Prawns Dry Roast / Konju Ularthiyathu

I remember once during the initial days in US , I was not aware of the frozen foods available here , we saw Pearl-spot / "Karimeen " a Kerala delicacy, in an Indian store, 

I grabbed it without a second thought and excitedly asked my parents to come online in Skype to show them the fish.Seeing my excitement Achachen (Dad) asked me , how I managed to get these , I replied its frozen and then I thought to check its packed - date , to both of our surprise it was almost 6 months that it was packed and that was the only time we had "Karimeen" here :( 

Thank God Prawns is one fish we get very fresh here most of the time , though its difficult to clean,its worth doing , as prawns always tastes good, the real tastes is when you make it with the uncooked prawns  as we get the half cooked ones which becomes kind of rubbery when you cook it again.

This is how Ammamma (Soccer Man's Granny) prepares prawns , its simple and very tasty too , in our place (Alleppey ) its a little complicated with the addition of (meat) spice mix , its a different taste though I like it this way.

Ingredients

Prawns - 1 cup uncooked (cleaned ) 

Cocum (Tamarind) - 3 to 4 no's 

Ginger and Garlic - 1 tsp each (finely chopped , I added a little more garlic)

Turmeric powder - 1 tsp

Pepper powder - 1/4 tsp(optional)

Chili Powder - 1 table spoon.

Coconut pieces - 1/4 cup (Optional , I didn't have these) 

Onion - 1 medium chopped (use shallots if you have ,10 -12 no's that taste awesome )

Coconut Oil - 2 table spoon.

Salt to taste

Curry Leaves- 1 spring 

Method 

* Marinate the prawns with salt, pepper powder (if using) , turmeric powder ,ginger , garlic and 1/2 spring of curry leaves , coconut pieces (if using) and  Cocum , marinate for 10-15 minutes and cook in medium flame for 10 minutes keeping it covered. sprinkle little water before cooking.

* Add the chopped Onion or shallots to the almost cooked prawns , stir and combine , cook for another 5 minutes in medium heat till the water in the prawns almost dries.

* Make space (well ) in the middle and add oil ,wait till th oil heats up to add the chili powder. 

Coconut oil acts stubborn sometimes 

* Add the rest of the curry leaves and mix well to combine. Serve Hot with Rice.

Couldn't wait to take a stylish picture of the same , we were hungry....

Cheers

TN