Zibdiyit Gambari (Spicy Prawns and Tomato Stew Recipe)
Zibdiyit Gambari is a traditional recipe from Gaza; a spicy prawn (shrimp) and tomato stew that's cooked in an unglazed claypot.
- Prep time
- 10 min
- Cook time
- 25 min
- Yield
- 4 servings
- Difficulty
- HARD
Ingredients
- 500 g raw prawns
- 2 tbsp EV olive oil
- 200 g chopped tomatoes from a can (this is a small tin in the UK)
- 2 tbsp sundried tomato paste (or regular concentrated tomato paste)
- 125 ml water
- 1/2 tsp white sugar
- 1 medium onion (about 150g prepeeled weight)
- 2-3 green chillies
- 3 medium cloves garlic
- 1 small handful fresh dill
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/4 tsp allspice
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp EV olive oil
- 4 stalk parsley
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 1/2 tsp chilli flakes
Instructions
- 1
Shell and devein the prawns if they're not already done so.
- 2
Finely chop the onions, dill and parsley. Set aside, separately.
- 3
Roughly chop the chillies, then grind them and the garlic, with 1 pinch of salt, with a pestle and mortar. No pestle and mortar? Use a food chopper or cut them up real small with a knife.
- 4
Heat 2 Tbsp of the oil on medium heat and fry the onions for 2 minutes, until soft.If you're using a claypot, don't forget your diffuser. It will also take about 10 minutes for the oil to heat up if you're using a claypot, so be patient.
- 5
Tip in the dried spices and chilli dagga (paste) you prepared earlier and fry for 1 minute.
- 6
Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, dill, sugar and water, and stir. Bring to a simmer, then cook, uncovered, for 10 minutes on low heat.If using a claypot, it will take a good 10 minutes or so for things to come to a simmer. When they do, cook for 15 minutes (only if using claypot).
- 7
Add the prawns and coat them with the tomato sauce. Bring back to a simmer (shouldn't take long at all), and cook for 5 minutes if using a regular saucepan and 10 minutes if using a claypot.
- 8
OPTIONAL STEP - heat the grill on max and place your pan under the grill for 3 minutes for the surface to crust slightly. If doing this, cut down your claypot cooking time by 3 minutes.
- 9
Take if off the heat, drizzle the olive oil all over and sprinkle the sesame seeds, parsley and chilli flakes. Serve immediately, but be careful, as it will be hot.