipe.. made it yesterday and it reminded me of d Goan touli taste of the curry.😋⭐⭐
Freda Dias says
Awesome! Glad to know, thanks for leaving a feedback 🙂
mypinchofyum says
Lovely prawns curry. 🙂
Freda @ Aromatic essence says
Thanks a bunch Priti 🙂
Loretta says
Ha ha love the konkani words, I can understand most words but can’t speak it. This has to be a favorite though. I just made salmon with okra the other day with similar spices. Do you actually buy a full coconut and grind it accordingly? Wow, I’ve never tried that. I know they do in Goa though.
Freda @ Aromatic essence says
Haha! Thanks so much Loretta 🙂 I learnt Konkani from my grandma but can’t speak fluently , I understand most of it though! My mom is from the north Goa and dad from south Goa, Konkani differs to a great extent in both these regions! I don’t understand much oh the southern Konkani . About the coconut , yes I do get the whole coconut , and grate it . Sometimes I just scoop out the flesh,break them into smaller pieces and grind them or else I grate it , I got this grater from Mumbai meant for grating coconuts .. I grate and freeze them in ziplock bags, comes quite handy 🙂 a tedious task , I know !
Tanushree Ghosh says
Wow!! looks so yummy.Love goan delicacies, okra and shrimp of course.I’ll definitely try this and let you know 🙂
Freda @ Aromatic essence says
Thanks Tanushree! Goan delicacies are truly delicious indeed! Would love to know your feedback in case you try this 🙂
Once Upon a Spice says
Another beauty, Freda…amazing!
Freda @ Aromatic essence says
Thanks for your kind words Lana 🙂
youthfoodblog says
Like the picture for the ingredients! Very creative and illustrative!
Freda @ Aromatic essence says
Thanks for the appreciation Chris 🙂
Love Served Daily says
This looks very interesting
Freda @ Aromatic essence says
Thanks Ritu 🙂
Rumiya Murtazina says
Looks amazing
Freda @ Aromatic essence says
Thank you Rumiya 🙂
Lina says
Looks super delicious:) I love goan cuisine!
Freda @ Aromatic essence says
Thanks Lina 🙂
Lina says
You are a goan is it?
Freda @ Aromatic essence says
Yep Lina! Lived in Mumbai though , visited Goa only during vacations.
Lina says
That is grt
Nandini says
I would love to have some Freda 🙂
Freda @ Aromatic essence says
Sure Nandini 🙂 you make some amazing Goan food that I would love to have too 🙂
noorainsobiya says
Wow… Do you think it would be as good with chicken??
Freda @ Aromatic essence says
Thanks Noorain 🙂 na ! I wouldn’t recommend this with chicken , this is more suitable for fish or prawns . For Goan chicken curries more whole spices are used in the masala . Will surely share those soon 🙂
noorainsobiya says
I’m sure the hubby would enjoy this a lot.. He’s such a fish fan.. ??
As for me.. Il just wait for the forthcoming posts!! ❤️❤️
Freda @ Aromatic essence says
Aww ! Yes he definitely will 🙂
Lynz Real Cooking says
Wow looks and sounds so good! I love the blend of tastes, chili coconut yumm
Freda @ Aromatic essence says
thanks Lynn 🙂