Pumpkin and Snake Beans with Prawns in Coconut



I am still disappointed with my Iphone for not restoring the photos from our recent short trip to the Central Coast.  Although I've posted bits and pieces (as it happened, thanks to the technology of 3G) in FB, there were about more than a hundred which have disappeared into thin air.  Its such as shame to rely on technology and realise that yes, it is not human after all.  The phone after all is not a camera, first and foremost.  It is a phone! 

Anyways, life goes on and I'll be out hunting for a reliable DSLR soon. Yes, I know.  Its unbelievable that I use the Iphone for all the photos I upload with my blog.  I've put off getting a proper camera as we have our reliable point-and-shoot Canon IXUS and getting a DLSR meant emptying my pockets big time.  But it also means I should already start learning to really get into food photography.  Stop drooling over Pinterest food photos and start taking seriously-mouth-watering photos, yeah?!

Backt to food and what's for lunch/dinner! Here's a simple dish that we make at home that's easy as sauteing vegetables.  It can be vegetarian all the way, omitting the addition of prawns.  To make this pumpkin-prawn dish:

500g prawns, peeled and deveined

1 250-300ml coconut milk

half of a pumpkin, cut into cubes

1 bunch snake beans, cut into 6-7cm

2 long green chillies, whole

1 onion, quartered

1 clove garlic, crushed

vegetable oil for frying

salt and pepper

In a medium sized fry pan, fry the garlic in oil until fragrant (do not burn!) and then add the prawns.  Cook until they change colour.  Transfer on a plate and set aside.

In the same pan, saute the onions until soft.  Add the pumpkin and the coconut milk.  Stir to coat.  Bring to a boil, then simmer on medium heat for 10 minutes.

Add the snake beans and chillies. Return to simmer for another 5 minutes.

Add the prawns and simmer for another 5 mintues. 

Serve with steamed/boiled rice.

This dish can be prepared without the prawns, which makes it a great vegetarian dish.  Or you can substitute the prawn with pork belly strips (added after the onions) for a different kind of flavour. 

Its the weekend, and we're enjoying the last few days with my sis in law who's going back to Manila on Tuesday next week, so another full on weekend ahead!  Its spring in Sydney and the sun just gets better and better!  And one more week and its the school holidays!  Yeah!  Exciting times ahead!  Spring cleaning here I come!