Goanese Prawn Baffad

1/4 kilogram uncooked shelled prawns
8 dried Kashmiri chiles
1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
12 peppercorns
3 cloves garlic
1 1/2 inch pie ginger
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
2 onions -- chopped
2 large tomatoes -- skinned and chopped
salt to taste
1/2 inch ball tamarind -- dissolved in a little water
vinegar to taste


Grind together the chiles, cumin, peppercorns, garlic and ginger. Mix in the turmeric. Fry the onions in a little oil until golden brown. Add the tomato and prawns. Fry for a minute. Add the masala, tamarind and vinegar. Cover and cook until prawns are done.