Chemmen Varutharachathu( Prawns with Roasted Coconut)

Prawns cooked in a roasted coconut masala gravy, this is one of my favourite gravy recipe. I know Prawns is most favourite sea food for everyone. So here is the recipe for you all to try.

Ingredients

• Prawns 1/2 kg (medium sized)
• Cinnamon stick 1 small piece
• Cloves 2nos
• Cardamom 1
• Star Anees 1
• Curry Leaves few
• Ginger 1 medium size piece sliced
• Garlic  5 cloves sliced
• Onion  1 big sliced
• Green chilli 3 slitted
• Tomatoe 1 big chopped
• Coriander powder 2 tsp
• Turmeric powder  1/2 tsp
• Red Chilli powder 1 tsp
• Water 1 1/2 to 2 cup
• Salt
• Oil

To Roast and Grind

• Coconut grated 1/2 cup
• Whole black pepper 1 tsp
• Dry Red chilli 4 nos
• Fennel Seeds  1/2 tsp
• Shallots (small onion) 5 nos sliced
• Coriander powder 1/2 tsp
• Red chilli powder 1/2 tsp
• Turmeric Powder  1/4 tsp
• Garam masala 1/4 tsp
• Oil

Method

Clean and marinate prawns with salt , 1/4 tsp turmeric powder and 1 tsp lemon juice and keep it aside.

Heat oil in a pan and add coconut, dry red chilli, whole black pepper, small onion, fennel seeds. Roast till the coconut turns golden brown. Add coriander powder, red chilli powder, turmeric powder and garam masala and saute for 2 seconds. Remove from fire and let it cool. Grind the same into good smooth paste by adding little water. Keep it aside.

Heat oil in a medium size sauce pan, add cinnamon stick, cloves, cardamom, star anees and curry leaves. Once it leaves aroma add sliced onions and saute for sometime. When onion turns golden brown , add ginger and garlic saute for 2 minutes. Add green chilli and saute for  1 minute. Add chopped tomato and cook till it turns soft. Add chilli powder, coriander powder and turmeric powder and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Add 1/2 cup water and wait till the water starts boiling. Add prawns and cook on low flame for till prawns are cooked. 

Add the masala paste prepared and cook for 5 to 6 minutes. Check salt and remove from fire. 

Keep pan closed for sometime. Serve hot with warm rice, or chapati or parota.

NB: If you don't want too spicy can reduce chilli powder and pepper. If you are in a hurry can cook in pressure cooker also. You can saute ingredients in pressure cooker and add prawns in it and cook for 2 whistle and open and add roasted and grinded coconut paste. Enjoy cooking..