• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Spice Adventuress

Food and Stories......without Borders

  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Let’s Work Together
  • Portfolio
  • Travel
  • Restaurants
Home » Nonvegetarian » Seafood » Chemeen Theeyal (Kerala Prawn Coconut Curry)

Chemeen Theeyal (Kerala Prawn Coconut Curry)

January 18, 2014 by Dhanya Samuel 5 Comments

Jump to Recipe

I have made some amazing friendships and relationships over the years but none has been as profound an experience as getting to know Seems Nair. We are good friends ‘virtually’ sharing our passion and love for food and I definitely look forward to a future where both of us can sit down over a cuppa coffee and chat for endless hours. She is probably the ‘most positive’ person that I have encountered in a long time – living life to the fullest, enjoying every second and doing things that keeps her happiest. Every time I have a chat with you Seems, I become more aware of what life and happiness is all about – thanks dear, beyond measure.

Chemeen Theeyal (Spicy Prawn Coconut Curry) - thespiceadventuress.com
8

Though our paths had crossed multiple times through the various food groups, the first time I interacted with her personally was over this recipe. She had posted this as a response to a vegetarian theeyal recipe I had posted. Being the kind-hearted soul she is, inboxed me the recipe to be tried out long back. So Seems, my tribute to your Chemeen theeyal recipe which is just as awesome as you are!

10
1

Now coming to the dish, theeyal is a popular South Indian curry which is usually best eaten with white rice. The star ingredients of a theeyal are coconut, shallots and fennel which give it an earthy, robust and rustic flavour. You can either make a vegetarian version by adding tomatoes or ladysfinger/okra or a non vegetarian one using prawns like this dish.

6
5
7
Chemeen Theeyal (Spicy Prawn Coconut Curry) - thespiceadventuress.com
Print Recipe

Chemeen Theeyal

Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Indian, Kerala

Ingredients

  • Prawns – 500gm shelled and de-veined
  • Shallots/small onion – 10-15 depending on size, sliced finely
  • Garlic – 3 cloves – finely chopped
  • Shredded coconut – 1 cup
  • Curry leaves – 3 sprigs use only the leaves
  • Red chilli powder – 2 tsp
  • Coriander powder – 3 tsp
  • Turmeric powder – ½ tsp
  • Tamarind – a small ball soaked in water (should give about 2 tbsp of thick extract)
  • Coconut oil – 1 tbsp
  • Fenugreek powder – ¼ tsp
  • Salt – to season

Instructions

  • In a non stick pan, dry roast (on low flame) the shredded/grated coconut along with half of the curry leaves, half of the sliced onions and garlic till light brown. Take care not to burn the coconut as this will lend a bitter taste to the dish. When almost done, add turmeric powder, chilli powder and coriander powder.
  • Cool this well and grind to a smooth paste with just enough water.
  • In another kadai or earthenware pot (if you have, use it), add this ground paste, tamarind extract and 1 cup of water. Season with salt and bring to boil.
  • Add the prawns and cook till done. Add more water if necessary to get the semi-thick consistency.
  • Make a tempering with the remaining sliced onions and curry leaves. Add this as a garnish to the dish and stir through just before serving.
  • Serve hot with steamed white rice.

9





Previous Post: « Shredded Chicken Sandwich
Next Post: Roasted Bell Pepper Soup »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Shalzzz

    January 19, 2014 at 5:04 am

    Awesome, it is one of my favorites too!! And this was my version: http://taleoftwotomatoes.wordpress.com/2013/12/05/shrimp-theeyal/ 🙂 🙂

    Reply
    • vanyadhanya

      January 19, 2014 at 7:10 am

      awesome.

      Reply
  2. afracooking

    January 18, 2014 at 11:41 am

    This looks like such a wonderfull heartwarming spicy dish!

    Reply
  3. lapetitepaniere

    January 18, 2014 at 3:32 am

    My favorite seafood recipe is “Sardine Escabeche” a kind of fry, spicy and marinated Mediterranean dish.

    Reply
    • vanyadhanya

      January 18, 2014 at 4:26 am

      never heard of it…got a recipe to try?

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Find A Recipe

NEVER MISS A RECIPE!

Sign up for new recipes, tips, techniques to make cooking more fun. Also find inspiration to plan your next holiday or the best restaurants to dine out.

Hi, I am Dhanya. The Spice Adventuress is my alter ego. Through her, I fulfill my desire to put my thoughts into words, explore my restless creative soul and express it through food and photography.

Read My Journey


© 2023 • The Spice Adventuress • Privacy Policy • Disclosure Policy