Unakka chemeen / Dry Shrimp Fry

Ingredients:

1. Unakka chemeen/Dry shrimp - 2 cups cleaned and head removed
2. Shallots - 1cup sliced
3. curry leaf - 4 sprigs
4. Oil - 4 tbsp
5. chilly powder - 1 tsp
6. vinegar - 1/2 tsp
7. Dry red chillies - 6 crushed
8. salt -to taste

Method:

Rinse the dry shrimp with water to get rid of any sand and impurities and drain well.Dry fry this shrimp without oil until the water is gone and keep it aside.

Add oil to a pan and fry the onions,crushed red pepper and curry leaves for 2 minutes.Add in the dry shrimp and vinegar and saute until the whole mixture crisps up and starts turning light brown.

Lower the flame and add the chilly powder.Make sure it doesn't get burnt.Stir fry for few more minutes until the raw smell of the chilly powder is gone.The shrimp should be crunchy when done.

Taste for salt and add if required - dry shrimp will have some salt.Stays fresh for several months in the refrigerator.