Chemmeen Undaputt, also known as Prawn Steamcake, is a traditional Kerala snack made by steaming a spiced batter of prawns and rice flour together. Light, aromatic, and flavorful, this steamed rice delicacy is perfect for breakfast, tea time, or as a unique party appetiser. This traditional dish of Kerala is called Undaputt because the normal Puttukutti (Long-type Steamer) is not used; instead Chirattaput steamer, which resembles a coconut shell, is used. For the same reason, the steamcake is round and hence given the name – Undaputt. 

Chemmeen Undaputt

Ingredients for Chemmeen Undaputt (Prawn Steamcake):

For Prawn Filling:

  1. Prawn – 200 gm
    Salt – As required
  2. Coconut oil – 2 big spoons
  3. Onion – 1 big, chopped fine
    Green chillies – 2, (split into two halves and remove seeds)
  4.  Turmeric powder – ¼ small spoon
  5. Chilli powder – ½ small spoon
  6. Tomato chopped fine – 1
  7.  Curry leaves – A stalk

For Steam Cake:

  1. Rice flour – 300 gm
  2. Salt and sugar – As required
  3. Cumin seeds – A pinch
  4. Hot water – For preparing puttu powder
  5. Coconut scraped – 100 gm

How to prepare Chemmeen Undaputt (Prawn Steamcake)?

  1. Clean prawns and cook them, adding sufficient salt and water.
  2. Stir occasionally (approximately 6-8 minutes). If overcooked, prawns turn stiff.
  3. Heat oil and sauté onions and green chillies.
  4. Add turmeric powder and stir it.
  5. Add red chilli powder and sauté in a low flame till a pleasant aroma comes out.
  6.  Add tomato pieces and sauté again in a low flame till they are mashed well and a thin layer of oil appears on the surface.
  7. Add curry leaves and cooked prawns along with water to this gravy and stir well.
  8.  If water is not sufficient, add 1 or 2 big spoons of water.
  9. Stir it continuously for a few more minutes till the gravy thickens and turn off the flame.
  10. To prepare the steamcake, boil water, adding salt and sugar.
  11. Add rice flour and stir continuously to avoid forming lumps.
  12.  Add cumin seeds and mix well to prepare rice paste.
  13.  Now make equally sized balls from them.
  14. Spread each ball using your hands and place a little prawn filling inside it.
  15.  Roll these balls in the scraped coconut and cook them in a steam cooker.

Courtesy: Vanitha Magazine 2010, May 1-14

You can read a few more delicious  steamcake recipes here. Here is the page link. Click on the images in the gallery to read. 

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