Choo Chee Prawns

If you are looking for a beautiful fresh, vibrantly flavoured Thai style dish that is as fast to make as getting a take away, then this is the dish for you!

So let's turn this......

Into this.....

Choo Chee Prawns

Now the recipes says it serves 4 - I am not going to lie to you - if this was served with another dish - maybe - but with approximately 24 prawns to the kilo - you do the math!!!

2 tsp sesame oil
1 onion, chopped finely
3 cloves crushed garlic
1 long red chilli, finely chopped
1kg green prawns peeled, tail left on
1 tbs sambal oelek
400ml coconut milk
2 tsp soy sauce
2 tsp fish sauce
2 tsp oyster sauce
20 fresh curry leaves
1 bunch fresh coriander, leaves picked
1 bunch thai basil, leaves picked


Jasmine rice to serve


Now here are your options:

If you like your Thai food hot - leave the seeds and the membrane in the chilli when you chop it up.
If you like it milder, remove the seeds and membrane.

To add more heat increase the amount of sambal oelek to 2 tablespoons.

The coconut milk can be either low fat or regular - depending on your taste.

Now to the easy part

Steam or boil your jasmine rice.  This will take longer than making the dish so get it started now.  While the rice is cooking do all your prep work - pick your leaves, chop your chilli etc.

When the rice is 5 minutes from being cooked you can start the dish.  Or you can let the rice just sit and steam for 5 minutes.

Heat the sesame oil in a wok over medium high heat.  Stir fry the onion, garlic, chilli and sambal oelek for 2-3 minutes, or until the onion has softened.  Now add the prawns, cook stirring constantly until they just change colour.

Add the coconut milk, soy sauce, fish sauce and oyster sauce.  Add all your "greens" - ie basil, coriander and curry leaves.  Bring the mixture to the boil.  Reduce heat, and simmer for around 1 minute - making sure the prawns are cooked through.  Do not overcook, as the prawns will go tough.

Serve with your steamed jasmine rice and you have a meal as good as any you will get in a Thai restaurant!!!

Additional notes:

Thai basil and curry leaves can be found in the fresh herb section of your supermarket or green grocer store.

Sambal oelek can be found in the asian section of supermarkets or at asian specialty stores.

How easy was that Dear Readers??  So why would you go out for take away again?