Prawn Mulligatawny Soup
A warming Anglo Indian soup of red lentils, coconut and curry base, topped with juicy prawns.
Made with Curry base sauce (onion and tomato) and Homemade vegetable stock. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time40 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.95 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Rinse the lentils in a sieve until the water runs clear.
- 2
Heat the oil in a large pan over a medium heat. Cook the carrot and apple for 5 minutes, then stir in the cumin for 30 seconds.
5 min 30 s - 3
Add your ready made curry base sauce and homemade vegetable stock (see the base recipes) with the lentils. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 20 minutes until the lentils are soft and falling apart.
20 min - 4
Blend about half the soup with a stick blender so it is part smooth and part chunky. Stir in the coconut milk and salt.
- 5
Add the prawns and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until pink.
3 min 30 s - 6
Finish with the lemon juice and fresh coriander. Serve with gluten free bread if you like.
Tips
- Blend only half the soup. The body from the lentils and the pieces left whole give the right texture.
- Use red lentils. They cook quickly and break down without soaking.
Storing and freezing
Keeps 2 days in the fridge, cooled within 1 to 2 hours. Freeze the soup base without the prawns for up to 3 months, thaw overnight, reheat until steaming hot and add fresh prawns.
Questions
Can I make it without prawns?
Yes. Leave out the prawns for a vegan soup. Add a handful of cooked chickpeas for more bulk.
Is mulligatawny supposed to be spicy?
It is usually mild to medium, with a gentle curry flavour. Add a pinch of chilli powder or a sliced green chilli if you prefer more heat.
More made with curry base sauce (onion and tomato)
Meen Moilee (Kerala Fish Moilee)
GFDFEFSoya Keema Matar (Vegan Mince and Pea Curry)
DFEFNFAloo Baingan Masala (Potato and Aubergine Curry)
DFEFNFMasala Chickpea Pilau (Chana Pulao)
DFEFNFSee every dish made with curry base sauce (onion and tomato)
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.