Succulent prawns simmered in a rich, aromatic gravy of onions, tomatoes, and classic Indian spices. This North Indian curry is a seafood lover's delight, perfect with hot rotis or steamed rice, and comes together in under 40 minutes for a fantastic weeknight meal.
Prep15 min
Cook20 min
Servings4
Serving size: 1 cup
273cal
28gprotein
15gcarbs
12g
Ingredients
500 g Prawns (Large, cleaned and deveined)
2 pcs Onion (Medium, finely chopped)
3 pcs Tomatoes (Medium, pureed)
1.5 tbsp Ginger Garlic Paste
2 pcs Green Chili (Slit lengthwise)
3 tbsp Vegetable Oil
0.5 tsp Turmeric Powder
1 tsp Kashmiri Red Chili Powder (Provides color without excessive heat)
A soft, savory flatbread from Gujarat made with whole wheat flour and fresh fenugreek leaves. Lightly spiced and incredibly versatile, these are perfect for breakfast, lunchboxes, or as a travel snack.
A classic North Indian condiment, 'Aam ka Achar' is made with raw, tangy mangoes, a robust blend of aromatic spices, and pungent mustard oil. This traditional sun-cured pickle is the perfect spicy and sour accompaniment to any meal, from dal-rice to stuffed parathas.
About Jhinga Masala, Methi Thepla and Mango Pickle
Perfectly spiced jhinga masala with quick-to-make thepla. A protein-packed, energy-giving lunch!
This gujarati dish is perfect for lunch. With 608.86 calories and 36.980000000000004g of protein per serving, it's a muscle-gain option for your meal plan.
3 tbsp Coriander Leaves (Fresh, chopped, for garnish)
0.5 cup Water (Or as needed for desired gravy consistency)
Instructions
1
Marinate the Prawns
In a medium bowl, combine the cleaned prawns with 1/4 tsp turmeric powder, 1/2 tsp Kashmiri red chili powder, lemon juice, and 1/2 tsp salt.
Mix thoroughly to ensure each prawn is evenly coated.
Set aside to marinate for at least 15 minutes while you prepare the masala.
2
Prepare the Masala Base
Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed pan or kadai over medium heat.
Add the finely chopped onions and sauté for 7-8 minutes, stirring frequently, until they are soft and golden brown.
Add the ginger-garlic paste and slit green chilies. Sauté for another 1-2 minutes until the raw aroma disappears.
Stir in the tomato puree. Cook for 5-6 minutes, until the mixture thickens and darkens in color.
Add the remaining turmeric powder (1/4 tsp), Kashmiri red chili powder (1/2 tsp), coriander powder, cumin powder, and the remaining salt (3/4 tsp). Mix well and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring constantly, until the oil begins to separate from the masala. This is a crucial step for a flavorful gravy.
3
Create the Creamy Gravy
Reduce the heat to the lowest setting. Add the whisked curd to the pan.
Immediately begin stirring continuously for 2-3 minutes to prevent the curd from splitting. The masala will become creamy and well-combined.
Pour in 1/2 cup of water, stir to combine, and bring the gravy to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
4
Cook the Prawns
Gently add the marinated prawns to the simmering gravy.
Stir to coat them in the masala and cook for 3-5 minutes. The prawns are cooked when they turn opaque pink and curl into a 'C' shape. Avoid overcooking, as they will become tough and rubbery.
5
Finish and Serve
Sprinkle the garam masala and crushed kasuri methi over the curry. Give it a final gentle stir.
Turn off the heat and let the curry rest for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves and serve hot with steamed basmati rice, jeera rice, or Indian breads like roti or naan.
258cal
8gprotein
39gcarbs
9gfat
Ingredients
1.5 cup Atta (Whole wheat flour)
0.25 cup Besan (Gram flour)
1 cup Fresh Methi Leaves (Tightly packed and finely chopped)
0.25 cup Plain Yogurt (Full-fat, at room temperature)
1 tsp Ginger-Garlic Paste
2 whole Green Chillies (Finely chopped, adjust to taste)
0.5 tsp Turmeric Powder
1 tsp Red Chilli Powder (Use Kashmiri for mild heat and color)
1 tsp Coriander-Cumin Powder
0.25 tsp Asafoetida (Also known as Hing)
0.5 tsp Carom Seeds (Also known as Ajwain)
1 tsp Salt (Adjust to taste)
0.5 tsp Sugar (Optional, to balance bitterness)
2 tbsp Oil (For the dough)
0.25 cup Warm Water (As needed for kneading)
Instructions
1
Prepare the Dough (5 minutes)
In a large mixing bowl, combine atta, besan, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, coriander-cumin powder, asafoetida, carom seeds, salt, and optional sugar. Whisk thoroughly to ensure the spices are evenly distributed.
Add the finely chopped methi leaves, plain yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, green chillies, and 2 tablespoons of oil.
Using your fingertips, rub the wet ingredients into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs. This step ensures the fat and moisture are well incorporated.
2
Knead and Rest the Dough (30 minutes)
Gradually add warm water, a little at a time, and begin to knead. The methi and yogurt will release moisture, so be cautious not to add too much water at once.
Knead for 6-8 minutes until you have a soft, smooth, and pliable dough. It should be softer than standard roti dough but not sticky.
Coat the dough with a few drops of oil, cover the bowl with a damp cloth or a lid, and let it rest for at least 20-30 minutes. This resting period is crucial for developing gluten and results in softer theplas.
3
Roll the Theplas (10 minutes)
After the dough has rested, knead it again for one minute.
1 kg Raw Mangoes (Use a firm, sour, pickling variety like Ramkela or Rajapuri)
2 cup Mustard Oil (To be heated to smoking point and then cooled completely)
0.75 cup Salt (Use non-iodized or sea salt for best results)
5 tbsp Red Chili Powder (Adjust to your spice preference)
2 tbsp Turmeric Powder
4 tbsp Fennel Seeds (Also known as Saunf)
4 tbsp Split Mustard Seeds (Also known as Rai ki Dal)
2 tbsp Fenugreek Seeds (Also known as Methi Dana)
2 tsp Nigella Seeds (Also known as Kalonji)
1 tsp Asafoetida (Also known as Hing)
Instructions
1
Prepare the Mangoes (Day 1)
Wash the raw mangoes thoroughly. Wipe them completely dry with a clean kitchen towel. It is critical that there is no moisture.
Cut the mangoes into 1-inch cubes, discarding the inner stone but keeping the peel on.
Place the mango pieces in a large, dry glass or ceramic bowl. Add 1/2 cup of the salt and all the turmeric powder.
Mix well to coat every piece. Cover the bowl with a cloth or a loose lid and let it sit at room temperature for 24 hours. The mangoes will release a significant amount of water.
2
Dry the Mangoes (Day 2)
After 24 hours, drain all the water released by the mangoes. You can discard this brine.
Spread the mango pieces in a single layer on a clean cloth or a large tray.
Let them dry under a fan or in a shady, well-ventilated area for 4-5 hours until the surface moisture has evaporated. They should feel dry to the touch but not hard.
3
Prepare the Spice Mix and Oil
While the mangoes are drying, gently dry roast the fennel seeds and fenugreek seeds in a pan on low heat for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Let them cool completely.
Divide the dough into 12 equal-sized portions and roll each into a smooth ball.
Take one ball, flatten it, and lightly dust it with dry atta. Roll it out into a thin circle, about 6-7 inches in diameter. Theplas are traditionally rolled thinner than parathas for a softer texture.
4
Cook the Theplas (20 minutes)
Heat a tawa (griddle) over medium-high heat. To check if it's ready, sprinkle a few drops of water; they should sizzle and evaporate immediately.
Place a rolled thepla onto the hot tawa. Cook for about 30 seconds, until you see small bubbles forming on the surface.
Flip the thepla. Drizzle about ½ teaspoon of oil on and around its edges.
Cook for another 30-40 seconds, pressing down gently with a spatula to ensure even cooking, until golden-brown spots appear.
Flip it one last time, apply a little more oil if desired, and cook until the first side is also perfectly spotted. Avoid overcooking to keep them soft.
Remove from the tawa and place in a casserole dish or a container lined with a clean kitchen towel. This traps the steam and keeps the theplas soft. Repeat for all remaining dough balls.
5
Serve
Serve Methi Thepla warm or at room temperature with plain yogurt, chunda (sweet mango pickle), athanu (mixed pickle), or a hot cup of masala chai.
Grind the roasted seeds along with the split mustard seeds into a coarse powder using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle.
In a large, dry mixing bowl, combine this coarsely ground spice mix, red chili powder, nigella seeds, asafoetida, and the remaining 1/4 cup of salt.
In a separate pan, heat the mustard oil until it reaches its smoking point (you'll see faint white fumes). Turn off the heat and let it cool down completely to room temperature. This step is crucial to mellow the oil's raw pungency.
4
Combine and Bottle the Pickle
Add the dried mango pieces to the bowl containing the spice mix. Toss well until each piece is thoroughly coated.
Pour about 1.5 cups of the completely cooled mustard oil over the mango-spice mixture. Mix everything thoroughly with a clean, dry spoon.
Carefully transfer the pickle into a sterilized, completely dry glass or ceramic jar (a 'barnī'). Pack it down gently to remove air pockets.
5
Mature the Pickle (7-10 Days)
Cover the mouth of the jar with a clean piece of muslin cloth and secure it with a string. This allows moisture to escape while keeping dust out.
Place the jar in direct sunlight for 7 to 10 days. Shake the jar gently or stir with a dry spoon once every day to redistribute the oil and spices.
After 3-4 days, the mango pieces will have softened and settled. Pour the remaining 0.5 cup of cooled mustard oil over the top to create a protective layer that submerges the mangoes.
After the sunning period, the mangoes will have softened and absorbed the flavors. The pickle is now ready. Replace the muslin cloth with an airtight lid and store in a cool, dry place. It can last for over a year.
