Spanish Prawns With Spicy Lentils Food

SPANISH PRAWNS WITH SPICY LENTILS

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
• Add the onion and chorizo, and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes until the onion softens and the chorizo starts to crisp. Stir in harissa and cook for a further minute.
• Add tomatoes, lentils, capsicum and stock, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes until the mixture has thickened slightly.
• Season the prawns with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, then add to the pan. Cover and cook for 5 minutes or until the prawns are just cooked through.
• Stir in the parsley, then serve with crusty bread and a mixed salad.

GARLIC PRAWNS WITH ASIAN PUY LENTILS

Steps:

• Place the prawns in a shallow dish. Mix together half the finely chopped chilli, lime zest and juice, garlic and oil, then pour over the prawns. Cover and chill for 20 mins to marinate.
• Meanwhile, put the lentils in a pan, cover with twice their depth in water, bring to the boil, then simmer for 15-20 mins until tender. Top up the water if you need to.
• To make the dressing, put the remaining chopped chilli, the soy, honey and vinegar into a small bowl and stir together. Drain the lentils, then tip into a large bowl. Spoon over almost all the dressing while the lentils are hot, tip in the sesame seeds, then mix well.
• Heat a frying pan until really hot. Lift the prawns out of the marinade, then fry for 1-2 mins each side until pink and lightly golden. Pour in the marinade and bring to the boil. Fold the chopped coriander through the lentils, then spoon onto serving plates. Top with the prawns and any pan juices.

SPANISH PRAWNS

Steps:

• (optional) If using whole prawns, remove the shells and heads. I flavour my cooking oil by frying the heads and shells over a moderate heat, squashing the heads to release all of the lovely prawn flavour. Remove the solids with a slotted spoon and discard.
• Combine all the marinade ingredients in a bowl. Enjoy the lovely aroma, then add the prawns. Leave to marinate for half an hour, stirring once or twice to ensure the prawns are well coated.
• Heat the oil in a wide frying pan, and tip the prawns in. Cook until opaque - don't over or under cook the prawns.
• Transfer the prawns to the plates. Add the lemon juice to the pan whilst it is still hot and use to deglaze. Pour the resulting sauce over the top of the prawns.
• Goes well with spicy sweet potato wedges and cauliflower 'couscous'.

ONE-POT PRAWN & LENTIL CURRY

Steps:

• Rinse the lentils a few times, then tip into a bowl, cover with cold water and leave to soak. Meanwhile, heat 2 tbsp oil in a shallow casserole or sauté pan, and cook the onion with a pinch of salt for 10 mins until it starts to turn golden. Add the garlic, ginger, turmeric, chilli powder, cumin seeds and ground coriander, and cook for 3 mins until the mixture is sticky. Stir in the tomato purée and tamarind, if using, followed by the chopped tomatoes. Simmer for 8-10 mins until you have a thick paste.
• Rinse the soaked lentils again until the water runs clear, then drain. Stir the lentils into the tomato base, then tip in 600ml water (use some to swill out the tomato can) and the stock cube. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer, cover and cook, stirring occasionally, for 50 mins-1 hr, topping up with more water if needed, until the lentils are soft and have started to cook down into the sauce. Stir through the garam masala. Can now be left to cool completely, then chilled for up to three days or frozen for up to six months (see below).
• To cook the prawns, reheat the chilled or defrosted frozen sauce in a saucepan until simmering (see below), then tip in the prawns and cook for 5 mins. Season with salt to taste, then drizzle with the rest of the oil and stir briefly. Slice the green chillies and sprinkle these over with a few coriander leaves, then scatter with pickled onions (see recipe below) to serve.

SPICY LENTILS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a dutch oven over medium heat and add onions, ginger, and a dash of salt& pepper.
• Cover and cook for 10 mins until soft.
• Add garlic, curry powder, cumin, coriander and cook for 1 minute.
• Add water, broth, lentils and bay leaves and bring to the boil.
• Cover and reduce heat, simmer for 2 hrs until tender and the liquid is absorbed.
• Remove bay leaves, add the yogurt and tomato puree and simmer 5 minutes until heated through.