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Asam Prawn (Tamarind Prawn)
Try this easy and authentic Malaysian-Nyonya Asam Prawn (Tamarind Prawn) recipe. Succulent prawns in a tangy tamarind sauce make for a delicious and simple dish that captures the essence of Nyonya cooking. Best of all, it requires just 6 ingredients and takes only 15 minutes from prep to dinner table!
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
15 mins
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 166 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Malaysian
Ingredients
- 10 oz (280g) shell-on big prawns
- 2 tablespoons tamarind pulps
- 1/4 cup water 4 tablespoons
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons cooking oil
- 1/2 tablespoon sugar
Instructions
- Rinse the prawns with water and pat them dry with paper towels. Trim the antennae and devein each prawn by making a shallow slit along the top.
- Mix the tamarind pulp with 4 tablespoons of water. Extract the juice by pressing the pulp. Set it aside.
- Add the tamarind juice, tamarind pulp, and salt to the prawns and mix well. Marinate for 10 minutes.
- Heat a wok and add the cooking oil. Once the oil is hot, pan-fry the prawns until they are cooked through and slightly charred. Add the sugar and stir to combine well with the prawns. Serve immediately with steamed rice.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Some recipes call for dark soy sauce, but I prefer to skip it to avoid making the prawns too dark in color and less appealing in presentation.
- You can remove the tamarind pulp before pan-frying the asam prawn, but I like to leave it in as it enhances the flavor. The tamarind pulp is edible and adds a delightful tang to the dish.
Nutrition Information
Serving
4people
Calories
166kcal
(8%)
Carbohydrates
7g
(2%)
Protein
10g
(20%)
Fat
11g
(17%)
Saturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
3g
Monounsaturated Fat
7g
Trans Fat
0.05g
Cholesterol
89mg
(30%)
Sodium
549mg
(23%)
Potassium
130mg
(4%)
Fiber
0.4g
(2%)
Sugar
4g
(8%)
Vitamin A
130IU
(3%)
Vitamin C
0.3mg
(0%)
Calcium
45mg
(5%)
Iron
0.4mg
(2%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 166
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 4people | |
| Calories | 166kcal | 8% |
| Carbohydrates | 7g | 2% |
| Protein | 10g | 20% |
| Fat | 11g | 17% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Trans Fat | 0.05g | 3% |
| Cholesterol | 89mg | 30% |
| Sodium | 549mg | 23% |
| Potassium | 130mg | 3% |
| Fiber | 0.4g | 2% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 130IU | 3% |
| Vitamin C | 0.3mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 45mg | 5% |
| Iron | 0.4mg | 2% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.