May 31, 2006

Shrimp-Drumstick Curry/ Chemmeen-Muringakka Chaaru


This is a curry which doesn't have a singular name and rather has a list of ingredients as its identity. It is a summery dish made special by the availabilty of bits and pieces of local flavours. A piece of unripe mango, some drumsticks, some jackfruit seeds leftover from an overindulgence of jackfruit eating, and some shrimps to give it the semblance of a fish curry. Everything thats found in my parent's house during the humid summer, and everything I buy from the freezer section here in an effort to recreate the monsoon magic.

Cooking time:15 mins but preparation time is another 5 mins.
You will need:
Shrimp-1/4 kg or 1/2 lb, cleaned and sliced into a suitable size.
Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
Red chilli powder- 1 tsp
Coriander powder-2tbsp
Aniseed powder-1/2 tsp
Green Mango- 1/2. cut into big slices.
Drumsticks- 2 long ones, cut into 3 inch pieces.
Jackfruit seeds- 10-15 nos, without skin.
Onion- 1 medium size one chopped finely
Green chillies - 5 nos sliced
Garlic cloves - 3 cloves
Ginger-1/2" piece
Grated coconut - 1/2 cup
Salt - to taste
For seasoning:
Oil-2 tbsp
Fenugreek- 1 tsp
Curry leaves - 10 nos
Small onions/shallots- 4 nos chopped

Preparation Method
1. Wash the shrimps and lightly toss it with salt and rinse again. Drain well onto paper towels or slotted drainer.
2.Crush the ginger and garlic together.
3. Grind coconut and aniseed together with very little water and keep aside. The consistency of the paste should be smooth and not too watery.
4. Heat the oil lightly and add onions. Saute it till it turns transparent and then add the green chillies, ginger, garlic.
5. Fry for a minute and then add the mango, drumsticks, jackfruit seeds and 1 cup water. Add the spices. When the mango is cooked, add the shrimps and salt.
6. When it boils, lower the heat and add the coconut paste mixed with 1/4 cup water. Check for salt and add if needed. Simmer on low heat for another 4-5 mins.
7. Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a pan. Season with fenugrrek seeds, curry leaves and shallots.Fry for
a minute till the shallots turn light brown and pour over the curry.
Serve with rice.

7 comments:

sailu said...

Oh this is a must-try dish for me. Nice recipe,Shaheen. Bookmarking it!!

archana said...

I wonder why i missed your blog all these days. This is one of my favorite shrimp curries, havn't made it for a while. Thank you for posting the recipe

Unknown said...

Super delicious!!!

Anonymous said...

I tried this recipe....it was a hit in my house. It tasted almost like korma...My hubby didn't like the drumstick in it... he thought it doesn't work well in that curry but otherwise he liked it too....thanks a lot shaheen...lot of your recipes are in my must try list. You and annita really rock....great job you guys.

Rg.

Finla said...

I made this recipe and both my daughter and hubby liked it.
I didn't had jackfruit seed si didn't add that and also didn't add shrimps as i made the dish for onam

Finla said...

Well mallugirl, i made this dish again and as it was so delicious last time when i made.
I have posted it in my blog :-)))) courtsey to you

Anonymous said...

oh i was searching for this recipe.i can already get the smell of shrimp cooking...delicious....