Ingredients

• 1 kg - prawns, cleaned, shelled and heads removed
• 4 tbsp - Mustard paste
• 1 tsp - turmeric paste
• 1/2 tsp- chilli paste
• 120g - mustard oil or a little more if liked
• 6-8 green chillies
• Salt to taste
• 8 banana leaves
• A few toothpicks

How to Make Prawns cooked in banana leaves

• Place the banana leaves cross-wise alternatively on an iron tawa/griddle.
• Mix together thoroughly the prawns and the next five ingredients.
• Add salt to taste and mix again.
• Pour prawn mixture carefully into centre of banana leaves.
• Fold leaves over towards centre and pin together to form a packet.
• Place tawa over very high heat.
• The heat will slowly colour the outer layers of banana leaves and at the same time cook the prawns.
• After 15 mins, take the tawa off the fire, undo the packet and with spoon carefully turn prawns over.
• Seal the packet with toothpicks again, replace on tawa over high heat and cook yet another 10-15 mins.
• Remove the banana leaf packet on to a platter, undo and carefully tuck the overhanging ends of the leaf under and serve.
• The banana leaf can be substituted by foil.
• And the dish can be baked in a medium hot oven.
• Large sized frozen shrimps may be substituted for prawn.
• Care should be taken to completely defrost the shrimps and squeeze out any excess moisture.