Chemmeen Achar - Kerala Style Prawns Pickle

Kerala Konju / Chemmeen Achar

(dry version with optional sun dried method)

Bowl 1 ( marinate and sun dry)

Shrimp / Chemmeen - 1/2 kg ( fresh or cooked)
Kashmiri red chili powder - 1 tea spoon
Turmeric powder - a large pinch
Salt to taste
Oil for frying

Bowl 2

(Kashmiri )Red chili powder - 2 tea spoon ( use as per your heat level)
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tea spoon
Vinegar - 2 table spoon
Crushed pepper - 1/4 tea spoon ( optional)

Bowl 3

Mustard seeds - 1 tea spoon
Fenugreek seeds - 1/2 tea spoon or powder - 1/4 tea spoon
Garlic sliced - 8-10 cloves
Ginger sliced - 2 tea spoon
Green chili sliced - 1 or 2
Curry leaves - 2-3 strings
Hing / kaayam - a large pinch
Vinegar - 2 table spoon( optional)
Nalenna /Gingelly oil - 2 or 3 table spoon
Salt to taste

Directions:-

If using fresh shrimp , clean , devein it and wash it thoroughly. I used frozen cooked salad shrimp , so i just thawed it overnight in the fridge .

Marinate it with all other ingredients in Bowl 1 , arrange it on a tray or cookie sheet and leave it open in the sun for a day or two. I keep it from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm for nearly 2 days . Every evening take it inside ,leave it on your counter top , covered or uncovered.

So if you don't wanna wait till then , marinate the shrimp , keep it for some time and the fry it. ( See notes @ the end to see other options)

When your ready to make it , fry the shrimp in oil. You can either deep fry or shallow fry it.But i prefer deep frying for this. Drain on paper towels. Set aside

Grind all the ingredients in Bowl 2 to a fine paste. Sprinkle a table spoon of water if necessary.

Heat some oil from the fried shrimp pan , or you can use nalenna / sesame oil for this step.

Add mustard seeds ,when they splutter add fenugreek seeds. ( if using fenugreek powder use at the end of cooking)

Slide in chopped ginger, garlic,green chiles and curry leaves and fry for 3-4 minutes on medium flame till the raw smell disappears . Add the Bowl 2 - chili paste and mix well. Sprinkle 1/4 cup water and bring to boil.....

Stir in the fried Prawns and combine well , Saute for 3-4 minutes, till it is heated through ( add fenugreek powder if you are using it now ) Give a salt check . Switch off the flame . Let it cool.

When it is in room temperature add hing and 2 more table spoon of vinegar (optional) and mix well.

Leave it on the stove top for a day and then transfer it into glass jars.

Pour 2 or 3 table spoons of Nalenna/ Gingelly oil over it and keep outside for a day or two and then keep refrigerated .



Notes :-

I use the smallest salad shrimp available and if you are using big shrimp , cut it into small pieces.
To expedite the process you can bake the marinated shrimp , till it is dry or even it is brown and fried and omit the sun drying and frying part.
I am not so sure about the life span of this pickle , since it wont even last for a week in my nest
If you are gonna use it up within 2-3 days , you can substitute lemon juice for vinegar.
This recipe is a dry version and if you want a bit gravy with it add more water and vinegar.
Always take pickle with clean spoons.

(Source: Sarah, Vazhayila)