Prawns In Reduced Orange Juice

 The day I made this was a busy morning for me, the previous day a person I respect a great deal asked me to make some small trinkets to surprise her kiddo with. She sent me a lovely pic of her kiddo's dress to let me know the exact colour she wanted.

 I was so pumped up, the adrenalin was just rushing, going haywire and breaking into some form of break dance or whatever dance form the kids of Gen X do these days, as I had just finished a whole set of earrings for another client and without much of a break this new request came in...I love rustic orange/brick red and ran to my box of beads rummaging for beads to coordinate the picture she sent me. I feel I did justice...In the distance I could hear my husband placing his usual order for fish over phone with Supreme Seafood, Chennai.

Seriously, you should see my beaming smile while I eavesdropped on his call...I could just picture my prawns turning this beautiful orange as they blush through the cooking process. So overall excited me, got into beading. Work is always Worship for me!

 When I was almost done with the first request, I heard the door bell ring...the delivery guy with our fish order. So very prompt!

 I sprung into action by then and was getting my prawns all made up. I chose to keep the prawns very orange, a little bit of turmeric, the ginger garlic paste went in, along with  the five spice powder, a little bit of chilly chicken 65 spice powder, salt, finely chopped green chilies, pepper powder and a finely diced onion. Massaged them through very delicately and all of them went into this newly acquired Chatti (vessel) with a tbsp. of coconut oil and as they started to change colour, I added in freshly squeezed orange juice, nearly a glass.

 Put the dish on simmer and allow the juice to reduce and these beauties swim in them getting acquainted with one another in my pretty chatti. Prawns do not require a lot of time to cook, it should not over cook as well as they will turn very rubbery. The vessel on the lowered heat, aids it to cook it the way you want as long as you have your eyes on them throughout.

 I had requested for a few of these prawns to have their tails on as they would indeed make a pretty picture during presentation and blogging, I just had to execute it in a similar manner.Check for seasoning and I did slide in a wedge of two of the fresh oranges that I had squeezed in. They may look or seem weird but it did add to that extra tangy yet sweet flavour. I garnished the dish with a few curry leaves.

 I clicked them in my balcony with the sun at its brightest moment and uploaded the pics on my FB page, I did receive a lot of attention and comments, but it truly was the Chatti that stole the show, The dish was attractive as it was clicked in this chatti....Grrr...Grrr... Everybody wanted a Chatti! Oh how I wish I could have sourced more of them!

They almost resemble some of those vessels we obtain in Kerala in which fish curry is prepared. To me it was a mix of that as well as a tagine sans that funnel. I did notice that even when we switch the flame off, the dish continues to cook in the vessel for some more time.

This black vessel was a gift from a family friend. It belonged to her, when I had visited a restaurant with her, they had served a fish dish in a similar vessel. She noticed how amazed I was...little did I know that she had a similar one stashed back at her home. And as I bid adieu to her and her family, she gifted me this vessel of hers. I was not shocked! Knowing Rekha,she will go to any extend to buy books or things that we like. I wish I had half her observation skills! Thank you Rekha,if ever you go through this :)

 Ta Da! My Prawns in Orange juice is done and it was really tasty!!! I was excited as the jewellery that I was beading was the true inspiration for this curry. As the curry progressed, I took the almost completed bracelets close to my dish and it was  a Wow moment for the child in me!!! Almost leaped off the balcony in glee!!! The colours matched! The dish was a winner, both the husband and I had it piping hot with a bowl of white rice.

I bead at C'est La Vie. It is my closed personal page just as The Inconsistent Chef is. The package reached safely despite the heavy rains that we had been experiencing the past couple of days and I do understand that the child was elated at her mother's surprise gift. I got a very genuine and kind feedback from the mother. Always at this end, that's me.

I love being a part of anybody's happiness especially if their attitude and demeanor are genuine to me as well...and love bringing a smile to any kiddo's face.

Pat on the back, a job well done! Loads of prawn tails were licked clean! Oh yumm!