Shrimp Coconut Rice Wrapped in Banana Leaf

MAKING COCONUT RICE:

1. Place a non-stick cooking pan over medium heat, add ghee.
2. Add whole cardamom, whole cinnamon, cloves, sauté for a few seconds till it turns aromatic.
3. Add onions and salt, sauté till it turns golden brown in color.
4. Add the coconut milk and warm water, combine well.
5. Add rice, turmeric powder and fennel seeds, combine well.
6. Cook covered over medium heat for 15 minutes or till the rice has almost cooked and water has dried up.
7. If the water dries up and the rice hasn't cooked through, add some more water and cook uncovered for a few minutes. Don't overcook the rice, it should be slightly crispy and fluffy.
8. Remove the pan from the heat and keep it covered.

MAKING SHRIMP MASALA:

1. Place a large non-stick pan over medium heat, add oil.
2. Add onions, salt and curry leaves, sauté till the onions turn golden in color.
3. Using a mortar and pestle or in a coffee grinder, slightly crush the chopped ginger and garlic together.
4. Add the crushed ginger-garlic to the onions.
5. Add green chilies and cook for 5 minutes.
6. Add tomatoes and cook till mashed up.
7. Add turmeric powder, chili powder, coriander powder, garam masala and more salt, combine well.
8. Add lemon juice, combine well.
9. Add the shrimp and cook covered till shrimp has cooked well.
10. Once the shrimp has cooked well, uncover the pot and cook till the mixture turns dry without any water.
11. Add the chopped cilantro, combine well and cook for a minute.
12. Remove the pan from the heat and keep the shrimp masala covered.
13. Combine the shrimp masala and coconut rice together. Keep aside.

HOW TO WRAP THE SHRIMP COCONUT RICE IN A BANANA LEAF:

1. Gently wash the banana leaf under running water, pat dry with paper towel.
2. Turn on the stove to low heat and show the leaf over the flame; this is to wilt the leaf. Place the leaf over the flame only for a few seconds.
3. Place the wilted banana leaf over a clean cutting board, add 2 to 3 large spoons of prepared shrimp coconut rice onto the middle of the leaf.
4. Gently wrap the leaf, make sure there is no slit in the leaf.
5. You could tie the wrapped-up banana leaf with kitchen twine.
6. You could either cook the shrimp coconut rice wrapped in banana leaf on a pan over stovetop or bake it in the oven.

TRADITIONAL COOKING (over stovetop):

1. Place a large pan over medium-low heat.
2. Place the wrapped-up banana leaf onto the pan.
3. Cover with a lid and cook both sides for about 10 minutes, flipping it over twice or thrice.
4. Remove the wrapped-up shrimp coconut rice from the pan, let stand for 5 minutes.
5. Serve warm with pickle, dates pickle, pappadam etc. Served here with figs chutney.

HOW TO BAKE:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F.
2. Place the wrapped-up banana leaf on a baking sheet and bake it for 10 minutes.