Chemmeen Manga Curry

Prawns season has started in Bahrain. I should say that’s one of the few exciting things that I look forward to in this scorching summer season. I’ve heard some people say prawns is one of the major contributor for cholesterol where as some say it isn’t.  I don’t know whom to believe, hhmm… since am a hardcore prawns fan I guess I will go with the second group ;).

Usually I make dry preparations with prawns like prawns roast, prawns olathiyathu etc; For a change I tried this preparation and am happy with it. Hope you will also like it :). Back home we don’t make prawns curry at all, we make only prawns olathiyathu. However my mom in law makes fish curry with mango and I love that curry, so I had that taste in mind while making this and this one was quite similar to that. Btw, am not sure which part of Kerala this style of preparation belongs to, let me guess…north Kerala??? You are welcome to share if you know it :)

Here is the recipe:

1. Cleaned prawns – 250gm
   Raw mango (pacha manga) – 1, sliced into small pieces
   Onion – 1, sliced finely
2. Ginger – 1/2 – 1 tbsp
   Green chilli – 2
   Coriander powder – 1 tbsp
   Chilly powder – 1/2 – 1 tbsp
   Turmeric powder – 1/4 tsp
3. Medium thick coconut milk – 1 1/2 cups
   Thick coconut milk – 1 cup
4. Small onion – 4, sliced finely
   Mustard – 1/2 tsp
   Salt
   Curry leaves
   Oil

Grind number 2 ingredients with a little water. Combine prawns, mango & onion with ground masala. Add medium thick coconut milk & salt to this. Mix well. Cook till the gravy becomes thick & the prawns are done. Add thick coconut milk. Bring it to a boil and remove from fire.

Heat oil in a pan &  splutter  mustard. Add small onions & curry leaves. Fry it till the onion becomes golden brown. Add it to the curry. Serve hot with rice.

Notes: You can add or reduce the qty of raw mango, depending on its sourness. I use Maggi coconut milk powder. For 1 cup of thick coconut milk, add 3 heaped tbsp of coconut milk powder to 1 cup of water and for  1 cup of medium thick coconut milk, add 2 heaped tbsp of coconut milk powder to 1 cup of water. You can adjust the qty of coconut powder as per your requirements.

Recipe source: Vanitha Magazine

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MariasMenu is a popular food blog written by Maria Jose with its no nonsense simple, tasty and delicious recipes – all tried and tested by readers, family and friends alike. Read more about Maria and her venture.