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

Method:

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