Dopiazeh Meygoo Recipe | Quick Prawn Dopiaza Recipe

Dppiyazeh Meygoo is a traditional and flavorful shrimp dish from southern Iran, renowned for its delicious taste. This popular dish is especially favored in the provinces of Bushehr and Hormozgan, where it is commonly prepared for special occasions and family gatherings. Shrimp, a rich source of protein and phosphorus, is the main ingredient in this dish. In this particular recipe, I have used Bushehr pink shrimp, known for its unique taste and quality, which adds a special flavor to the dish. Whether you’re looking for an authentic Iranian seafood dish or simply craving a delicious shrimp recipe, Dou Piyazeh Migo is the perfect choice for any occasion.

Ingredients

Shrimp, cleaned: 500 grams  

Onions: 4 medium-sized  

Tomato paste: 1 tablespoon  

Oil: as needed  

Salt, black pepper, turmeric, curry powder, and red pepper: to taste 

Step one

Wash the onions, peel them, and cut them into thick slices. Then, place them in a frying pan and wait a few seconds for the onion juice to evaporate. Now, add the oil and sauté the onions until they turn golden and soft.

Step two

Before the onions become fully golden, add the shrimp to the pan. Sauté the ingredients for a little while, then add the spices and salt, and cook for 5 to 7 minutes until the shrimp are browned. At this stage, increase the heat to sauté the shrimp at high temperature for better flavor.  

You can serve the dopiazeh meygoo with bread, rice, and spicy Bandar-style pickles, and enjoy its unique taste.

Bushehr Pink Shrimp  

Shrimp is one of the most nutritious and popular seafood dishes in Iran, especially in the southern regions, where it is a staple food for the locals. This particular type of shrimp is pink even before cooking. In fact, it is a variety of green tiger shrimp, but due to its distinctive color, it is known as Bushehr Pink Shrimp among the people of Bushehr. These shrimp are relatively small in size and are also called salad shrimp because their mild and sweet flavor makes them ideal for shrimp salad. Bushehr Pink Shrimp is considered the best type of shrimp in the Persian Gulf region due to its unique taste, numerous health benefits, and high nutritional value.

Notes on Dopiyazeh Meygoo

• The cooking time for sautéing the shrimp varies depending on the amount. For a large quantity, it takes about 5 to 7 minutes, and for a smaller amount, it takes about 3 to 5 minutes for the shrimp to cook properly.  
• Make sure to sauté the shrimp on high heat to enhance their flavor. Also, it’s better to use medium-sized shrimp for more even cooking.
• To prevent the shrimp from becoming tough, avoid cooking them for too long. To make the dish healthier, you can substitute olive oil or sesame oil for other oils.  
• If you’re using frozen shrimp, never thaw them at room temperature. The best way to defrost shrimp is by placing them in a bowl of cold water or in the refrigerator.  
• You can also add garlic to the dopiazeh meygoo recipe.
• This dish can be made with various ingredients, and you can include fried potatoes as part of the recipe.
• You can add tomato paste to this dish.  
• If you don’t like the taste of tomato paste, you can substitute it with 5 large tomatoes, either pureed or grated. In this case, sauté the tomato puree separately until its water evaporates and it absorbs the oil. Then, after sautéing the shrimp, add the tomato puree and cook it for about one minute over medium heat to allow the tomato flavor to infuse into the shrimp.  
• If you prefer a spicier taste, increase the amount of red pepper, as dopiazeh meygoo has a spicy flavor.  
• When serving, you can drizzle some fresh lemon juice over the dish for added flavor.

How to Clean Shrimp: The Key to Delicious Flavor

One of the most important steps in preparing dopiazeh meygoo is properly cleaning the shrimp. First, remove the shrimp’s head, then gently pull out the black vein along its back using the tip of a knife or a toothpick. To eliminate any unpleasant odor, wash the shrimp with cold water and a little vinegar. However, be careful not to wash the shrimp too much, as excessive washing can remove its nutritional value.