Too many fish in the sea | Grilled Ras-Al-Hanout Spiced Prawns

I am on the other side of the phone and hear the almost screeching voice of my sister. I am hardly able to gather from her enthusiasm what is the all the ho-hum about. She is at my uncle’s place which is right beside the river side. It a arable three-storied bungalow overlooking the grand river. There are plenty of red,pink,yellow houses all around the place would say a fair bet in the name of urbanisation. But somehow still very close to nature with all the heavenly elements.

It’s the monsoons and the river has a gallant reputation of overflowing and crossing the danger line. This year again it is at its highest mark and the turbulent waters have sculpted the river side. The word has spread of an approaching flood. But my house is wary of its danger. Along with the heavy showers also comes a breeding season and there is ample aquatic fauna and flora for the fishes to thrive. My family is planning a monsoon feast by doing an adventurous trip fishing expedition. No we don’t own boats and No we are not fishermen. My uncle is a banker and my sister an engineering student. They exude raw enthusiasm and they have reinvented the fishing net. It is unimaginable but the humble mosquito net is out fisherman net. (Don’t give me looks 🙂 ) The science is simple all you need is percolation and collection.

My uncle and sister got drenched in the rain and went to the river edge. A highly non-recommended feat and held the mosquito net on either side and slid it under the water.And counted till five 1…2….3…4….5 and in unison raised the net above water. The sight would make any fish lover flabbergasted. A netful of fish and shrimp. Nature’s bounty !! There were boys who caught some mullet and drum with their fishing rods. Several onlooker and anxious housewives awaiting the catch of the day.

The family feasted on the catch for three days. To me on the other side of the phone, reached a a few netful of happy faces drawing happiness from uncanny nuisances. I missed the entire action but the squeals and pleasure driven expressions gave me a lot of satisfaction.

With time lots of things change and many monsoons come and go. Some are good some are very bad but I couldn’t forget the idea of catching fish with a mosquito net. I have saved a tiny dream to do this myself. I have saved that moment. If you can derive happiness from unseen moments then there is a lot of hope in your life.

On that note , it is friday evening and I am gearing up for my weekend. It is a family time and I will be doing of couple of silly mischiefs which I would relate to my sister overseas. To you readers of course keep the hope alive and find happiness in silly things.

I have stirred up the Ras-al-hanout spiced prawns for friday dinner with some saffron rice. To tell you a little interesting detail about Ras-al-hanout which is quite fascinating for a spice connoisseur. Ras-el-hanout is a classic spice mixture used in Moroccan cuisine. The name means ‘top of the shop’, which reflects its expensive ingredients. It may consists of anywhere between eight and eighty different ingredients – from fragrant rose petals,dried peppers, cardamom, nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon, cubeb peppercorns,cloves, fennel, rose buds and lavender, and bitter cloves to cumin, coriander and cardamom. This spice flavour really appealed to my platter when I got a pouch gifted by Moroccan clients in Casablanca. To all layman this can be called as the equivalent of the Indian Gram masala. But the idea here is there is no universal blend and no two blends are equal mark my words.

This is a very simple recipe but highly fragrant and fiery on your tongue. The right recipe for your friday cocktails. I was lucky to get some reply fresh prawns from the fish monger and couldn’t help but sir this recipe in just 20 minutes.