Kerala Prawn Roast

Which is prawn and which is shrimp ?? Some says , the smaller variety is called shrimp and the larger ones prawn . Some says both are different , but very closely related.Anyway as far as I understand , the two terms are interchangeably used in recipes everywhere . Prawns are one of our family favorite and here is a recipe from my good friend "Renmom"( I have a large circle of moms around me and thank you all for the wonderful recipes )

INGREDIENTS
1/2 lb Prawns , Shelled and deveined
2 onions ,Thinly sliced
1 piece kokum (fish tamarind)
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp + 1/2 tsp gingergarlic paste
1 tsp + 1/2 tsp chilli powder
3/4 tsp coriander powder
1 tomato diced
1/2 tsp lime juice
1/4 tsp garam masala
few curry leaves
cilantro to garnish

DIRECTIONS

1. Boil the prawns in some water with 1/4 tsp turmeric powder, salt and a piece of Kokkum( kudam puli or fish tamarind) or 1/4 tsp tamarind paste.
   
2. Take it off fire as soon as the color of the prawns change and it curls up.
   
3. Marinate the cooked prawns in 1/2 tsp chilli powder 1/2 tsp garlic ginger paste and a pinch of salt. Shallow fry the marinated prawns and set it aside.
4. In a kadai saute the onions until its golden brown, add ginger garlic paste and tomato and saute it till the oil separates.
   
5. Add the chilli powder, coriander powder, and garam masala and saute it for another minute or 2. Add the fried prawns , lime juice and curry leaves .
   
6. Adjust the salt and take it off fire.Garnish with cilantro and serve hot.(If you would like the dish to have gravy add 3-4 tbsp of the water in which the prawns was cooked after adding the fried prawns. )
   

Mustard Beef

Trying something different with the everyday ingredients definetly makes cooking very interesting. Thats exactly what this recipe is about.Instead of making beef curry with the everyday coriander-chilli- garam masla try this for a change . I bet you wont miss a thing . Adjust the pepper and chilli according to your taste .And make sure you spend some time sauting those onions till they are nice and brown.

INGREDIENTS

2 lbs of beef thinly sliced
1 tbsp pepper corns (or more)
1 tbsp mustard
1 inch piece of ginger chopped
6 cloves of garlic
4 onions thinly sliced
2-5 dry chillies crushed
(depending on taste)
4 tbsp tomato ketchup
salt to taste
cooking oil as required
a few curry leaves
juice of half lime




DIRECTIONS

1. Grind together pepper corns , mustard , ginger and garlic using little water . Pressure cook beef with the ground masala and sufficient salt.


2. While beef is cooking , heat little oil in a pan and saute the onions with salt , curry leaves and dry chillies till onions are nicely browned. Drain them out.


3. When beef is cooked and well dried , add a little more oil to the pan . Add the beef and saute till beef is well fried . Now add the ketchup and mix well.


4. Finally add the onions and lime juice. Mix and serve with rice or chapathi .

Kadai Paneer

Kadai Paneer is a very popular north indian vegetarian dish . Bellpepper(Capsicum) is still fried and added to paneer and spices to make this wonderful dish.Kasoori methi which is the dried fenugreek leaves add a wonderful aroma and flavour .Typically served in a small kadai(wok) , this dish is called so not for nothing.Be prepared and be ready to stand in front of that kadai and stir for quite sometime.

INGREDIENTS

2 cups paneer cubed
1 large bell pepper chopped
3 medium onions chopped
1 large tomato chopped
2 tsp ginger garlic paste
2 tsp mild chilli powder
1 tbsp coriander powder
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp cumin powder
1/2 tsp garam masala
1/2 tsp kasoori mathi
2 tbsp tomato paste
2 tbsp fresh cream to garnish
cooking oil /ghee as required




DIRECTIONS

1. Cook the chopped onions in a microwave for 7-10 minutes checking in between so that it wont burn.Let it cool down and then puree it using a blender.


2. In a small bowl take all the masala powders; Chilli powder , Coriander powder , Turmeric powder and cumin powder. Add some water and make it paste and set aside.


3. Apply a little ghee on a hot non stick skillet and arrange the paneer . Slightly roast both sides of the paneer.


4. In a pan , heat some oil and add the chopped tomatoe and bellpepper. Stir fry for about 5 minutes till bell pepper is soft .Drain them out .


5. Add some more oil to pan if required . Then add the onion paste and saute for 2 minutes . Then add the ginger garlic paste . Continue sauting the onion-ginger-garlic paste till it turns brown.Then add the masala paste and continue sauting till oil separates.


6. Add tomato paste , kasoori methi and garam masala. Mix well , add water is required and saute for a minute. Then add the fried bellpepper.Cook for 4-5 minutes stirring in between . Finally add the paneer and stir gently. Garnish with cream and serve hot with rice or rotis.

Pad Thai

Pad Thai is a dish of stir fried rice noodles with vegetables and is a street food in Thailand . Shrimp , chicken or tofu is added and then topped with peanuts.With the right amount of oil and spices , pad thai can be a very hearty and healthy meal. This is also a perfect meal for vegetarians . You can avoid shrimp and put more vegetables or tofu.

INGREDIENTS
1 (14 oz) pck rice noodles
4 cloves garlic minced
1 1/2 lbs shrimp
4 cups bean sprouts
8 oz firm Tofu cubed
1/2 cup toasted peanuts
a bunch of scallions or spring onions chopped
3 eggs
1/4 cup fish sauce
4 tbsp soya sauce
1/2 tbsp tamarind pulp
3 tsp sugar
1/2 cup rice wine vinegar
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp paprika
2-3 dry chillies crushed
Vegetable oil as required
Lime wedges to serve


DIRECTIONS

1. Soak noodles warm water for about 5-7 minutes.Drain and set aside.


2. Toast the peanuts , peel and set aside.


3. Beat the eggs and add a little bit of salt . Cook in a skillet and set aside as scrambled.


4. In a small bowl , mix together fish sauce , soya sauce , tamarind pulp , rice wine vinegar and salt . Mix till sugar dissolves and set aside.


5. Use a large wok . If you dont have one use a nice size pot . Heat some oil in the wok and add the shrimp and garlic . Stir fry till shrimp is halfway done and then add the paprika , cayenne pepper and dry chillies . Use the spices according to your taste.


6. Then add the noodles and sauce mixture and toss well. Then add the sprouts , tofu , peanuts , spring onions and toss well.


7. When the shrimp is cooked and all the ingredients are heated through , remove from heat . Garnish with scrambled eggs and lime wedges . Serve hot.