Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   1      pound         shrimp -- fresh
   1      teaspoon      sesame oil
                        salt -- pinch
   1      tablespoon    sugar
   2      tablespoons   ginger -- fresh, minced
   2                    shallot -- chopped
                        coriander leaves -- for garnish
   2      teaspoons     cornstarch
     1/4  cup           tamarind liquid *
   2      tablespoons   fish sauce
   1      tablespoon    lemon juice
   2                    Thai chile -- finely chopped
   1 1/2  cups          oil

Preparation:

To make tamarind liquid: Pour 1/2 cup boiling water over five or six fresh peeled tamarind pods, and let sit for 30 minutes. Then pour through a strainer into a bowl, pressing as much of the pulp through as possible. Shell the shrimp. Cut them in half lengthwise, toss them in corn- starch and sesame oil and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Combine the tamarind liquid, salt, fish sauce, sugar, and lemon juice and set aside. Combine ginger, chili peppers, and shallots, and set aside. Heat the oil in a skillet or wok until hot but not smoking. Add the shrimp and stir quickly to separate them. Remove the shrimp when just pink and drain in a colander. Remove all but two tablespoons of oil from the skillet, heat the remaining oil over high heat and add the ginger/chile combination. Stir until fragrant, then add the tamarind sauce. When boiling hot, add the shrimp and stir over high heat for a minute or so, until the sauce is reduced. Serve garnished with coriander leaves.