Basale Chemmeen Kadumbu / Steamed Rice Dumplings in Prawns and Malabar Spinach Gravy

Ingredients:

For Kadumbu (Rice dumplings)

2 cups rice flour

1/2 cup grated coconut

1/2 tsp fennel seeds

1 small onion, chopped

2 cups of water

salt

For Basale - Chemmeen Gravy

1 bunch malabar spinach / basale

1/2-3/4 kg prawns, cleaned

5-6 dry red chillies ( adjust to your spice level)

1/2 tbsp coriander seeds

1/2 tsp cumin seeds

1/2 tsp turmeric powder

2 garlic cloves

1 onion, chopped

1 small tomato, chopped

1 1/2 cup grated coconut

1 sprig curry leaves

salt to taste

Preparation:

1. For preparing kadumbu, first crush grated coconut, fennel seeds and small onion together.
2. Boil water and salt in a pan. Add this boiling water to the rice flour and mix well.
3. Add the crushed coconut mixture and knead well to a smooth dough.
4. Make small balls out of the dough and slightly flatten it and steam cook in a steamer for 10-12 minutes..Keep them aside..
5. Separate the leaves and stems of basale/ malabar spinach and wash it properly. Roughly chop the leaves ( about 3 cup) and cut the tender stems ( about 1 cup) into 4 inch pieces.
6. Cook the basale leaves and stems with chopped tomato and onion adding enough water and salt.
7. In the meantime, grind grated coconut together with dry red chillies, coriander seeds, cumin seeds and garlic cloves adding little water into a thick smooth paste.
8. Add the ground coconut paste, curry leaves and cleaned prawns to the cooked basale and cook for few minutes. Adjust the salt.
9. When it boils well, add the prepared kadumbu/ rice dumplings into this,mix well and cook on low flame for 5 minutes or until the gravy is thick and well coated with rice dumplings....Serve as a main dish...