Edition November 2025

I love seafood, especially prawns. Problem is my kids love them just as much. This is a way to stretch prawn meat for a cost effective and crazy delicious meal. I love the combo of coconut and prawns, as it gives a Thai feel to it. It goes very well with garlic bread or a sticky jasmine rice. The best part? You can whip it up in 20 minutes max.

Prawn coconut curry

(SERVES 4 - 6)

Ingredients:

Step: 1

• 3 tablespoons peri-peri oil
• 1/3 cup ghee (clarified butter that is lactose-free)
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
• Handful of curry leaves
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 large garlic clove, crushed
• 1 level teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon Universal Red Magic Masala Paste
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds, crushed
• 1/3 cup desiccated coconut
• 1/2 teaspoon coriander powder
• Pinch of garam masala
• 1 heaped teaspoon tamarind paste
• 1 heaped teaspoon chilli powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 stalk chopped lemongrass (optional)
• 2 onions, grated or blitzed in the food processor

Step 2:

• 2 kg prawns, peeled and deveined
• 2 tomatoes, liquidised
• Pinch of sugar
• 2 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 tin (340 g) coconut cream

To garnish: 

• Chopped coriander
• Squueze of lemon

Method: 

Step 1:

• In a large saucepan on medium heat, add the peri-peri oil and ghee with the cumin seeds and curry leaves.
• Heat gently then add the balance of ingredients except for the onions. Fry the spices and marinade until slightly fragrant.
• Add the onions to the same pot and sauté for about 2-3 minutes.

Step 2:

• In a clean shallow pan, add the prawns and fry in ghee, for 1 minute on each side to sear and release the flavour. Remove the prawns from the pan.
• Now add the tomatoes, sugar and tomato paste. Simmer into a curry.
• Return the prawns to the saucepan once the oil skims to the top.
• Garnish with chopped coriander and a squeeze of fresh lemon.
• Serve with jasmine rice or tur this into a delicious pasta by folding in one packet of freshly boiled al dente linguine plus one ladle of pasta water

About Fehmz: 
Fehmida Jordaan, more affectionately known as “Fehmz”, is one of South Africa’s most vibrant and bubbly social media influencers, sharing her passion for food, travel and lifestyle. A Johannesburg city girl, Fehmz has gained a loyal fanbase across the country and internationally, becoming a fan favourite when she appeared as a celebrity chef on the SABC 3 cooking show, Ready, Steady, Cook. Authentic and real, her vibrant personality brings energy, colour and bold flavours to recipes, influenced by her Muslim heritage. Fehmz loves tea and sharing the simple things in life. She is married with two children. This recipe appears in her debut cookbook, Damn Good Food, launched in October by Jonathan Ball Publishers. It is available for purchase at all local bookstores. Follow @Fehmz on Instagram, Tiktok Facebook and Youtube.