Kerala Chemmeen Achar | Kerala Style Prawns Pickle

Kerala Chemmeen Achar

Kerala style spicy Prawn pickle.
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Makes: 1 cup
Recipe source:Amma
Ingredients:

1. Chemmeen/Prawns- 500 gms
2. Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
3. Fenugreek seeds - 1/4 tsp
4. Ginger,juliennes - 1.5 tbsp
5. Garlic,sliced - 1.5 tbsp
6. Curry leaves - 1 sprig
7. Kashmiri chili powder - 1 tbsp( or according to taste)
8. Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
9. Vinegar- 1/4 cup
10. Boiled and cooled water - 1/4 cup or as required
11. Salt - to taste
12. Oil - as required(gingelly oil or coconut oil,see notes)

For Marination:

1. Red chili powder- 1 tsp
2. Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
3. Salt- to taste

For masala paste:

1. Ginger- 2" piece
2. Garlic- 7 to 8 large cloves
3. Green chilies - 4 to 6( or according to taste)

Instructions:

Coarsely grind together all the ingredients listed under ' For masala paste'.Keep aside until required.

Wash and clean the prawns.Marinate the prawns with the ingredients listed under ' for marination'.Keep aside for 15 to 20 minutes.Heat oil in a pan and shallow fry the prawns,turning once in between.

Once it is done,drain and keep aside until required.

Add more oil ( if required) to the same pan,add mustard seeds and let it splutter.Next add fenugreek seeds and saute for few seconds.

Add ginger,garlic and curry leaves , saute until  raw smell disappears.

Now add the prepared ginger-garlic-green chili paste , saute until raw smell leaves completely.

Cook over medium low flame for few more minutes until oil starts to separate.In a bowl ,mix together kashmiri chili powder,turmeric powder and vinegar to form a smooth paste.Add this masala paste to the pan. Add salt to taste.

Cook over medium low flame for few minutes ,until oil starts to separate.Next add the fried prawns and mix well.

Add boiled and cooled water as required.Bring this to a boil .Cook for 1 or 2 minutes.Switch off the stove and allow this to cool completely before transferring to an airtight-glass jar.

NOTES

• I used coconut oil to fry the prawns and gingelly oil to prepare the gravy.
• Always use clean and dry spoon to take the pickle.
• You can store the pickle at room temperature for upto 1 week.Refrigerate if you want to keep it for long.
• For best results,keep the pickle undisturbed for 1 or 2 days for the flavor to develop.
• To avoid  spoilage,you may pour 1 or 2 tbsp boiled and cooled gingelly oil over the pickle.
• Adjust the quantity of green chilies and  chili powder , according to your taste.

Chemmeen Curry | Kerala Prawn Curry

Chemmeen Curry

Kerala style Prawn curry using coconut milk.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 to 40 minutes
Serves: 3 to 4
Ingredients:

1. Prawn,cleaned- 250 to 300 gms
2. Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp
3. Onion,sliced - 1 large( about 1 cup)
4. Green chilies,cut into two - 1 ( or according to taste)
5. Ginger and garlic ,crushed - 1 tbsp
6. Curry leaves- 1 sprig
7. Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
8. Kashmiri chili powder- 1.5 to 2 tsp (or according to taste,See notes)
9. Coriander powder - 1.5 tsp
10. Garam masala powder- 1/2 tsp + 1 pinch
11. Tomato,chopped- 1 large (about 3/4 cup)
12. Thin coconut milk - 1 cup( or as required)
13. Thick coconut milk - 1/2 cup
14. Salt- To taste
15. Oil- as required

Instructions:

Heat  oil in  a manchatti /pan, add mustard seeds and let it splutter.Now add onion,green chilies,ginger garlic and curry leaves.

Saute until onion turns golden brown.Reduce the flame to low,add turmeric powder,kashmiri chili powder , coriander powder and 1/2 tsp garam masala powder.

Fry for about 30 seconds ,stirring continuously.Next add tomato and mix well.

Cook until tomato turns mushy and the masala starts to leave the sides of the pan.Next add cleaned prawns and salt to taste.Mix well.

Next add thin coconut milk  and stir well.Cover and cook  for about 12 to 15 minutes or until done and gravy turns thick.

Now add thick coconut milk and stir well.Cook for few minutes and bring it to just under a boil.Switch off the stove and add a pinch of garam masala and stir gently.

NOTES

• Adjust the quantity of Kashmiri chili powder according to your taste.I used about 2.5 tsp of Kashmiri chili powder as we wanted it a bit spicy.
• Adjust the quantity of thin coconut milk according to the amount of gravy required. 

Unakka Chemmeen Peera Pattichathu | Dry prawns with coconut

Unakka Chemmeen Peera


Dried prawns cooked with coconut and fresh spices.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Serves: 3 to 4 people
Ingredients:

1. Dried prawns- 1/2 cup
2. Fish tamarind/Kudampuli/Kokum- 1 or 2 small pieces
3. Grated coconut-3/4 to 1 cup
4. Shallots-3 to 4 nos
5. Green chilies-2 to 3 nos( or to taste)
6. Ginger,chopped-1/2 tsp
7. Turmeric powder- 1/4 tsp
8. Curry leaves- 2 sprigs
9. Coconut oil-as required
10. Salt- to taste

Instructions:

Clean the dried prawns and soak it in water for about 15 minutes.Drain and keep aside.

Soak the fish tamarind in water for about 5 minutes

Coarsely grind together grated coconut,shallots,green chilies,ginger and turmeric powder.

In a manchatti/clay pot combine together dried  prawns,fish tamarind, prepared coconut mixture,curry leaves and salt to taste.Mix well until combined.Add required amount of water( about 3/4 cup ),cover and cook for about 15 minutes.

Uncover and cook until it is almost dry.Drizzle 1//2 tsp coconut oil on top,if desired.

Serve with rice.