Shrimp Bell Pepper Masala

Shrimp/Prawn Bell Pepper Masala is one of the yummiest preparations of Shrimp which can be made in a jiffy. Whenever I have left over Rice or Rotis from lunch, then I prepare this side dish for dinner, as it takes less than 30 minutes. Here in the US, we get 2 varieties of Shrimp in the market:- Uncooked Shrimp (usually grey in color) and Lightly Cooked Shrimp (pink in color). Cooked and uncooked varieties are available in numerous forms including whole, deveined, tail on, peeled and easy peel. Cooked Shrimp stays in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

Shrimp and Bell Peppers make a great combo. You can relish this wonderful Shrimp Bell Pepper Masala with rice or rotis. I have used Cooked, peeled and deveined medium-sized shrimps for this recipe. If you are using Uncooked Shrimp, then increase the cooking time by 3-5 minutes.

Shrimp Bell Pepper Masala

Ingredients

1. Cooked Shrimp (peeled & deveined) – 1 lb (You can also use Uncooked Shrimp)
2. Red Onions (thinly sliced) – 1 large
3. Tomato (chopped) – 1 large (Alternatively, you can use 1/2 cup of Crushed Canned Tomatoes)
4. Diced Bell Peppers/Capsicum – 1 large
5. Curry leaves – A sprig
6. Slit Green Chillies – 2
7. Ginger (finely minced) – 1 tbsp
8. Garlic (finely minced) – 4 cloves
9. Fish Masala Powder – 2 tbsp ( I used store bought Eastern Fish Masala brand)
10. Garam Masala Powder – 1/2 tsp (optional)
11. Chilly powder – 1 tsp (Alter according to your spice tolerance)
12. Salt – to taste
13. Oil – 2 tbsp
14. Lemon Juice – 1 tbsp

For Marinating the Shrimp

1. Turmeric Powder – 1/2 tsp
2. Red Chilly Powder – 1 tsp
3. Black pepper Powder – 1/2 tsp
4. Lemon Juice – 1 tbsp
5. Ginger Garlic Paste – 1 tbsp
6. Salt – to taste

Preparation Method

1. Wash and drain the shrimp and marinate it with the above ingredients. Keep it aside for around 15 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, heat oil in a pan and saute onions and till it begins to brown lightly.
3. Add ginger, garlic and curry leaves and saute for a few more minutes.
4. Add tomatoes and cook till mashed and pulpy. Alternatively, you can use crushed canned tomatoes to get a nice red color.
5. Reduce heat and add fish masala powder, garam masala powder, chilly powder, salt and stir fry for a few minutes till the oil begins to separate from the masala.
6. Add the diced bell peppers and mix everything well. Cover and cook on medium heat for a few minutes until it begins to let out water.
7. Add the marinated shrimp and saute for another 5 minutes till the masala gets coated on the shrimp. If you are using uncooked shrimp, then saute for an extra 3-5 minutes.
8. Sprinkle 1 tbsp of lemon juice and mix everything well.
9. Serve this tasty shrimp bell pepper masala with rice or rotis.