Election Day Cravings

I can't bear the tension. I wish I could go back to binting my nails all over again. (And, yes, that is deliberate misspelling on my part. It's the only way that I can protest against the gross violation of the word pundit or pandit, to which I have more than just a casual attachment. Pranked Palin said pundints and then Cindy McCain also did. Why? How difficult is it to say pundit. But apparently, it is a common error.) Since binting my nails is out as is sleeping - despite the call of the cosy comforters - I did the next best thing and made extra spicy shrimp that my brother-in-law had made for us when we visited them last summer. Mine are even spicier! I might need more than over-the-counter Zantac by tonight.

Goa Prawn Masala

Recipe from Prashad by J Inder Singh Kalra


  • 1 lb medium shrimp, uncooked
  • 3 tbsp oil
  • 1/2 medium onion, sliced thin
  • 7-8 dried red chillies
  • 1 tbsp cumin seeds
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
  • 7-8 cloves
  • 1 stick of cinnamon, 1 inch in size
  • 3 tbsp vinegar
  • 1/3 cup water
  1. Heat oil in a kadhai.
  2. Add onions and sweat over medium heat until golden brown.
  3. While the onions are cooking down, blend red chillies, cumin seeds, turmeric powder, cloves, cinnamon and vinegar into a paste. Add only as much water as needed to help your blender along.
  4. Add this paste and salt to the onions and cook, stirring frequently, until the oil separates from the masala.
  5. Add shrimp and stir-fry until the shrimp turn a lovely pink and are cooked just right.
  6. Serve with your favorite bread or on toothpicks as appetizers.

Notes:
  • This is like a quick pickle.
  • I used only 4 dried red chillies of the Byadgi variety as I can't handle more than that.
  • Soak the dried red chillies in warm water for at least 10-15 minutes so that it blends well into a paste.
  • I used frozen tail-on shrimp because I don't have the patience to buy fresh shrimp.
  • I cook them tail-on as I like to crunch through the tail. Discard the tail or buy shrimp that have been cleaned for you.
Arrrgh! I still can't bear the tension so I think I am going to drive to the nearest polling place to see what I can do. I truly hope that by tomorrow we are chanting Obama instead of Oh-bummer.

If you can vote and haven't yet voted, please get out there NOW!