Red Curry Pandan Prawns

For the marinade, place the red curry paste in a large bowl. Use a mortar and pestle to pound the garlic, peppercorns and a pinch of salt to a rough paste. Transfer the garlic mixture to the bowl with the curry paste, followed by the oyster sauce and sugar. Mix until well combined. Add the prawns and mix well until they’re all evenly coated.

Fold a prawn in half, then place at the bottom of a pandan leaf. Roll the leaf around the prawn to wrap it, leaving the tail protruding. Use a toothpick to secure the pandan leaf. Repeat with remaining prawns and pandan leaves. You can use these straightaway or prepare them a day ahead and keep them in the fridge until you’re ready to cook.

Preheat a wok filled one-third of the way up with oil over medium heat. The oil is ready to use when a wooden spoon dipped into the oil makes small bubbles.

Meanwhile, make the dipping sauce by placing the ingredients in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes or until thickened slightly. Allow to cool before serving.

Once the oil is hot, carefully add the prawns, in batches, and cook for 3-4 minutes or until cooked through (the prawns will turn opaque and the pandan leaves will look dark green). Drain on paper towel. Serve with the dipping sauce.

– Pandan leaves are available in the fresh section of Asian grocery stores. You can also use strips of banana leaves.