Grilled Shrimp with Konkani-Inspired Masala

I treasure the days I spend outside in the warmer weather, from early morning to midnight. So naturally, I can't wait to gear up for grilling season. When preparing for outdoor entertaining, I try to minimize time spent in the kitchen while still maximizing flavor. Instead of a marinade, these grilled shrimp benefit from a nutty, spiced paste (or masala) inspired by the Konkan region of India. 

A Konkan-Inspired Masala 

Konkan is a strip of land on the Western coast of India encompassing parts of Goa, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. In developing this recipe, I consulted a Konkani family friend, Sandhya Nadkarni, who offers Indian cooking classes and runs the blog Indfused. Sandhya explained that while Konkani recipes are generally diverse in flavors and textures, some fundamental commonalities do exist. Because of its tropical climate, Konkani people (those native to the Konkan region) often cook with coconut, chilies, and tamarind. 

The fragrant coconut, subtle heat from the chilies, and sour, slightly sweet tamarind create a deep, complex flavor. Dried chilies and coriander seeds toast in a small amount of oil, then blend with coconut and tamarind into a smooth masala tinted red from the chilies. 

Traditionally, the masala cooks down with oil to form the base of a gravy. For a seafood gravy, shrimp or fish simmer with water in the masala. Here, we forego a gravy and rub the cooked paste directly onto the shrimp for a punchy flavor profile that comes together faster than a traditional marinade.

Key Ingredients in Konkani-Inspired Masala

A good masala balances sweet, salty, acidic, and spicy flavors. 

This shrimp recipe may use a few ingredients you're less familiar with, so let's delve into some of these ingredients in more detail. 

• Desiccated coconut powder: Look for unsweetened desiccated coconut powder, a finely textured form of coconut devoid of moisture. Find it online or at specialty health food shops. Alternatively, you can use a finely shredded coconut available at major grocery stores. 
• Dried chiles: Many Konkani recipes recommend dried Byadgi chiles, which can be purchased online or in specialty Indian stores. Byadgi chiles are mild in flavor and predominantly add color to the paste. Dried Kashmiri chiles have a slightly different flavor profile but are an excellent substitute here. You can also use ground Kashmiri chili powder or another mild chili powder blend. 
• Homemade tamarind paste: Tamarind is a sour, slightly sweet fruit. I prefer to purchase the pulp in a block and make a homemade paste for this recipe, but store-bought works too. Read more about where to purchase tamarind and how to make the paste in our ingredient guide to tamarind.
• Coriander seeds: Coriander seeds contribute an earthy, citrusy flavor to the dish. 
• Alliums: Garlic and shallot add a wonderful, pungent flavor to the masala.

The Best Shrimp for this Recipe

Both fresh and frozen shrimp are good options here. If purchasing fresh shrimp, look for shrimp with a clean, non-fishy smell, and avoid any seafood with slimy or mushy textures. 

If purchasing frozen shrimp, make sure to buy uncooked shrimp, then follow appropriate instructions to thaw them before cooking. Large and extra-large shrimp varieties work well for this recipe.

What to Serve With Grilled Shrimp

A mango and cilantro slaw or watermelon salad would be a great pairing with this shrimp. I also love to serve these on a bed of coconut rice.