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An authentic Kerala prawns recipe with coconut oil just might be the best thing you can serve at your next dinner party. It’s spicy, it’s creamy and it’s absolutely delicious! In fact, this recipe has so much flavour that all you need to accompany it is plain rice or naan bread. It also tastes great with roasted potatoes or boiled basmati rice, but really, why bother? This Kerala-style prawns recipe with coconut oil will blow your guests away!

Kerala is a state in India with a coastline of nearly 600 km. Kerala is home to a cuisine that is rich in seafood. Seafood is an integral part of the state's culture, and there are many dishes that showcase its abundance. Kerala cuisine is not just about fish, but also includes shellfish, prawns and crabs.

The people of Kerala love seafood, especially prawns. They come in all sizes and colors, from red to pink to yellow, and they are loved by people all over the world. In Kerala, seafood is consumed with coconut oil which makes it even more delicious and healthy!

Today, let’s try out a Kerala style prawns roast recipe by Rinki Sarkar.

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Cleaned prawns - 500 grams

Kashmiri chilli powder - 2 tsp

Turmeric powder - ½ tsp

Green chilly(slit)  - 2

Black pepper powder - 1 tsp

Coriander powder - 1 tsp

Fresh ginger piece - 1 inch

Garlic cloves - 5-6

Curry leaves - 5-6

Salt - to taste

Coconut oil - 2 tbsp

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1. Crush ginger and garlic together to get a fine paste.
2. Marinate the prawns with ginger garlic paste, chilli powder, coriander powder and salt. Let it rest for a while.
3. Roast the marinated prawns in Virgin coconut oil on medium heat. Roast until it is lightly crispy.
4. Take another pan and saute onions with green chilly, curry leaves and black pepper powder. When the onions turn light brown, add the roasted prawns to this mix.
5. Mix well and leave on the pan with the lid closed for 10 minutes.
6. Kerala Style Prawns Roast is ready! Serve with hot rice for a delicious meal.

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1. The secret to a mouth watering Kerala style prawn roast recipe lies in making sure your prawns are extra fresh. There are a variety of fresh and frozen ready to use prawns available in the market.
2. It's important to clean the prawns to make sure they're free of anything impure before marinating them. To do so, soak them in water for 5-10 minutes, then lightly rinse them off under running water. Be careful not to break the exoskeletons while doing so, and try to use a net if possible.
3. Once you've cleaned your prawns, it's time to make sure you cook them correctly and give your marinade enough time to seep into their flesh before you take them off the heat.
4. Ginger garlic paste also adds flavour to your food and gives it a nice kick of spice. 
5.  Do not overcook them or else they will become rubbery and lose their succulence. Do not cook them for over 6 minutes.
6. Cook in batches. If all of the prawns don't fit in the pan, do not make haste. Take turns and don’t crowd the pan.
7. Turn over each prawn while roasting to get the perfect sear on each side.
8. Prawns are naturally salty. Make sure to add in only a pinch of salt.

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Q. What is virgin coconut oil and how does it differ from other oils like vegetable or olive oil?

A. Virgin coconut oil is produced from fresh coconuts, unlike most other oils which are made from processed seeds and nuts.

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Q. What can you use instead of virgin coconut oil to make your Kerala style prawns?

A. Virgin coconut oil may be difficult to find. If you're looking for a substitute, try using coconut oil. This will still give your dish a  flavour of coconuts and enhance its texture.

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Q. How do I clean and cook shrimp before cooking it in my Kerala style prawns?

A. Before cleaning shrimp, check if they have any unwanted bits on them like dirt or sand. The best way to clean shrimp is by submerging them in cold water with a little salt added until they sink to the bottom of the container. You should then take them out one at a time with tongs and shake off excess water before chopping up their heads off their body. Be careful not to cut into their bodies.

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Rinki Sarkar is a prominent chef hailing from Bangalore. She also excels in food styling, photography and videography. Her recipes include Indian, Italian and Chinese with a special knack for sweets and desserts.

Head to her social media account for mouth watering recipes.

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