Kuttanadan Chemmeen Roast

Today I am sharing the recipe of Kuttanadan chemmeen roast / Kuttanadan konju ularthu / Kerala konju roast.

Ingredients

Prawns / Shrimp ~ 500 gram

Sliced Shallots / Kochu ulli ~ 1 1/2 - 2 cups ( Note: For the sake of convenience, you can even use chopped onions )

Green chillies ~ 4 nos

Chopped ginger and garlic ~ 1 1/2 tbsp

Kashmiri chilly powder / Charadan mulaku podi ~ 1 tbsp

Turmeric powder ~ 1 tsp

Home made garam masala ~ 1/2 tbsp

Kodampuli / Fish Tamarind ~ 2 small pieces

Grated coconut ~ 3/4 cup

Curry leaves ~ 2-3 stems

Salt to taste 
Mustard seeds / Kaduku ~ 1/2 tsp

Coconut oil ~ 3 - 4 tbsp

For making garam masala : Grind 2 cardamoms, 2 cloves, 1 small cinnamon stick, 1/2 tsp peppercorns and 1/4 tsp fennel seed. 

Method

• First wash the kodampuli nicely and then soak it in 1/2 cup of water for about 15-20 minutes. Then marinate the cleaned prawns with 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, 1/2 tbsp lemon juice and salt and keep it aside for 15 minutes.

• Then heat little oil in a pan and add mustard seeds, when it crackles, add sliced shallots, chopped green chilies, ginger, garlic, half of curry leaves and then saute till onions become soft. Then lower the flame and add red chilli powder and 1/2 tsp turmeric powder and fry till the raw smell of the powder go. 

• Then add garam masala along with prawns, soaked kodampuli and 1/4 cup of water and cook covered in low flame for about 10-15 minutes. Then cook uncovered till all the water in it gets evaporated and the prawns become almost dry. Then add grated coconut along with remaining curry leaves and mix it nicely. Finally add 1 1/2 - 2 tbsp tbsp of oil and roast the prawns for another 5-10 minutes and remove from the flame.

Enjoy with rice.

Cheers!