ചെമ്മീൻ ബിരിയാണി | Prawns Biryani - Kerala Style Recipe | Chemmeen Dum Biryani - Malayalam Recipe

Introduction

This tutorial provides a step-by-step guide to preparing Chemmeen Biryani, a delicious Kerala-style Prawns Biryani. This flavorful dish combines aromatic spices, succulent prawns, and fragrant rice, making it a favorite among seafood lovers. With basic cooking skills, you can easily create this dish at home.

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

Gather and prepare the following ingredients:

For Deep Frying Onions

• 3 medium-sized onions (400 gm)
• Refined oil (for deep frying)

For Frying Cashew Nuts and Raisins

• 2 tablespoons cashew nuts
• 2 tablespoons raisins

For Prawns Biryani Masala

• 2 tablespoons cooking oil
• 2 tablespoons ghee
• 2 cardamom pods
• 4 cloves
• 1½ inch piece of cinnamon stick
• 1 star anise
• A small piece of mace
• 1 inch piece of ginger
• 6 cloves of garlic
• 3 green chilies
• 3 tomatoes (300 gm)
• 2 teaspoons salt
• ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 tablespoon Kashmiri chili powder
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1 teaspoon crushed black pepper
• ½ cup hot water (125ml)
• 500 gm cleaned prawns

For Cooking the Rice

• 2 tablespoons cooking oil
• 2 tablespoons ghee
• 4 cardamom pods
• 6 cloves
• 3 inch piece of cinnamon stick
• 1 bay leaf
• A little mace (optional)
• 4½ cups water
• 1¾ teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon lime juice
• 3 cups Kaima rice (600 gm)

For Garnishing

• ¾ cup mint leaves
• 2 tablespoons ghee

Step 2: Fry the Onions

1. Heat refined oil in a pan.
2. Slice the onions thinly and deep fry them until golden brown.
3. Once done, remove and drain on paper towels to absorb excess oil.

Step 3: Fry Cashew Nuts and Raisins

1. In the same oil, fry the cashew nuts until golden.
2. Add the raisins and fry until they puff up.
3. Remove and set aside for garnishing.

Step 4: Prepare the Biryani Masala

1. In a large pot, heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil and 2 tablespoons of ghee.
2. Add cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, star anise, and mace. Sauté for a minute.
3. Add chopped ginger, garlic, and green chilies. Sauté until fragrant.
4. Add chopped tomatoes and cook until soft.
5. Stir in salt, turmeric powder, Kashmiri chili powder, garam masala, and crushed black pepper.
6. Add the cleaned prawns and sauté until they turn pink.
7. Pour in ½ cup of hot water and let it simmer for a few minutes.

Step 5: Cook the Rice

1. In a separate pot, heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil and 2 tablespoons of ghee.
2. Add cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, bay leaf, and mace (if using). Sauté briefly.
3. Rinse the Kaima rice and add it to the pot. Stir gently.
4. Add 4½ cups of water, 1¾ teaspoons of salt, and 1 teaspoon of lime juice. Bring to a boil.
5. Cover and reduce heat to simmer until rice is fully cooked and water is absorbed.

Step 6: Layer the Biryani

1. In the pot with the prawn masala, layer the cooked rice evenly on top.
2. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of ghee over the rice.
3. Garnish with fried onions, cashew nuts, raisins, and mint leaves.
4. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and let it steam (dum) on low heat for about 10-15 minutes.

Conclusion

You have now prepared a flavorful Chemmeen Biryani! Serve it hot, garnished with additional mint leaves and accompanied by raita or salad. This dish is perfect for gatherings or special occasions. Enjoy your culinary creation, and don't hesitate to share your cooking experiences!