Chemmeen - Karikku Masala / Prawns - Tender Coconut Masala

Ingredients:

10-12 big prawns, cleaned with tails intact

1/4 cup tender coconut/ karikku, thinly sliced

2 tsp ginger, sliced

2 tsp garlic, chopped

2 green chillies, sliced

10-12 shallots, sliced

1 tomato, sliced

2 dry red chillies

1 tsp chilli powder

1/4 tsp turmeric powder

2 tsp lemon juice

1 tbsp coconut paste (grind little grated coconut adding 1-2 tbsp water till smooth)

a pinch of fenugreek powder

1 sprig curry leaves

1 tsp mustard seeds

salt to taste

1 1/2 tbsp oil

Preparation:

1. Heat oil in a pan and splutter mustard seeds. Add ginger, garlic and green chillies and saute for 30 seconds on medium flame.
2. Add dry red chillies and curry leaves and saute well. Add sliced shallots and saute well till transparent.
3. Add turmeric powder and chilli powder and mix well till the raw smell disappears.
4. Add cleaned prawns ,tomatoes and lemon juice and mix well. Add salt and little water to this, mix well and allow to boil.
5. Then add coconut paste and mix well. Add sliced tender coconut and mix well till masala is well coated with prawns and tender coconut.
6. Add a pinch of fenugreek powder and mix well. Remove from the flame and serve hot...

• Adjust the spice level to your taste...