Kolambi Bhat

Introduction:

Shrimps are known for a no-fuss cooking, are easily available all around year. Good quality rice, fresh prawns, all you need and you are good to go with it. This awesome Kolambi Bhat simplies the dilemma of cooking prawns at home. 

Recipe shared by - Sayali Mhambrey (Asmita Manjrekar)

Preparation time : 20 mts
Cooking time : 30 mts
Serves : 3 to 4 people

Ingredients:

Whole Garam masala

• 2 Bay leaves,
• 4-5 black peppercorns,
• 2-3 cloves,
• 1 pod Velchi / Cardamom
• 1 stick Cinnamon
• 1 large onion chopped

• 2-3 medium size Tomatoes finely chopped
• 2 tsp Ginger garlic paste
• 1 green Chilli slit
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp Turmeric
• 2 tsp deghi mirch
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 1/2 tsp garam masala
• 1/2 tsp Goda masala
• 1 tbsp oil

Ingredients for Prawns Marinade

• 15-20 pieces de-shelled and de-veined prawns preferably fresh prawns (washed 2-3 times in cold water)
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1tsp salt
• 1 tsp chili powder
• pinch of hing
• 1 Kokam
• 1/2 tsp garlic paste

Method

• Marinade Prawns with Salt, turmeric, chili powder,hing,garlic paste and a piece of Kokam (you can also use lime juice) for 1 hour.
• Wash and soak basmati rice for 30 mins 3)Heat oil in a pan and add cumin seeds and then the whole Garam masala till nice aroma comes from the spices.
• Add chopped Onions and fry till light brown
• Then add ginger garlic paste (you can also use 2 tsp ginger,garlic,green chilli, coriander leaf chutney). Saute till raw flavours go away.
• Add tomatoes, some salt and cover cook for 2 mins or till the tomatoes become soft. (Raw smell of tomatoes should disappear.
• Now add the dry masala (turmeric,chilli powder,coriander n cumin powder, garam masala, goda masala)and the slit green chilli and saute till the spices get cooked and oil separates.
• Add marinated prawns, mix well and let it cook for 10 mins ( prawns should be 90 % cooked).
• Add soaked basmati rice (do not add water at this point) mix and cover cook the prawns n rice for 3 mins with stirring in between (to avoid food sticking and burning)
• Add salt to taste and 1 and 1/2 cups hot water.( use water as per your experience..for me 1 n 1/2 cup water works well for 1 cup rice..2 cups make the rice soft.
• cover and cook on medium heat for 10 mins then lower the heat to minimum and let it cook for another 20-30 mins.
• Turn off the gas and let the rice to rest for 5-10 mins.
• Garnish with Cilantro.
• Serve with raita or just as it is with a fresh grated coconut and a wedge of lemon.