Burmese Pazun Sipyan - Shrimp Curry

Pazun Sipyan
(Shrimp in Coconut Sauce)

This is a Burmese dish that was made in the microwave oven.  'Pazun' means shrimp and 'Sipyan' means 'oil returns'. So as not to skimp on fat, use a healthy oil such as extra-light olive oil when cooking Burmese food.  To get the full flavour to develop, no water was added because the oil must separate and return to the surface in the short time it takes to cook this in the microwave oven. It took exactly four minutes to get done!

Burmese Ohn Htamin - Cooked in the Microwave Oven

Ohn Htamin
(Rice Cooked in Coconut Milk)

I've blogged before about making Ohn Htamin on the stove top and that recipe is fine if you have ample time on your hands to saute the onions and rice prior to setting it to simmer on the stove top. Here is a quick and easy way to achieve the same results when there's no time to waste. It is almost a guarantee that you will not be disappointed.

Soon after we arrived in Canada in 1977, we bought our first microwave oven. It was an expensive piece of equipment but because it was such a new technology, I was wary of using it to its full potential. Boiling water for tea or coffee, reheating left-over food or thawing a frozen piece of fish or poultry was about the extent of its use in our home.

Three decades later, the microwave oven is proving to be an integral part of my kitchen. I've progressed to making quite a few dishes in the microwave oven and like it because it cuts down dramatically on the cooking time.

This method of preparing Ohn Htamin is the perfect example of how useful an appliance it is!

Burmese Ohn Htamin Neh Pazun Sipyan - A Microwaved Meal in Less Than 30 Minutes

Clockwise from Left:Ohn Htamin Neh Pazun Sipyan
Ohn Htamin
Pazun Sipyan
Fruit Salad

This Burmese meal was on the table in under half an hour because it was cooked in a microwave oven. Allow about 10 minutes preparation time to wash and drain the rice, thaw and peel already deveined shrimp and to assemble the ingredients. This is the perfect meal when guests drop by unannounced around dinner time and will feed 4 people. Serve a fruit salad for dessert for a light but festive meal.

Ohn Htamin
(Rice Cooked in Coconut Milk)

This Ohn Htamin or Rice Cooked in Coconut Milk was made in the microwave oven in just 18 minutes. That is unheard of when rice has to be cooked on the stove top or in a rice cooker. You will find the recipe here. 

Pazun Sipyan
(Tangy Coconut Shrimp Curry)

Add 4 minutes to that and accompany this rice with a delectable Burmese Tangy Coconut Shrimp Curry or Pazun Sipyan, which was also cooked in the microwave oven. Here is the recipe.

Just one can of coconut milk was used for this dinner. The creamy solids that collect at the top of the can were scooped up with a spoon and used in the shrimp curry and the rest of the coconut milk was used in the rice. The ratio of rice to liquid is 1:2, so the difference in liquid, after measuring the coconut milk, was made up with chicken broth.

Fruit Salad

The fruit salad comprises segments of navel orange, red seedless grapes and segments of apricot. A light, cool and refreshing end to a delectable Burmese meal! For another variation on the fruit salad, take a look at this option.