Clean and devein the prawns. Wash it with a teaspoon of vinegar to get rid of any smell.
Take 2 tbsp of tamarind pulp and soak in 1/4 cup of hot water for 15 minutes. Squeeze out all the softened pulp into the water. This tamarind water will be used in cooking.
Soak 15 dry red chilies in 1 cup hot water for 30 minutes
Chop ginger, garlic, curry leaves, and coriander leaves
For Tawa Masala
Dry roast methi (fenugreek) seeds and cumin seeds on a low flame for 1 minute.
In a mixer grinder, add soaked dry red chilies, chopped garlic, chopped ginger, curry leaves, green chilies, dry-roasted methi cumin seeds, prepared tamarind water, salt, and 1/4 cup of water.
Grind all the ingredients to a smooth paste and set aside.
For marinade
Take the prawns in a glass bowl, and add 3 tbsp of above mentioned tawa masala, Kashmiri red chili powder, turmeric powder, chopped coriander leaves, and chopped curry leaves. Add a little salt if needed. Mix well and marinate for about 30 minutes.
For Tawa Fry
Heat a non-stick wide pan for 1 minute on a slow flame. Add 5 tbsp of cooking oil. Add 2 or 3 tbsp of tawa masala and gently fry in oil for 1 minute. Push the fried tawa masala to one side of the pan and start placing the marinated prawns in a single layer without overlapping each other.
Let the prawns cook on a slow flame for 5 minutes. Flip each prawn and cook on the other side for 5 minutes. Add curry leaves at this point.
Once both sides are cooked, gently stir the prawns in the pan and combine them well with the fried tawa masala.
Remove from the pan and serve hot with rice or as an appetizer.
Video
Notes
Tawa masala is split into 2 parts; 1 part for marinating and another part for tawa fry.You can use any size of prawns. Fresh prawns will give the best result.While frying prawns on pan, always keep the flame on medium to low.