Elevate your seafood game with this bold and aromatic Sambal Prawn recipe, a vibrant Southeast Asian classic bursting with spicy, tangy, and sweet flavors. Tender, succulent prawns are simmered in a rich sauce made from tomato paste, tamarind, palm sugar, and fish sauce, with fragrant notes of lemongrass, garlic, and fresh chilies. This quick and satisfying dish, ready in just 35 minutes, is perfect for busy weeknights or an impressive addition to a dinner spread. Top with chopped coriander leaves for a fresh touch and serve with steamed rice to soak up every delicious drop of the sambal sauce. Ideal for spice lovers seeking a taste of authentic Asian cuisine.
Begin by cleaning and preparing your prawns. Ensure they are shelled and deveined, then rinse them thoroughly under cold water and set aside.
Heat the vegetable oil in a large pan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the finely chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
Add the minced garlic, sliced red chilies, and the smashed lemongrass stalk to the pan. Stir-fry for 2 minutes until the ingredients are fragrant.
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another minute to deepen the flavor.
Add the tamarind paste, palm sugar, fish sauce, lime juice, and salt to the pan. Stir well to combine.
Pour in the water and allow the mixture to simmer for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld into a thick sauce.
Add the prepared prawns to the sauce and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the prawns are pink and cooked through.
Remove the lemongrass stalk from the pan and discard.
Taste the sambal sauce and adjust the seasoning with additional salt or lime juice if necessary.
Garnish the sambal prawn with freshly chopped coriander leaves before serving.
Serve hot with steamed rice or as part of a larger meal.
Calories |
1028 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 41.2 g | 53% | |
| Saturated Fat | 6.2 g | 31% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 25.2 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 975 mg | 325% | |
| Sodium | 3032 mg | 132% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 49.0 g | 18% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.0 g | 18% | |
| Total Sugars | 28.4 g | ||
| Protein | 125.0 g | 250% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 454 mg | 35% | |
| Iron | 5.1 mg | 28% | |
| Potassium | 2446 mg | 52% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.