varutharacha chemmeen curry (Prawn in roasted coconut gravy)...

This traditional Kerala style Prawn curry my Mamama/grandmother used to make this when I was a child. My amma/mom made a version of it, too. I make a version of it, too, with chopped ginger and some pepper. I also added a bit of garam masala and some lemon juice. I made this last Sunday and it was a hit!!! When my 14 year old daughter saw me clicking , she was like "Oh wow... That looks soooo good!" Love it when she gets excited about dinner like that LOL! She then proceeded to taste couple of prawns, and told me to put it on the menu often!

Ingredients
For marination:

• 1/2 kg Prawns shelled and deveined 
• 1/2tsp Turmeric powder
• 1tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Lemon juice

For Roasting in oil and grinding

• 1/2 grated Coconut
• 1tbsp Coriander seeds
• 10 Whole dried red chilles
• 4-5 Garlic, cloves
• 10 sambar onions/shallots or 1 Onion chopped
• 10 Pepper corns
• 1 Lemon sized ball of tamarind
• 1 tsp Garam masala ( optional)
• 3 tsp coconut oil

For tempering:

• 1 Onion or 7-8 shallots
• 3-4 Green chillies
• 1tsp Mustard
• 2 spring Curry leaves
• 1tbsp Coconut oil
• 1 tsp Chopped ginger

Cooking Directions

1. Combine the marination ingredients well and keep aside for 30 mins.
2. Heat two teaspoons of oil in a pan and fry the grated coconut, coriander seeds, Red chillies, Garlic, turmeric powder and pepper corns stir well. When the mixture becomes brown in colour, grind it into a smooth paste with tamarind and garam masala and keep it aside.
3. Heat oil in an earthen/ clay pot/large pan.Add Mustard,curry leaves and saute for a second.Now add onion and saute till onions becomes dark brown colour.
4. Add slit green chillies and ginger and fry again for couple of minutes.
5. Now add roasted masala paste and saute for a few minutes.
6. Now add marinated prawns and check for salt and add at this stage.
7. Simmer and cook covered till the gravy is semi dry and oil comes on top
8. Now get ready to relish this spicy prawn dish with hot red boiled rice or roti