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. 

Nadan Mathi Curry | Kerala Sardine Curry

Nadan Mathi Curry

Spicy and delicious Kerala style Sardine curry.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 4 to 5
Ingredients:

1. Sardines /Mathi - 500 gms
2. Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp
3. Ginger,crushed - 1.5" piece
4. Garlic,sliced - 5 to 6 large cloves
5. Shallots,sliced - 3 to 4
6. Curry leaves - 2 to 3 sprigs
7. Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
8. Kashmiri chili powder- 2 to 2.5 tbsp (or according to taste)
9. Fenugreek powder - 1/4 tsp
10. Fish tamarind /Kudampuli - 3 to 4 small pieces( or according to taste)
11. Water - 1.5 cups( or as required)
12. Asafoetida - 1/4 tsp
13. salt - to taste
14. Oil - as required

Instructions:

Crush ginger and slice the garlic .Soak tamarind in water until required.

Heat oil in a manchatti /pan,add mustard seeds and let it splutter.Next add ginger,garlic,shallots and curry leaves.

 

Saute until it turns golden brown.Reduce the flame to low and add turmeric powder ,kashmiri chili powder and fenugreek powder.Mix well until combined.

Add tamarind and cook for one or two minutes,stirring continuously or until masala turns deep maroon.( make sure you do not burn the masala or else the curry will turn bitter)

Add sufficient quantity of water ( about 1.5 cups) and salt to taste.

Bring it to a boil.Add fish and gently swirl the pan. 

 

Cover and cook until done and gravy turns slightly thick.Add asafoetida and gently swirl the pan.

Add more curry leaves and cook for one more minute.Serve with rice or tapioca.

NOTES

• If you are using regular red chili powder,reduce the quantity to 1.5 or 2 tbsp , or according to your taste.
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Spicy Fish Balls

Spicy Fish Balls

Spicy Indian style fish and potato balls.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Makes: 14 to 16 fish balls
Ingredients:

1. Fish,cooked and shredded - 3/4 cup( see notes)
2. Ginger and garlic ,crushed- 1.5 tsp
3. Onion,finely chopped- 3 to 4 tbsp ( one small)
4. Green chilies,finely chopped-1
5. Turmeric powder- 1/8 tsp
6. Kashmiri chili powder-1/2 to 1 tsp( according to taste)
7. Coriander powder- 1/2 tsp
8. Garam masala powder- 1/4 to 1/2 tsp
9. Potato,boiled and mashed- 3/4 cup( one medium)
10. Lemon juice- 1/4 tsp
11. Salt- to taste
12. All purpose flour- 3 to 4 tsp
13. Water- 1/4 cup
14. Breadcrumbs-as required( about 1/2 cup)
15. Oil- as required /for deep frying

Instructions:

Heat oil in a pan add ginger,garlic,onion and green chilies.Saute until it turns soft.

Reduce heat to low,add turmeric powder,kashmiri chili powder,coriander powder and garam masala powder.Cook for about a minute stirring continuously. 

Add shredded fish and mix well.Saute for about 3 to 5 minutes or until it is almost dry.

Next add mashed potato and salt to taste.Add lemon juice and switch off the stove.Mix well until combined.

Let it cool a bit before shaping it into 1 to 1.5" balls.

• In a bowl combine together all purpose flour and water to form a batter.(The batter should not be too thick or too thin.)Dip the fish balls in the batter. 
  
• Next roll each ball in bread crumbs.
  

• Heat oil in a pan.When the oil is hot ,fry the fish balls until golden brown,turning once or twice in between.Drain onto a clean kitchen towel.Serve with tomato ketchup.
  

NOTES

• To prepare fish,add required amount of water ,salt and pepper to taste and cook until tender.Drain and allow to cool completely.Remove the bones and shred the fish using your hands.
• You can use any firm fish to prepare this.
• I used 1 tsp Kashmiri chili powder.
  
  

Kallu Shappu Meen Curry | Toddy Shop Fish Curry | Spicy Red Fish Curry

Kallu shappu style meen curry

Spicy Kerala style Toddy shop fish curry,usually served with tapioca.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 5 to 6
Recipe source: Shappukarikal
Ingredients:

1. Fish,cut into medium sized pieces - 1/2 Kg
2. Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp
3. Fenugreek seeds - 1/2 tsp
4. Ginger,crushed - 2" piece
5. Garlic,crushed - 6 to 8 cloves
6. Green chilies - 2( or to taste)
7. Curry leaves - 2 sprigs
8. Kashmiri chili powder- 2.5 to 3 tbsp( see notes)
9. Coriander powder- 1 tsp
10. Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
11. Kudampuli /fish tamarind / kokum - 20 to 25 gms
12. Asafoetida- 1/4 tsp
13. Water- as required
14. Coconut Oil - 1.5 tbsp
15. Salt- to taste

Instructions:

Soak fish tamarind/kokum in water until required.Heat oil in a manchatti.Add mustard seeds and let it splutter.Next add fenugreek seeds and saute for few seconds.

Add ginger, garlic ,green chilies and curry leaves.Saute until raw smell leaves.Now reduce flame to low and add kashmiri chili powder,coriander powder and turmeric powder.

Add kudampuli/kokum and stir well.Saute for about a minute over low flame, until the masala turns deep maroon.

Add water and salt to taste.Mix well and bring it to a boil.Now add fish ,cover and cook until done and gravy turns thick.

Add asafoetida and 1 tsp coconut oil.Gently swirl the manchatti and switch off the stove.

.NOTES

• If you are using regular chili powder reduce the quantity to 2 tbsp.
  

Kakka irachi Thoran | Kerala Clams Stir-fry with Coconut

Kakka irachi Thoran

Kerala style clams stir-fry with coconut.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Serves: 2 to 3 people
Ingredients:

1. Kakka irachi /clams (cleaned)- 1 cup
2. Mustard seeds- 1/4 tsp
3. Curry leaves-1 sprig
4. Fennel ,powdered-1/4 to 1/2 tsp
5. Salt-to taste
6. Water-as required
7. Oil-as required

For coconut paste:

1. Grated coconut- 1/2 cup
2. Ginger,chopped- 1/2 tsp
3. Garlic,chopped-1/4 tsp
4. Green chilies-1 or 2 nos( according to taste)
5. Shallots-2 to 3 nos
6. Turmeric powder-1/4 tsp
7. Kashmiri chili powder-1/4 tsp
8. Black pepper powder-1/4 tsp
9. Salt-to taste

Instructions:

Grind together all the ingredients listed under ' for coconut paste ' to form a coarse mixture.

Heat a pan/ manchatti add kakka irachi/clams, crushed coconut mixture and curry leaves.Mix well.Add one or two tbsp of water ,cover and cook until done.

Heat oil in a pan,add mustard seeds,let it splutter.Now add more curry leaves , cooked clams and fennel powder.Saute for 2 to 3 minutes on medium flame.Add more salt if required.Serve with rice.

• 

Karnataka Style Mackerel Fry | Bangada Fry | Rava Fish Fry

Karnataka style Mackerel fry

Recipe adapted from : Flavors of India
Karnataka style semolina coated Mackerel fry.
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Serves: 3 to 4
Ingredients:

1. Mackerel,cleaned- 1/2 Kg( 7 to 8 small)
2. Kashmiri red chili(whole)-7 to 8 nos(or to taste)
3. Coriander seeds- 1 tbsp
4. Fenugreek seeds-1/8 tsp
5. Tamarind pulp-1/8 tsp( or to taste - see notes)
6. Garlic-3 to 4 large cloves
7. Water-as required
8. Salt-to taste
9. Semolina / Rava-1/4 cup ( or as required)
10. Curry leaves- 2 sprigs( optional)
11. Oil-For shallow frying

Instructions:

Make deep gashes on both sides of the fish.

In a blender combine together Kashmiri red chili,coriander seeds, fenugreek seeds,tamarind pulp,garlic,salt to taste and required amount of water.Grind to form a thick and smooth paste.Marinate the fish with this masala. Keep aside for 20 to 30 minutes.

Heat oil in a pan,add curry leaves. Lightly coat the marinated fish with semolina / rava and place it over the curry leaves.Shallow fry until it turns crispy and brown on both the sides,turning once in between.

Serve with rice.

NOTES

• I used 1 tsp vinegar instead of tamarind pulp.
• Make sure the fish is just lightly coated with semolina/rava.