Chemmeen (Prawn ) Vattichathu

Ingredients

To marinate

1. Prawn – 18 – 20 (Around 250 gm)

2. Turmeric powder – 1/4 tsp

    Chilly powder – 1/2 tsp

    Pepper powder – 1/2 tsp

    Ginger – garlic paste – 1 tsp

     Salt – To taste

Other ingredients

3. Pearl onions  1/4 cup, thinly sliced

Curry leaves – 1 sprig

4. Medium-thick coconut milk – 1/2 cup

5. Salt – To taste

6. Coconut oil – 2 tsp

    Mustard seeds – 1/4 tsp

     Dry red chilly – 1

7. Crushed pepper – 1 pinch

Method

1. Marinate the prawns with ingredients numbered 2. Set aside for 15 minutes.

2. Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed pan/cheena chatti. Splutter mustard seeds and fry dry red chilies. Add pearl onions, few curry leaves and saute until pearl onions start turning brown, about 3 – 5 minutes. Next add the marinated prawns. Mix well and stir everything for a minute. Add 1/2 cup coconut milk. Cook at medium heat until oil separates and the prawns are covered with the masala, about 8 minutes. Taste-check for salt. Add a pinch of crushed pepper, few curry leaves and mix well. Switch off. Serve chemmeen vattichathu with warm rice, porotta, puzhukku, chapathis etc.