This recipe came from one of my new cookbooks called The Steamy Kitchen written by Jaden Hair. Jaden also has a website of the same name and I was looking for the recipe on her site because it’s so much easier just copying and pasting a recipe than typing it from scratch. My family really loved this.
2 stalks scallions, cut into 2″ lengths
1 tablespoon minced garlic
3 tablespoons Cognac (Brandy or Rum make good substitutes)
1 teaspoon kosher salt (1/2 tsp table salt)
3/4 teaspoon sugar (omit sugar if you are using sweetened coconut flakes)
few whole small Thai bird chili (if you like very spicy, chop)
1/4 cup grated coconut (try to find unsweetened coconut, but sweetened will work just fine)
2 tablespoons butter
Directions
1. Toast the coconut: In a dry, nonstick skillet, toast the coconut until golden brown.
2. Fry the prawns: In a large saute pan or wok, heat 2T cooking oil on high heat. When smoking, add the prawns. Cook only half way. Timing depends on size of your prawns. When they just start to change color, remove and set aside.
3. Stir-fry: In same pan or wok, you should have some cooking oil left over. If not, add 1T. When hot, add the chili, scallions and garlic. Fry for 10 seconds until fragrant. Add Cognac, butter, salt, sugar. Reduce just a bit – you should have a nice sauce that will coat the prawns. Add the prawns back in the pan. Fry until prawns are cooked through. Again, timing depends on size of prawns. For small = 1 minute; medium = 1.5 minutes; large = 2 minutes; Turn off heat, add the toasted coconut and immediately serve. Serve it with Apricot Sweet Chilli Sauce (recipe follows).
Fred would go nuts over these!
I love her cookbook too and we also tried this before. It’s even better when we added more chilies.
Dear Newyorkfoodie, these Malaysian coconut prawns look incredible, and delicious! OMG! Incredible presentation. Loved your site, very professional. Photos were crisp and clear. Recipes concise and easy to read. I shall be back for a bite of more.
Thank you for sharing.
Cheers, Gaby
You can visit me at http://ptsaldari.posterous.com