CHINGRI OR PRAWN KOFTA RECIPE 

Prawn kofta or chingri Kofta is a delicious dish that is loved by my family. The koftas are delicious and can be enjoyed on their own or can be made into a curry. Both the recipes are shared here. I essentially make this dish whenever there is a special occasion in my family.

 

INGREDIENTS AND COOKING METHODOLOGY

      PRAWN OR CHINGRI KOFTA INGREDIENTS:

• Small prawns or chingri (washed and deveined)-400 gms
•  Chana Dal or Cholar Dal- 150 gms(Soaked overnight and made into a paste)
• Ginger and Garlic- 2 teaspoon (finely chopped)
• Onions-  2 onions (Finely chopped)
• Coriander leaves- (Finely chopped)
•  Green chilli -2 pieces,( Finely chopped)
• Red chilli powder- 1 teaspoon
• Cumin or Jeera Powder- 2 teaspoon
• Garam Masala Powder-1 teaspoon
• Turmeric Powder- 1 teaspoon
•  Salt- To taste
• Oil – For frying and cooking

                                    

                         CURRY INGREDIENTS:

• Potatoes- 3 medium-sized(cut into wedges)
• Ginger and Garlic- Paste, 2 teaspoon
• Onion- 2 (Chopped)
• Coriander leaves for garnishing
• Green chill-2 pieces
• Tomatoes-2, Paste
• Bay leaf- 2 to 3 pieces
• Green Cardamom=5 pieces
• Cinnamon and Cloves= 2 each
• Dry red chill-2 pieces`
• Whole cumin or jeera seeds-1 teaspoon
• Coriander Powder- 2 teaspoonRemove term: #BENGALI FISH RECIPE
• Cumin Powder -1 teaspoon
• Red Chill Powder-1 teaspoon
• Garam Masala Powder-1 teaspoon
• Salt-To taste
• Oil
• Ghee

               PRAWN OR CHINGRI KOFTA COOKING METHOD:

• Make a paste of the prawn or chingri in the food processor without water so that the prawn balls do not break while frying.
• Make a paste of the chana dal or the cholar dal using minimum water. This paste will be used for binding, so add the water cautiously while making the paste.
• Take a mixing bowl, add the chingri or prawn and the dal paste. add the chopped onion, ginger, garlic, coriander leaves, green chilli, cumin, coriander, turmeric, garam masala, red chilli powder and salt to taste. Knead the mixture well so that everything incorporates together.
• Keep the mixture aside for about 10 minutes so that all the flavours come together.
• In a frying pan,   you should add enough oil to deep fry the koftas.
• Take the mixture and make round balls in medium size.  You should roll the balls on your palm and make sure that the palm is oiled in order to prevent sticking.
• You should ensure that the oil is hot enough to fry. Reduce the flame of the gas, add the medium-sized balls and fry in low to medium heat until golden brown and cooked through.
• Keep the balls aside on tissue paper. so that the tissue absorbs excess oil.

                         CURRY COOKING PROCEDURE:

• You need to make a paste of ginger, garlic, green chilli and tomatoes. Try not to add water while making the paste as it will hamper the taste. If at all water is required, keep the quantity to the bare minimum.
• Take a wok or kadhai. Add mustard oil( or any oil which you prefer) and heat the oil.
• Reduce the flame in order to prevent the oil from burning and add the dry red chilli, bay leaf, cinnamon and green cardamom for tempering the oil.
• You will have to add whole cumin seeds to this oil and wait for the seeds to release their aroma in the oil. This is the tempered oil with which the curry will be made.
• In the tempered oil, add chopped onions and fry until golden brown. Add the wedge-shaped potato slices in the oil after the onion has turned brown nicely. Fry the potatoes until they turn slightly golden in order to give them a slight texture and colour. Keep the flame in the medium position in this entire process.
• You should add the tomato, ginger, garlic and green chilli paste and cook the paste until oil starts to separate from the mixture.
• After the oil separates giving the indication that the curry is cooked, it is time to add the dry spices which consist of cumin, coriander, red chilli, garam masala. You should cook the mixture in a medium to low flame and add a splash of water so that the dry spices to not get burnt.
• After the mixture is cooked, you will need to add 2 cups of water and cover it with a lid for approximately 10 minutes so that the potatoes get cooked thoroughly. It may take a longer time depending on the potatoes, so insert a knife and check whether the potatoes are cooked through or not.
• Add the prawn or chingri balls to the curry and lastly, add ghee. Switch off the flame. The Prawn or chingri kofta curry is ready to be served.
• Garnish with coriander leaves.

                                  HOW TO SERVE THE KOFTA:

This kofta dish is a delicacy and is best enjoyed with a steaming plate of rice. It is comforting and tasty as well.