Malabar, a southern
coastline nestled between Arabian Sea and Western Ghats, is lined with a string
of coconut trees. Hence, the flavour of coconut predominates over the Malabar
cuisines. Originally, any authentic Malabari dish is cooked with coconut oil. I
have learned this recipe of Malabari Prawn curry from a cookery show hosted by
Aditya Bal. Bal hewed to the authenticity of Malabar cuisine by cooking it in
coconut oil. You may do the same if you like. But since I don't like the over
pervasive smell of coconut oil, I have replicated the dish using white oil.
Ingredients: Cooking time:
20-30 minutes
ü 700 gm medium size prawns
ü 1 red onion (chopped)
ü 1 tomato (chopped)
ü 1 cup coconut milk
ü 1/2 cup green peas (frozen)
ü 1 tsp turmeric powder
ü 1 tsp kashmiri red mirch
ü Salt to taste
ü 3-4 garlic cloves (chopped)
ü 1 inch ginger stick (chopped)
ü 1 string of curry leaves
ü 2 dry red chillies
ü 1 tsp black mustard seeds
ü 4-5 green chillies (chopped)
ü 1 tsp concentrated tamarind extract diluted
in 2 tbsp of water
ü 1 small piece of jaggery
ü White oil for cooking
Dry Masala Paste:
ü 1/2 cup grated coconut
ü 1 tsp fenugreek seeds or methi seeds
ü 1 tsp coriander seeds
Method:
1) Marinate the prawns
with a pinch of turmeric powder, kashmiri red mirch, salt and 1 tsp of oil.
Then in smoking hot oil, shallow fry them till golden orange in color.
2) For Dry Masala Paste,
dry roast the ingredients mentioned in a skillet on high heat for couple of
minutes and then grind them into fine paste.
3) Once the prawns are
fried, take them off the flame and keep aside. Now into the same wok, add 2
tbsp of oil and when turns piping hot, add dry red chillies and black mustard
seeds. Allow them to crackle.
4) One after another, add
chopped ginger, garlic and onion. Fry them till translucent in color.
5) Add turmeric powder,
kashmiri red mirch, green chillies and the ground dry masala paste. Saute for
couple of minutes adding water in small measure.
6) When the spices are
well incorporated with the oil floating on the surface, add coconut milk
little by little.
7) Add salt, tamarind
extract, curry leaves and tomatoes. Cook the gravy on medium heat for another
couple of minutes.
8) Then add green peas,
jaggery and the fried prawns. Cook covered till prawns are tender.
9) Serve hot with rice or
pilaf.
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