Spicy Prawn masala

I love non veg foods like anything,  except fish. Yeah..i told truth. I hate sea food.

But once i relocated to Kochi, Queen of Arabian Sea, I couldn't help but  fall in love with prawns and pearl spot (Karimeen) over here.

So i'll share you my favorite way of making prawns.First i had it from a family friend's house.I liked it so much that i asked them for recipe.

I have made prawn numerous occasions in this style.I'v tried other recipes also, but this one always came out good.

We can prepare this curry in 4 steps

1) Marinating prawns

2) Cutting and chopping vegetables

3) Grinding the masala and

4) Cooking the prawns

Always remember while buying prawns, on deshelling they will reduce to almost half the quantity.

How to make?

So first take1/2 kg big prawns deshelled, deveined and cleaned. After that we can do marination

1) Marinating Prawns:

Required ingredients:

a) Chilly powder - 1tbsp

b) Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp

c) Ginger garlic paste - 1/2 tbsp

d) Coriander Powder- 1/2 tbsp

e) Salt - As required

Add 1 tbsp. chilly powder,1/2 tsp turmeric powder and 1/2 tbsp ginger-garlic paste1/2 tbsp coriander powder  and salt  to cleaned prawns .Make sure it is coated well and keep inside fridge in an air tight box for 30 minutes.

By this time we can go to cutting and chopping part

Required Vegetables :

a) Onion- 1 big thinly sliced. (Use a tomato knife for slicing , you can get thin onion slices)

b) Shallots /sambar onion/ pearl onion - 10-15  sliced

I know it is difficult to peel and slice pearl onions, but do add these , it enhances the taste.

c) Tomato - chopped in to small pieces.

Now Step 3 : Grinding masala.

a) Grated coconut - 1 tbsp

b) Ginger - a small piece

c) Garlic- 5 cloves

d) Coriander seeds - 1 tbsp ( I use to add 1/2 tbsp coriander powder since i don't keep coriander seed in          home)

e) Green chilly-  2 medium sized

f) Pepper corn- 1 tbspoon

g) Dried Kashmiri red chilly- 2-3

Heat oil in a pan .Add all the above ingredients.Saute till coconut turns brown.

Add very little water and grind it. Don't make it a paste ,do in a way so that chilly grains will be there in gravy.While eating, those grains will impart a specific taste.

See the picture.

By this time prawn will be properly marinated.Now we can go to step: 4

Cooking the prawns:

Ingredients:

a) Curry Leaves- 2sprigs

b) Cumin seeds - 2 tsp

c) Kashmiri chilly powder- 1 tbsp

d) Turmeric powder- 1 pinch

e) Salt- as required

f) Oil as required

First saute the marinated prawns in oil till half cooked.(Shallow fry)Keep it aside in a blotting paper.

In same oil add cumin seeds and curry leaf.

Now add  onions we first itself sliced and kept.Once the color changes add turmeric powder and chilly powder.

Now add tomatoes. Saute till tomatoes turns soft.

Now add grinded masala to it and saute till raw small is gone.

Add prawns and saute for 5 minutes.

Add 1-1 1/2 cup water and boil in low flame.

        

                                                                                                          Garnish with coriander leaves.

Serve it with basmati rice :)