Brinjal with Dried Baby Shrimps / Zavla Vanga #FishFriday

This is an East Indian dish that is a mostly prepared in Monsoons where in fresh fish is not easily available because of rains. Dry fish is stocked in East Indian homes in the month of February  or March wherein you get fresh dried fish.  This is a most easy quick and delicious dry / side dish.
Sending this to Fish Friday Foodies our Host choose the theme prepare a Fish dish with " Preserved Fish- Pickled, Canned, Dried".

Ingredients
2 Cups Zavla / Baby Shrimps
2 - 3 Baby  Brinjals - cut into pieces
2 Spring Onions - finely chopped - green and white separated
8 Cloves Garlic - minced
1 Inch Ginger - minced
3 Green Chillies - minced or according to taste
2 Tablespoons Coriander Leaves - finely chopped
1 Tablespoon Heaped Bottle Masala - see note
2 Tablespoons Oil
1 Teaspoon Tamarind Juice or 4 -5 Kokam
Salt to taste

Method
Clean the  dried baby shrimps well to remove any dirt, stones or any other dried fish.  Wash the zavla / dried shrimps well in a bowl of water taking only what come  on top ( at the bottom will be all the dirt that settles down)  and then soak it in clean water for 10 - 15 minutes (this step is very important - do not use the dry fish directly it to needs to be soaked in water first).  After 15 minutes place the shrimps in a fine mesh strainer to drain all the excess water.  Keep aside.
Slice the brinjals and keep in the water to avoid darkening.
In a vessel/ pan  heat oil add chopped onions, green chilly, ginger  and garlic, saute for 5 minutes.
Add the chopped spring onions and saute for 2 -3 minutes.
Now add the the soaked & drained shrimps /zavla and fry for 2 minutes then add the bottle masala and and chopped brinjals. 
Mix well just sprinkle water and cover with lid and cook over medium low flame till the shrimps and brinjals are done.  Now add the tamarind pulp and cook for few more minutes. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.
Serve hot with  Handbreads (Apas)

My Notes
If you do get bottle masala then use Kacha Masala and garam Masala powder to taste.

Can use any type of brinjals in this dish.. the quantity also varies according to you.

Labels:  Zavla, Dried Baby Shrimps, Brinjal, East Indian,  Bottle Masala, Side Dish, Fish, Fish Friday, Indian Fish Curry

7 comments:

  1. A Day in the Life on the Farm18 August 2017 at 17:34

    I have never heard of dried shrimp but I love eggplant dips so I'm sure this one is marvelous.

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  2. Karen18 August 2017 at 20:26

    This sounds so interesting. I am pretty sure I could find dried shrimp around here. Thanks for the great instructions on how to get the shrimp ready for cooking.

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  3. Camilla M. Mann18 August 2017 at 21:02

    I had to look up what a 'brinjal' was! But this looks delicious. I always have those dried shrimp in my cabinet.

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  4. Sid19 August 2017 at 19:06

    How fun, I love learning about new foods, I've seen dried shrimp in the stores but never knew how to use them.

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  5. Caroline20 August 2017 at 17:57

    Love eggplant, can't quite picture the dried shrimp but might have to try!

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  6. Sidsel Munkholm - Author21 August 2017 at 20:47

    I'm with Camilla on this, I had to look up brinjals as well. Thanks so much for the recipe, I've seen dried shrimp in the oriental market I go to, and never knew what to do with them.

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  7. Sidsel Munkholm - Author21 August 2017 at 20:49

    Thanks so much for participating this month. You always have such interesting recipes.

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