Chemmeen Theeyal

Ingredients

• Shelled & deveined Prawns / Shrimp (ചെമ്മീന്‍ വൃത്തിയാക്കിയത്) – 200 gm
• Grated coconut (തേങ്ങ ചിരണ്ടിയത്) – 2 Cups
• Shallot (ചെറിയ ഉള്ളി) – 20 Nos
• Garlic (വെളുത്തുള്ളി) – 5 Cloves
• Ginger (ഇഞ്ചി) – 1 Inch piece
• Curry leaves (കറിവേപ്പില) – 2 Sprigs
• Chilli powder (മുളകുപൊടി) – 3 Tea spoon
• Coriander powder (മല്ലിപ്പൊടി) – 2 Tea spoon
• Turmeric powder (മഞ്ഞള്‍പൊടി) – 1 Pinch
• Tamarind (പുളി) – Gooseberry (നെല്ലിക്ക) sized ball
• Tomato (തക്കാളി) – 1 No
• Mustard seeds (കടുക്) – ½ Tea Spoon
• Coconut Oil (വെളിച്ചെണ്ണ) – 2 Table Spoon
• Salt (ഉപ്പ്) – To taste

Method

1. Wash the prawns and keep aside.
2. Chop ginger, garlic, shallots and tomato.
3. Heat 1 table spoon of coconut oil in cooking pan and put grated coconut, ginger, garlic, half of the chopped shallots and curry leaves (1 sprig). Stir continuously in a medium flame.
4. When it becomes golden brown, turn the flame to low. Put chilli and coriander powders into it and stir well for 2 minutes. Remove from the flame and let it cool.
5. Grind the roasted coconut in a mixer grinder into a fine paste. (Do not add water initially).
6. Dissolve tamarind in 2½ cup of water. Remove the seeds and any pieces that have not dissolved with the water.
7. Cook prawns (about 10 minutes) in a covered vessel along with tamarind dissolved water, tomato, turmeric powder and salt. (When it starts boiling, turn the flame to low).
8. When it is done, add the ground paste and combine it well. Taste for salt. Boil it for 1 minute and remove from the flame.
9. Heat 1 table spoon of coconut oil in a cooking pan and put mustard seeds. When it splutters, to this add remaining shallots and curry leaves (1 sprig). Saute till golden brown. Add this to the prepared prawns theeyal.
10. Chemmeen theeyal is ready for serving. Transfer to the serving dish.

Tips

1) Take care not to overcook prawns as it will get rubbery and tasteless.
2) You can also cook prawns in microwave oven (step 7).
3) If you don’t have tamarind, use kukum star (kudam puli) or raw mango as an alternative. But I recommend to use tamarind for this chemmeen theeyal.