I like to try different recipes at home, as we rarely go out to eat at fancy restaurants. I made this new dish Kebat from the book Burma superstar. It has recipes of tofu, shrimp, chicken and beef Kebat . Since I had tried fiery tofu recipe from the book and had loved it, I decide to try shrimp Kebat.
Kebat is a classic Burmese stir-fry dish that is common throughout homes in Myanmar, but not typically found in restaurants there. I loved the Kebat spice mixture ingredients and decide to try it at home. I made small changes to the recipe to suit my taste. As original recipe in Book doesn’t uses Kebat spice mixture for the shrimp, but I decide to add it as I want to try this recipe because of the interesting spice combo. Also, I used fish masala instead of Madras curry powder. You can feel free to used curry powder.
This is a simple recipe using shrimp, tomato wedges, onion, mint (I was out of it so didn’t used it) and tamarind and Kebat spice mixture. It says if you make homestyle then you don’t need Kebat spices. Since the spices are my weakness, I decide to add it. As I added spices it become restaurant style shrimp Kebat. If you want home -style shrimp Kebat skip the Kebat spices. If you want, you can make it with fish, lamb, chicken and tofu. This is different from other Kebat as it has ginger and garlic.
This stir-fry goes well with a bowl of rice. If you like, you can also make Burmese coconut rice. Next in my list to try is tofu Kebat. This is not spicy, as it has only heat from the fish masala and a thai chili, if you want to make it spicier add two Thai chilies. Also, to make this stir fry you need to marinate the shrimp that helps to absorb the spices better. I cooked my shrimp well with onions and tomato. If you want crisper veggies you can add more at the end.
Shrimp Kebat
Ingredients
- 16-20 jumbo shrimp
- 2 teaspoon Fish Masala / Madras curry powder
- 1 thai chili
- 1 teaspoon fish sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup chopped red onion
- ¼ cup thinly sliced onion
- 2 tablespoon canola oil
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 Roma tomatoes each cut into 6 to 8 wedges
- 1 tablespoon tamarind water
- Cilantro sprigs for garnish
- 1 tablespoon Kebat spice mix
- Kebat spice mix
- 3 green cardamom pods
- ¼ teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon sugar
Instructions
- For Kebat spice mix first crush the cardamom seeds along with cumin seeds in mortar and pestle to coarse powder. To this add salt, and rest of ingredients and mix well.
- In a bowl or Ziploc bag marinate shrimp with fish masala/curry powder, fish sauce, ½ tablespoon Kebat spice mix and salt. Keep aside at room temperature while you are making other ingredients.
- In a pan heat oil and add chopped onion and cook until it changes the color. Then add half of tomato wedges and cook until it softened. Then add ginger, garlic and rest of Kebat spices and cook for 2 minutes.
- Add shrimp and cook with stirring in between until it done. Then add the sliced onion and rest of tomato wedges cook for 1-2 minutes. The onion should be firm and crisp. Finally add tamarind water or lime juice. Garnish with cilantro. Enjoy with bowl of rice.
Pin it for later
This is Swathi ( Dr. Ambujom Saraswathy Ph.D) from Zesty South Indian Kitchen who loves to explore cuisines from all over the world. Whenever possible I try to to give an Indian touch to several of the world cuisine, and has weakness for freshly baked bread. All the recipes you see here are created by me and approved after taste-test by my family.
Michelle Blackwood says
Wow I have never seen recipes from Burma but I'm so intrigued by the spice combo, loving how you made the recipe your own and added ginger and garlic.
Anne Murphy says
That's a new spice mix for me - I'll have to try it! Sounds delicious with the shrimp.
Karyl Henry says
I don't think I've ever tried Burmese food before, but I'm a big fan of all kinds of ethnic food. And I love shrimp too, I'm going to need to give this recipe a try...it looks delicious!
Tina says
I love trying new foods that are outside of the box! This looks delicious, easy, and seems rich with flavor layers! I think I just found my dinner tonight!
Gloria says
We happen to be having shrimp for dinner tonight. It is such a great ingredient to work with. Love the sound of ALL those flavourful spices.
Veena Azmanov says
Ohhh I can't WAIT to try this! This is a great idea for my lunch. This looks sooooo good and very tasty! Thanks for the recipe!
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
I love the Kebat spice mix that you have used for the shrimp. I am sure I can find a vegetarian dish that will work great with the spice. A great recipe for lunch!
Claudia Lamascolo says
Wow this shrimp looks so delicious I could eat my screen. I am a huge shrimp lover and the flavors are wonderful in this dish. I cant wait to try it! thanks for this recipe!
Kylee from Kylee Cooks says
My husband would think he was in heaven if I made this for him! Such a rich flavor profile!