Easy Quick Cooking Kerala Mango Prawn Curry Recipe

Connecting a bit of history

I am very fond of a popular festive Indian (Bengali) prawn curry dish called prawn malai curry. It uses prawns while the other recipe of Malabar Spinach Chorchori that I shared earlier may use shrimps. When my friend Nithya said she loves prawns and cooks them too, I badgered her for making it one day. I was delighted when she finally invited Anju and me for lunch. 🙂 We got to taste her own version of authentic easy quick cooking Kerala mango prawn curry. It has a secret masala powder. More on that later….

This shared connection and love comes from a history of having grown up in a place which had a lot of access to fresh seafood.

When she invited us over, I was keen to try the mango prawn curry and fish cutlets that she had promised to cook. I was absolutely gob smacked by the way she had dressed up her home and greeted us with flowers. And then there was that feast that she laid out before us- felt like a spoilt kid visiting my mamabari (maternal side of the family) all over again! It made me feel like a part of her home and family.

What I loved about her Kerala Prawn Mango Curry was that it used a seasonal fruit (raw mangos). It was light, fresh and a little tangy. And it was perfect for a simple delicious homecooked meal with rice. 🙂

I may shout it from the rooftops, but truth is that there is a special joy in discovering new recipes and variations to our own regular recipes. Something that only foodies and those who love to cook will perhaps understand and appreciate.

Connecting a bit of heart to prawn curry recipe

Before I get slammed by my family for running down prawn malai curry, let me add that it is still perhaps unparalleled in taste. My go to recipe in case someone asks for a treat on a special occasion or for an Indian festive meal! (Nithya, don’t kill me for being me). I hope to share it someday in a milder format. 😛

And there is of course that joy in tasting the simplicity of fresh prawns in a seaside resort or restaurant during your travels along with friends or family. Reminds me of the time I had some prawn tapas somewhere in the streets of Barcelona.

The place was tiny and looked insignificant, but the tapas was absolutely fantastic! I don’t know if my travel companion remembers this but, we had our first taste of fresh sardines there (not canned ones). Grilled with just some salt, pepper and herbs on top. It was delicious! And it is rich in heart healthy omega 3 fatty acids. We took back that memory and would buy it whenever we could. And then make at home as an easy healthy snack or side with dal and rice.

I choose not to eat or cook prawns too often because it is an indulgence. Depending upon who you ask- prawns maybe vilified for higher cholesterol or for being tricky to eat if not cleaned properly. There is a risk of food poisoning or upset stomach if they are not deveined meticulously. That’s possible when trying it out in restaurants or places where it might have to be done quickly by untrained people.

To me, it’s not a big deal once in a while, but then, I have a stronger stomach now. And I am always happy to eat it when someone takes the time and trouble to make it at home. That’s a really special generous gesture for me!

Connecting a bit of loving hands to prawn curry recipe

When you are entertaining or cooking for strangers or people you don’t know much about, you ask what exactly they would like to eat or if they have any allergies. Sometimes when it is not too specific, I stick to good ingredients.

Many a times, I have changed the menu planned when I have not got the right fresh ingredients. So, it helps to start with a couple of options in mind and then figure out the rest when you go shopping for ingredients.

Warning- on the flip side this may be confusing at times when you end up finding a LOT of good ingredients! 🙂

Obvious note for easy cooking- one pot cooking is always better (less to clean up). And a pot you can cook and serve in is of course a delight. Sometimes, the pot is different depending on the time and place in life. When I cannot find the right pot, I often ask my neighbors if they have it. For occasional cooking, doesn’t make sense to buy new pots and pans all the time. Especially since I remember how many expensive pots, pans and kitchen equipment, I bought and left behind with my husband.

Today when I live alone and often cook for myself alone, I feel a bit guilty perhaps of not sharing something which has turned out well. But that kind of feeling perhaps comes from a heart which is often misunderstood, pulled and pushed in various directions.

I try to share it with others but then that has its own challenges when others feel guilty about not being able to reciprocate. I’m glad I had the chance to have that beautiful homecooked meal and have Nithya share her special mango prawn curry recipe.

Connecting a bit of local flavour to prawn curry recipe

It’s a different mindset and food habit in every household and I try to respect people’s boundaries. I have been inspired by many food bloggers and vloggers before. I share here a link of a community of local food champions which has been influential in doing some good. Truth is, that I relate to it partly. I use a lot of ingredients and ideas which are supposedly not of “local origin” as well. We live in a world which is fortunately (I think so) all mixed up.

It’s a little confusing to me how one can always cook at home, eat only local ingredients or impose these ideas on the whole world inconveniencing others. It may be a part of my life when I can afford to do so. But at other times, I am quite flexible because we are not isolated islands. We live, eat and work with others. I don’t believe that saying NO always is the right answer. It reminds me of a 2-year old’s favorite word!

Connecting a bit of Mama love

I eyed a couple of little things around her house which I appreciated for her unique taste and the story behind them. I use them as an inspiration while I am trying to recreate another home all over again. Alas, I missed taking a picture of the painting that she had done. I wish I had captured it because it was truly stunning to discover her innate talent. I had no idea that she painted!

But I managed to capture some cute and unique pop art visuals. It made me feel quite giddy with a few past memories of little trips, posters (in previous abodes many years ago) and a shared love for music.

I also found a special thoughtful touch in this copper water bottle which she keeps next to a sofa. Makes it easy for guests who come to have a quick sip if they are thirsty. I greedily asked for something similar, and she happily gifted it for my birthday! Reminds me, I still owe her a gift she had asked for her birthday. 🙂

Connecting a bit of local culture to this recipe

It’s a little time consuming to clean up prawns or other seafood and it sure does help to have someone around to do so. Or you could buy pre-cleaned prawns which may not have the same flavour/freshness. It’s a roundabout to the problem of young working people who want to try to cook it at home in a quick and easy way.

I share here the recipe which she was kind enough to share with me. I hope to try it soon.

For me the two new things I learnt about this prawn curry recipe is the special secret masala used ;)- Aachi Kolambo Milagai Thool and the special mudpot called chatti in which it is cooked. The mudpot helps to retain the heat and so it helps in the infusion of the flavours as the curry cooks slowly. Apart from that- I loved how it looks too. You can serve it in that dish straight from the oven to the table. 🙂

Why I love this recipe-

1. It uses fresh prawns and like I said I love prawns
2. It uses fresh seasonal green mangos which adds a nice fresh tangy touch
3. It uses a few spices and masalas which are actually very good for health and makes it yummy
4. It is simple and not too rich unlike many other curry preparations which I have had before
5. It goes well with rice which is a staple cereal in many parts of the world
6. Once the prep work is done- it doesn’t need much time to cook and you can’t go too wrong with it.

Hope some of you try it. Happy cooking! 🙂

Footnote

It’s taken me a while to post this recipe as I was hoping to get some help with it. However, important lessons revisited in life. Some things are finally your own passion and accountability.

I share here an excerpt from an old book received as a birthday gift 7 years ago. I opened page 45 again to remind myself that there are a few things one cannot comprehend. It takes time to develop those heart muscles to have empathy for those who cannot see. You only feel a few things blindly. I take my orders from the one above. I don’t know who he/she/it is.

Am I right or wrong. I do not know or judge. Do you?

Here’s a little video capturing the fun afternoon lunch at Nithya’s beautiful home and her sharing of her authentic Kerala Mango Prawn Curry Recipe. Do like share and subscribe to the Youtube channel if you want to keep us going. 🙂