Kitchen Corner-Try It

Spicy Prawns Fry/Nadan Chemmeen Varuthathu Today's recipe is a spicy, succulent, and delicious prawns fry. Spicy flavored jumbo prawns/shrimp are fried to crispy golden perfection. Do you love prawns? Prawns are popular among seafood lovers and are my absolute favorite. This simple and flavorful fried prawns is an addictive snack and is a pure joy to indulge with. This Kerala style prawns fry has intense flavor from the masala paste made of garlic, ginger, shallots, coconut, and chilly powder. Now we all know, certain flavors have an affinity for each other. There can be no doubt that garlic, ginger, black pepper, and coconut oil complement the flavor of prawns. Throw in some curry leaves, and the flavor will be divine. There is a little tang from the vinegar and makes it even more delicious. If you do not want to use vinegar, try squeezing fresh lemon juice just before serving. This crispy prawns ready under 15 minutes and will be the star of any meal. This one I called na...

Chemmeen Thoran/ Prawns Coconut Stir Fry Today's recipe is a traditional naadan recipe- a real nostalgia from the coastal regions of Kerala. Seafood thoran is a regional favorite and can be made with fish, prawns, clams, mussels, squid or crab. You'd be surprised at how simple and filling, this can be. What you add to it is totally up to you. You can also make a mixed seafood thoran. Thoran is usually a quick stir fry with vegetables, grated coconut, and spices. This dish is simple and you can make thoran with almost any vegetable, meat or seafood. I assure you that you are not in for a complicated curry, but one that is simple and easy to make. Just cook the prawns or any seafood of your choice, add spices and hand full of freshly grated coconut and stir fry. This simple and easy to make a side dish and is served with steamed rice. I have already shared the recipe for  chicken thoran  and fish thoran. Back home mom makes thoran and  peera vattichathu...

Prawns Ghee Roast -Mangalorean Spicy Prawns Masala Today's recipe is an aromatic and extremely flavorful Prawns ghee roast. It is a popular seafood delicacy of Mangalore. If you love indulging in spicy exotic food, then you don't want to miss on this yummy prawns masala. It is lip-smacking delicious with the right balance of heat and flavor. The magic ingredients are the earthy spices and flavorful ghee or clarified butter. Mangalore is a food lovers paradise. It is a port city and the melting pot of several cultures and unique cuisines. I had been to Udupi and Mangalore and experienced a unique, diverse culture. Their spicy seafood delicacies will make you crave for more. We had hearty meals and the food was excellent. It got me intrigued by this cuisine and I wanted to recreate some at home. I have already posted recipes like Chicken ghee roast and Mangalore fish curry. The cuisine of coastal regions like Mangalore has fish as an indispensable part of an everyday...

Pepper Prawns Fry Deep-fried spicy and salty prawns are irresistible and one of my favorite ways to eat prawns. Do you love prawns? Prawns are popular among seafood lovers and are my absolute favorite. This crispy fry will be a perfect treat for your family. Pepper Prawns fry is crispy fried prawns with exciting flavors of garlic, butter, zesty lemon, and a kick of pepper. It is my take to butter garlic shrimp, but a little spicy. This recipe is so versatile and easy to prepare. These crispy prawns are ready in under 15 minutes and will be the star of any meal.  If you are frying prawns, you can leave the heads on the prawns. It adds stronger flavor, and when fried, has an irresistible delicate crispness to it, juicy and equally tasty. Thanks to hubby to convinced me that the head is the most flavorful part of prawns. If you are not a fan of the head,  don’t worry. You can use regular shrimp instead. Prawns fry is easy to make. Here are a few tips to get them crispy and...

Prawns and Vegetable Stew Prawns and vegetable stew is quick and easy to make. Stew is made with a generous amount of coconut milk and has a delicate flavor and great taste. Coconut milk adds a creamy and rich taste to the stew. Spicy chili and earthy spices give the right balance of sweetness, heat, and flavor. Stews made with coconut milk are one of the quintessential dishes of Kerala cuisine. Appam and stew is a popular breakfast recipe. Appam and chicken stew are served as the first course at wedding parties. This is a classic one you will never get tired of eating.  Mild, creamy, and flavorful stew eaten out of the bowl with soft bread is a comforting meal. It is my go-to, especially on cold winter evenings. It is simple enough to make for a weekday dinner, and the curry is ready in under twenty minutes. This stew is versatile, and you can make countless variations by adding fish, chicken, mutton, or beef. You can use a combination of vegetables like potatoes, sweet po...

Sri Lankan Prawn Vada/Isso Wade Deep-fried lentil fitters are addictive snacks. It has a taste all to its own- crunchy, delicious, and mildly spicy. It is a perfect accompaniment with piping hot tea. The Sri Lankan Prawn Vada/Isso Wade is very similar to the parippu vada served in tea stalls in South India. Adding shrimp takes this snack to a new level. Sri Lanka has an extensive collection of  Short Eats  or snacks that are eaten anytime at bakeries, restaurants, and tea stalls.   The book  Sri Lankan Cooking: 64 Recipes from the Chefs and Kitchens of Sri Lanka by Douglas Bullis, Wendy Hutton  was my first introduction to Sri Lankan cooking. It has several unique recipes, and this vada was one among them. There are some similarities with South Indian food. The close physical proximity between Sri Lanka and Southern India explains similarities in culinary practices. But the island nation has its unique touch.  Isso Wade is a distant cousin of par...

Prawns/Chemmeen Manga Peera   Chemmeen Manga peera is very similar to meen pattichathu made with small fish like anchovies, sardine etc.This  is a traditional recipe of Kerala where fish or prawns is cooked along with grated coconut . The difference in this recipe is that instead of  Kudampuli or tamarind  as a souring agent, raw mango is used. Mango imparts taste and flavor to the spiced coconut  mixture along with the prawns,smells and tastes delicious. Chemmeen peera can be served as a side dish for rice. Ingredients Chemmeen/prawns- 1 lb Raw mango- 1 medium Grated coconut- 1 cup Green chilly-4 Onion- 1 small  (or shallots- 5-6) Ginger- 1 inch thick Turmeric powder- 1/3 tsp Fenugreek powder- a pinch Chilly powder-1/4 tsp Salt to taste For tempering Mustard seeds- 1/2 tsp Fenugreek seeds- a few Dry red chilly 3 Curry leaves- one spring Two tsp of coconut oil Wash and clean prawns and keep aside. Peel...

Prawn Omelette Prawns omelette/omelet is a quick and easy breakfast/brunch recipe.You can whip up a quick and light brunch which is filling and tasty. Remember the bread omelet breakfast combo with bread, butter, omelet and ketchup .Here is a twist to it..use prawns omelette, in place of the regular omelet. Ingredients Eggs-2 Small prawns peeled- 1/3 cup Chopped bell pepper- 1/4 cup Onion chopped- 1/2 Chopped ginger- 1/3 tsp Garlic- 1 clove Chopped green chilly- 1 Salt and pepper to taste Garam masala- a pinch Heat oil in a pan and add chopped onion,garlic, ginger and bell pepper. Saute till it becomes golden brown. Add the prawns, pepper, salt and garam masala. Saute for three minutes till the prawns is cooked and the masala is dry. Allow this to cool down. Beat egg till it is light and bubbly. Add half of the prawns masala and mix. Heat oil in a pan and pour the egg mixture and allow the bottom to set and spread the rest of the masala on top. When one side is gol...

Yeung Chau Fried Rice Yeung Chau Fried rice is popular menu in Chinese restaurants. Yeung Chau is a province in China known for its superior fried rice dishes.  It is colorful and flavorful with with tender crispy vegetables, prawns and meat. Barbequed pork is one of the key ingredient n this fried rice. I used grilled salmon fish instead. So this is a seafood Yeung chau fried rice. Oyster sauce, curry powder or Chinese five spice  is used instead of soya sauce. Give this recipe a try, you will surely love it. Recipe source: Leeann Chin and Katie Chin, Everyday Chinese Cooking . Ingredients White rice/ basmathi rice- cooked- 2 cup Egg-1 Chopped onion- 1/2 cup Garlic- 2 cloves Vegetable oil- 2 tbs Peas- 1/2 cup Carrots- 1/2 cup chopped Green beans chopped- 1/3 cup Grilled Prawns- 3/4 cup Grilled salmon- 3/4 cup shredded (or barbecued pork or chicken)  Oyster sauce- 1 tbs Pepper and salt to taste Heat oil in a pan. Stir fry ...

Chemmeen Urulakhizhangu Masala/Prawns Potato Masala Chemmeen Urulakhizhangu masala is a yummy and quick side dish for rice. It is an onion tomato based spicy gravy with prawns and potatoes. It also has the crunch of toasted sliced coconut. Potatoes and prawns is a delicious combo and you will surely love this . The recipe source is my mother-in-law. Thanks Ammachi for this recipe. Ingredients Prawns- 250 grams Onion - 2 medium thinly sliced Potatoes- one cup ( thinly sliced or cubed) Tomato- 1 chopped Green chilly-3 Thinly sliced coconut- a few Chilly powder- 1 tsp Turmeric powder- 1/3 tsp Coriander powder- 1/2 tsp Curry leaves- a few Chopped coriander leaves- 1 tbs Mustard seeds- 1/3 tsp Oil as needed and salt to taste Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds. When they splutter add sliced coconut and fry for a minute. Next add curry leaves, green chilly and sliced onion and saute till it is golden brown. At this stage add tomatoes and saute till it tu...

Coconut Shrimp Rice Coconut shrimp rice is simple and flavorful one pot dish. This rice cooked in coconut milk. It  is aromatic with coconut, spices, shrimp. Toasted shredded coconut used for garnish gives it a unique flavor and taste. This can be paired with spicy curries or with raita and papad. Try this simple rice dish,you will surely love it. Ingredients  1)For the rice Basmathi rice -1 1/2 cup Cloves- 3 Cinnamon stick- 2 peices Cardamon- 2 Coconut milk thick- 1/2 cup water- 2 1/2 cup salt to taste 2)For the masala Shrimp- 1/2 pound Shredded carrot- 1/2 cup Grated coconut- 1/2 cup Onion- 1 medium Ginger chopped- 1 tbs Garlic- 3 cloves Green chilly- 3 slit Curry leaves- a few Turmeric powder- 1/2 tsp Garam masala- 1/ 2 tsp Lemon juice- 1 medium (or you can use one tomato instead) Ghee - 1 tsp  oil and salt to taste Wash rice nicely and add all ingredients listed under( 1) rice and cook in a low medium flame. Once cooked fl...

Cauliflower Prawns rice  This recipe is inspired from vegetable biryani, I once tried at a restaurant. It had fried cauliflower in it as garnish and tasted delicious. I made this prawns rice and added  crispy cauliflower fitters. It is a delicious and filling rice.Serve this is papad and pickle. Ingredients Basmathi rice-  1 1/2 cups Prawns- 15 Celery chopped- 1/3 cup Green peas- 1/3 cup (or vegetable of your choice) Finely minced cauliflower- 1/2 cup Onion- 1 medium Green chilly - 3-4 Ginger garlic paste- 1 1/2 tsp Turmeric powder- 1/3 tsp Garam masala - 1/2 tsp Ghee- 1 tbs Bay leaf-1 Salt to taste For the fitters Cauliflower florets- 1 cup Chilly powder- 1/2 tsp Fennel powder- 1/2 tsp Turmeric powder- a pinch Corn starch- 2 tbs Flour- 2 tbs Oil for frying Salt to taste Heat ghee in a heavy bottom pan. Add bay leaf and ginger garlic paste and saute till raw flavor disappears.Add onion, green chilly,chopped celery and saute for two...

Italian Spicy Breaded Shrimp It is a classic appetizer from the Adriatic coast.It is crispy with the flavor of lemon,almond and cinnamon. Recipe calls for Ameretto or Italian almond liquor, I also used a little of almond flour and panko bread crumbs to the breading flour which adds a crunchy nutty flavor to the shrimp. Recipe source: Betty Crocker's Italian cooking - recipes by Antonio Cecconi Ingredients Shrimp-25 large shrimp Egg-1 Lemon juice- 1/2 lemon Ameretto-3 tbs (or 1/2 tsp almond extract) Finely chopped garlic- 2 cloves Oil for frying All propose flour-1/3 cup Almond flour- 3 tbs Panko bread crumbs-3 tbs (optional) salt- 1 tsp Ground red pepper/ Cayenne-1 tsp Ground cinnamon- 1/2 tsp Peel shrimp,leaving tails on,take off the vein. Wash and pat dry. Beat egg till light and fluffy and add amaretto,lemon juice and garlic.Into this add shrimp and mix till well coated. Cover and refrigerate for 10 minutes. Heat oil in a pan ( 325 degree F...

Goan Prawns Pickle Pickled sea food like prawns and fish is often handy, especially when you are not in a mood for elaborate cooking. I have already posted a prawns pickle recipe shared by my mom. When I read about this spicy Goan prawns pickle, it sounded interesting and I decided to give it a try. It has a very unique taste and flavor,like the Goan Vindaloo and can be stored for over a month. Recipe Source: Wendy Hutton (ed.) The Food of India , 1998. Ingredients Prawns- 1 1/2 pound Oil- 1/2 cup Cumin- 1/2 tsp Pepper powder- 3/4 tsp Turmeric powder- 1/2 tp Onion- 1 medium Garlic- 10- 12 cloves Ginger- 3 one inch peices Cardomon- 4 Chilly dried- 15 Cinnamon powder- 1/2 tsp Vinegar- 3/4 cup Soak dry red chilly in vinegar for about an hour. Grind all the rest of the ingredients except oil, prawns and turmeric powder into a fine paste. Do not add any water. If you need add more vinegar for grinding. Set this paste aside. Marinate prawns with ...

Shrimp Vermicelli/Rice Noodles Rice noodles/ Vermicelli is quick to prepare and this dish is inspired by the South Asian stir fry. I usually use vermicelli to make pudding and for upma. I first saw shrimp Vermicelli recipe in Betty's kitchen in you tube. I spiced it up a bit a added a little more Asian Flavor.This noodles is more healthy and a satisfying meal. Ingredients Rice vermicelli/rice noodles- 12 oz. Shrimp cleaned- 1/2 cup Bell pepper thinly sliced- 1/2 cup Carrots- thinly sliced- 1/2 cup ( you can also add cabbage or bean sprouts) Celery chopped- 3 tbs Egg-2 Shallots- 2 Garlic- 3 pods Dry chilly flakes- 1/2 tsp Soya sauce- 2 tsp Sugar- 1/2 tsp Oyster sauce- 1/2 tsp Chilly garlic sauce- 1/2 tsp Pepper - a dash Salt to taste Soak vermicelli in hot boiling water till it is soft. Drain the vermicelli into a colander and place under cold running water for a few seconds. Allow the water to completely drain off. Drizzle two tsp of oil (preferabl...

Prawns pakora can be served as a quick appetizer or as a spicy side dish with rice. If you are a prawns lover you should  give this recipe a try. It is made with minced prawns and spices and deep fried. This brings out more flavor of prawns and spices and is a mouthwatering appetizer.You can make another version of prawns pakoras by dipping in batter and deep frying it. Ingredients Prawns- 1 lb Shallots- 3-4 Ginger- garlic paste-1 1/2 tsp Green chilly-2 Curry leaves- a few Chilly powder- 1/3 tsp Coriander powder- 1/3 tsp Turmeric powder- 1/3 tsp Cumin powder-a small pinch Pepper powder-a dash Amchur powder- 1 pinch Chick pea flour/besan powder- 1 tbs Rice flour- 1 tsp Salt to taste Oil for frying Clean and wash prawns well. Pat dry and mince using a food processor. Finely chop onions,green chilly and curry leaves and add to the minced prawns. Mix ginger garlic powder and all the rest of the ingredients except oil and mix well. Heat oil in a pan, drop spoo...

Chemmeen Achar/Prawns Pickle Today's recipe is a spicy and tongue tickling pickle made with prawns. Everyone has their own version of this delicious pickle. This is my mother's recipe and she has been pampering me with bottles of delicious home made prawns pickle.But when I run out of my stock of pickles I have no other option but to make it myself. I assure you it is a simple and quick recipe and can be preserved for months. It goes well with rice. Small varieties of fresh prawns is best for this  recipe. Try this,you will surely love it. Ingredients To marinate the prawns Small or medium sized prawns- 1 1/2 lb Chilly powder- 1/2 tsp Turmeric powder- 1/3 tsp Salt - 1/2 tsp For the masala Ginger- 3 inch thick peice Garlic- 2 whole Green Chilly-6-8 Curry leaves- a few ( make all the above into a course mixture) Garlic thinly sliced-5- 6 cloves Mustard powder- 1 tsp ( slightly dry roast mustard and then powder it) Chilly powder- 2 Tbs Fenugreek powder- 1/2 ts...