Craving a taste of South India? Try this simple and delicious South Indian prawn curry, also known as Kerala Shrimp Curry or Malabar Chemmeen Curry. This comforting recipe combines the sweetness of prawns or shrimp with the creamy richness of coconut and the tangy zest of tamarind. It's a must-try!
Jump to:
- Cooking made easy
- Review of Dadur Hommade Products
- Instant South Indian Prawn Curry Recipe!
- Step-by-step
- Recipe Card
- Substitution
- Prawn Recipes
- Some Interesting Pairing Options
- Have you tried the Kerala Shrimp Curry recipe from Debjanir Rannaghar!
- Here's the Malabar Chemmeen Curry Recipe Pin for your Pinterest Board
As a working mom and recipe writer, I often get asked how I juggle family, work, and this blog. People wonder if I dedicate enough time to my family or how I manage to blog alongside a demanding career. When I sense criticism, I usually stay silent. But when I feel my experience could help someone else trying to balance everything, I share my thoughts. So far, I've managed a full-time career, and I believe my daughter's adaptable nature has been a key factor in allowing me to work with peace of mind.
Speaking of family, I'm incredibly fortunate to have a supportive and helpful family that is proud of my choices.
My blog began as a place to share recipes, but it's evolved into a collection of everything I eat, review, and even my travel adventures. Recipes are still at the heart of it all, and I only share dishes I actually cook for my family.
Cooking made easy
Think of it as easy cooking for busy people, using things like pre-mixes and concentrates to create authentic flavors quickly. I focus on home-cooked meals, taking photos and writing about them afterward. I prefer simple, fuss-free recipes because, like many of you, I have limited time. That's probably why I love using readily available pastes, purees, and lemon concentrates - they're just as good as fresh ingredients in a pinch. I love trying different brands and keeping them on hand, especially when I'm short on time or need to whip something up for unexpected guests!
Review of Dadur Hommade Products
I was recently thrilled to receive a huge box of wonderful products from "Dabur Hommade" - and I mean huge! Inside, I found four packs each of their Ginger-Garlic Paste, Tamarind Paste, Tomato Puree, Coconut Milk, Lemoneez, and Capsico. I've used most of these before, and Lemoneez is especially handy when I'm out of lemons but still want lemon tea or Nimbu-pani. The same goes for their Ginger-Garlic paste!
Capsico was the only new product for me, but now that I have four bottles, I've been adding it to noodles and all sorts of dishes. Dabur has always been a favorite brand in our family. My dad even joked, "Did they send you Chyawanprash with the pastes and purees?!" (We love having roti with Dabur Chyawanprash!). Dabur is a brand we trust for so many products, probably because of their commitment to "Science-based Ayurveda."
Instant South Indian Prawn Curry Recipe!
I'm excited to be using a variety of Dabur Hommade products in my cooking! Today, I made a delicious South Indian Prawn Curry with coconut milk, tamarind paste, and Lemoneez. When I made it, I left out the chili peppers because Pasta wanted to try it, and she doesn't like spicy food. If you make this recipe, feel free to add chili peppers if you like a little heat!
Step-by-step
- Prep Work
First, clean the prawns well, remove the shells, and take out the vein. Then, rub them with half the salt and turmeric powder. Let them sit for 15 minutes. Next, chop an onion and make a paste from another one.
- Frying the Prawns / Shrimps
Heat oil in a wok. Fry the prawns until they turn reddish, then take them out and set aside.
- Tempering
In the remaining oil, add asafoetida, curry leaves, and dried red chili.
- Gravy
Add the chopped onion and fry until golden brown. Now, add the onion paste and tamarind paste and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add the ginger-garlic paste and tomato puree. Mix well and cook for two minutes, until the tomato smell is gone. Add cumin powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, red chili powder, sugar, and salt. Cook until the mixture starts to separate from the sides of the pan.
- Gravy further
Pour in the coconut milk and bring to a boil.
- Cooking the prawn
Add 2 cups of water and the fried prawns. Cover and cook until the curry reaches the thickness you like.
- Added Flavor to enhance
Stir in the garam masala powder and a little lemon juice to finish the curry.
- Serving
Serve this South Indian Prawn Curry with hot rice.
Recipe Card
South Indian Prawn Curry
Ingredients
- 750 g Medium sized Prawn de-veined and de-shelled
- 2 Onion
- 1 cup Coconut Milk I have used Dabur Hommade Coconut Milk
- 1 teaspoon Tamarind Paste I have used Dabur Hommade Tamarind Paste
- 1 teaspoon Ginger Paste
- 1.5 teaspoon Garlic Paste
- 1 tablespoon Tomato Puree I have used Dabur Hommade Tomato Puree
- 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice I have used Dabur Hommade Lemoneez
- 20 Curry Leaves
- 1 Dry Red Chili
- ½ teaspoon Asafoetida
- ⅔ teaspoon Cumin Powder
- ⅔ teaspoon Coriander Powder
- ⅔ teaspoon Garam Masala Powder
- 1 teaspoon Turmeric Powder
- 1 teaspoon Red Chili Powder
- 1 teaspoon Sugar optional
- 1.5 teaspoon Salt or to Taste
- 3 tablespoon Refined Oil
Instructions
- Wash Prawns thoroughly and de-vein and de-shell them.
- Leave the prawns for 15 minutes after rubbing half of the salt and turmeric Powder.
- Chop one onion and make a paste of 1 onion.
- Heat Oil in a wok and fry marinated prawns until they turn reddish. Strain from oil and keep aside.
- Temper the remaining oil with Asafoetida, Curry leaves, and dried red chili.
- Add chopped onion and fry till the onion turns golden in color.
- Now add Onion paste and Tamarind paste and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Now add ginger-garlic paste and tomato puree.
- After thorough mixing, cook for two minutes until the raw aroma of the tomato is gone completely.
- Add Cumin Powder, Coriander Powder, Turmeric Powder, Red Chili Powder, Sugar, and Salt, and cook till the mixture leaves the edges of the pan.
- Add Coconut Milk and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Now add 2 cups of water and fried Prawns as well, and cook by covering the pan till the desired consistency is reached.
- Add Garam Masala Powder and a little Lemon Juice (I have used Lemoneez) and finish the curry.
- Serve South Indian Prawn Curry with hot steamed rice.
Notes
Substitution
- Feel free to use coconut oil instead of refined oil.
- Also, prawns and shrimps work well in this recipe, so use whichever you prefer or is easier to find.
- I opted for convenience with instant coconut milk, tamarind paste, lemon juice, and tomato puree, but fresh ingredients would certainly enhance the flavor!
Nutrition
Prawn Recipes
Some Interesting Pairing Options
Have you tried the Kerala Shrimp Curry recipe from Debjanir Rannaghar!
Please let me know your experience, and feel free to send a photo to [email protected]. Additionally, you can find me on various social media platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Pinterest, Google News, X, and Thread. Don't forget to use the hashtag #debjanirrannaghar when sharing your attempts at my recipes or if you have any questions or recipe requests.
Here's the Malabar Chemmeen Curry Recipe Pin for your Pinterest Board
About Debjani Chatterjee Alam
I am Debjani Chatterjee Alam. A CSR specialist by profession and a food writer, food blogger, and food photographer as well. I live in Kolkata along with my Husband Mehebub who is an architect by profession, my daughter Pasta, and also my dog daughters Coffee and Luchi.
Disclaimer: PR samples received from Dabur Hommade.
anindya sundar basu says
Ekdin Khaoa ?
Debjani says
Ekdum...amar beef korar kotha chilo.. bolle prawn kortei pari amader gono addar dine..