Prawn Vindaloo (Hot Prawns)

1 tb Garlic;sliced

1 tb Hot red chili peppers, fresh

-sliced 2 ts Cumin seed; ground

1 ts Mustard seeds

1 ts Black peppercorns

1 ts Tumeric; ground

1/4 c Cider vinegar

1/4 c Corn oil

1 c Onion slices;ground to paste

2 lb Prawns; or large shrimp

-peeled & deveined 1/2 c -Water

1 ts -Salt

Grind the garlic, chili, cumin seed, mustard seeds, peppercorns & tumeric together in a processor with 2 Tbsp of vinegar to act as a lubricant. Heat the oil in a pan and fry the onion paste over moderately low heat until light brown. Add the ground spices and continue to fry the mixture until it turns reddish, with a `crumbled` look. Add the prawns & cook, stirring frequently for 10 minutes. Add the balance of the vinegar, the water and salt and continue to simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes more. There will be very little sauce. Serve warm VARIATION: The prawn vindaloo can be prepared as a proper pickle, which means that it is a bottled (or refrigerated condiment) used now and then with other foods as an adjunct to the meat or fish dishes being served. Should you wish to prepare this as a pickle, follow the instructions, but omit the onions & and the water & cook the prawns separately in 2 Tbsp of oil before adding them to the mixture. SERVES: 6 SOURCE: _The Varied Kitchens of India_, the Parsi Kitchen chapter posted by Anne MacLellan