Dried shrimp/Chenna kunni or Senna kunni - What is dried shrimp/chenna kunni?, How to clean chenna kunni?, Culinary uses of chenna kunni/dried baby shrimp in Indian cooking, How to purchase and store chenna kunni/dried shrimp?
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Inside The Post -
What is Chenna kunni/Sennakunni?/Dried Shrimp Uses/Chenna Kunni Images/Sennakunni Uses/Tiny Shrimp Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- WHAT IS DRIED FOOD
- ABOUT - DRIED SEAFOOD
- CHENNA KUNNI/DRIED SHRIMP
- APPEARANCE OF DRIED SHRIMP/CHENNA KUNNI
- FEW INDIAN REGIONAL OR VERNACULAR NAMES OF DRIED SHRIMPS
- FLAVOUR OF CHENNA KUNNI/DRIED BABY SHRIMP
- INDIAN CULINARY USES OF DRIED SHRIMP/CHENNA KUNNI
- HOW TO CLEAN THE CHENNA KUNNI/DRIED SHRIMPS?
- TIPS TO BUY AND STORE DRIED SHRIMP/CHENNA KUNNI
LET US GET TO KNOW ABOUT - "WHAT IS DRIED FOOD"
Drying food is the world’s oldest practice of preserving food. The food is preserved by evaporating the water content. Water is traditionally removed by the way of sun-drying, smoking or wind-drying the food. In this way, the food is preserved and used for several months.
ABOUT - "DRIED SEAFOOD"
Like any other food, the practice of preserving seafood has been in tradition since ancient times. There are numerous varieties of seafood, available only in the season. To preserve that seasonal produce, the process of salting and drying is traditionally done by the fisherman and family.
Dried seafood is a special delicacy. In India, dried seafood is heavily featured in the regional cuisines especially coastal regional cuisines.
In this article, I have shared the information regarding “DRIED BABY SHRIMP/CHENNA KUNNI” including its flavour, culinary uses, and how to clean, purchase and store.
ABOUT THE TOPIC-
"CHENNA KUNNI/DRIED SHRIMP"
Chenna kunni is nothing but a dried form of baby shrimp (literally: newborn baby shrimp). Dried baby shrimps are called chenna kunni or senna kunni in the Tamil language.
Fresh baby shrimps are rarely cooked. It is due to they are tiny, deshelling and cleaning them before cooking is difficult. Hence baby shrimps are mostly dried first and then use later in cooking.
Drying baby shrimps is the best way to preserve them. Dried and preserved shrimps are an easy way to use in cooking since it reduces the tedious job of cleaning.
Traditionally, shrimps or any seafood is dried under the sun.
APPEARANCE OF DRIED SHRIMP/CHENNA KUNNI
Chenna kunni/Dried baby shrimps are tiny with paper-like thin skin and golden yellow coloured. These shrimps are tinier in size similar to medium or large rice grains.
It is also available in various sizes (available from the size of rice grains to 10-rupee Indian coin size).
FEW INDIAN REGIONAL OR VERNACULAR NAMES OF DRIED SHRIMPS
Tamil name – Chenna kunni/Senna kunni/Kooni eral/kooni karuvadu/Kunju eral karuvadu.
Malayalam name – Unakku chemmen konju.
Telugu name – Endu royyalu.
Bengali name – Shutki chingri.
Goan name – Galmo/Sukya sungtachi.
Konkani name – Javala/Sukha javla.
Hindi name – Sukhi jhinga.
FLAVOUR OF CHENNA KUNNI/DRIED BABY SHRIMP
Chenna kunni/dried baby shrimp have a stronger aroma and more concentrated flavour (umami flavour). Though these are tiny paper-like little ones, it imparts as flavourful as the larger shrimps. Dried shrimps might be salted or unsalted. It depends upon how they are preserved. However, most of the seafood is preserved by salting and drying. So, make sure to taste the food and adjust the seasoning.
INDIAN CULINARY USES OF DRIED SHRIMP/CHENNA KUNNI
Chenna kunni/dried baby shrimp is a lesser-known ingredient. However, it is popular among the people living along the Indian coastlines. They enjoy eating both fresh and dried seafood almost every day.
Most of the fish or most of the seafood is available only in season. To preserve seasonal seafood or surplus seafood varieties sun-dry and wind-dry method is traditionally used. The process of preserving seafood is usually done by the fisherman and his family.
USES OF CHENNA KUNNI
Chenna kunni is a versatile ingredient. It can be used to make various savoury foods.
FOR EXAMPLE
CHENNA KUNNI PODI (Dry chutney powder used as a side dish for Idli/Dosai or Plain white rice), CHENNA KUNNI PICKLES, CHENNA KUNNI THOKKU (side dish for rice) and many more.
In the picture - Senna Kunni Karuvadu Thokku Recipe/Chenna Kunni Karuvadu Thokku Recipe/Dried Baby Shrimp Gravy Recipe
For the detailed Senna Kunni Karuvadu Thokku Recipe/Chenna Kunni Karuvadu Thokku Recipe/Dried Baby Shrimp Gravy Recipe. Kindly, click the below link -
🔗Senna Kunni Karuvadu Thokku Recipe/Chenna Kunni Karuvadu Thokku Recipe/Dried Baby Shrimp Gravy Recipe
In Tamilnadu, chenna kunni is mostly paired with nattu kaikari (country vegetables) to prepare various side dishes. It is usually served with plain white rice or any Indian bread.
COUNTRY VEGETABLES
Brinjal, Flat beans, Raw banana and Ladyfingers.
(Any one of the above-mentioned country vegetables is usually paired with chenna kunni/dried baby shrimps).
Dried baby shrimps can be used to make soups, stuffing for momos, samosa or any savoury fried foods.
SECRET COOKING TIP
If you want your fish curry to taste authentic and finger-licking taste add a spoonful of cleaned chenna kunni/dried baby shrimp to your fish curry.
The above is some of the culinary uses or recipe ideas using chenna kunni/dried baby shrimps.
So far, I have shared what is chenna kunni/dried baby shrimp, its culinary uses, flavour and a few Indian regional names of it. There are some essential steps to be followed before using chenna kunni/dried baby shrimps in cooking. Here below I have given how to clean the chenna kunni/dried baby shrimps-
HOW TO CLEAN THE CHENNA KUNNI/DRIED SHRIMPS?
Dried shrimp/chenna kunni or any other dried seafood needs to be cleaned properly before cooking. Since seafood is dried under the sun and the wind in an open place particularly on the seashore. It is full of dust, sand, debris and sometimes excess salt (salt is used to preserve the food). Though you buy the cleaned dried seafood. It is very essential to clean them before cooking.
Here below are the steps to clean chenna kunni/dried baby shrimps –
CLEANING
- Take only the required measurement of chenna kunni/dried baby shrimp in a dry bowl or plate. Check for dust, debris, and stone if any, remove them;
- Heat a pan on low flame, add the chenna kunni/dried shrimp and dry roast for 1-2 minutes (do not burn it);
- Transfer to winnower or wide plate, now using palms rub the dried shrimps;
- Once shell, excess salt, or other unwanted dust comes off; Winnow or use your hands and remove the dust and take only shrimps.
WASHING
- Heat water in a pot, and add a pinch of turmeric, once the water starts to boil. Switch off the flame and add cleaned chenna kunni/dried baby shrimps. Allow it to rest for 20-30 minutes;
- After half an hour, do not shake the vessel and slowly take only the shrimps out of the water;
- Now wash the shrimps in 3-4 exchanges of water. Drain the excess water;
- Now chenna kunni is ready to use.
- Do not skip the above steps before using dried shrimp in cooking.
TIP
The above steps can be used to clean similar kinds of dried seafood.
Chenna kunni/dried shrimp is one of the healthiest ingredients and has been in use for a longer time. So, whenever possible try to include dried shrimps in your diet.
The above is some of the basic information and recipe ideas using chenna kunni/dried baby shrimps. You could innovatively use dried baby shrimps in your cooking.
TIPS TO BUY AND STORE DRIED SHRIMP/CHENNA KUNNI
Most of the fresh and dried seafood are not possibly available everywhere, because they are truly local, seasonal and regional delicacies. However, nowadays we can easily find some dried seafood in the online market.
Within India, chenna kunni/dried baby shrimp is easily available around the year at local shops along the Indian coastlines, especially fish markets. Internationally, you can find dried shrimps in Chinese seafood stores or any Asian seafood market.
When buying chenna kunni/dried baby shrimps, look for freshness, moisture-free and evenly coloured shrimps.
SUGGESTION
Do not buy any seafood in bulk quantities because high humidity or any moisture might create moulds on them. In case, if it got moulds, it becomes inedible and you have no choice but to throw them away.
HOW TO STORE CHENNA KUNNI/SENNAKUNNI/DRIED SHRIMP?
You can easily store dried baby shrimps in the refrigerator for several months. But make sure to keep them in an air-tight container or zip lock cover. You can also freeze them to extend their shelf life.
IMPORTANT TIP
- Always use a dry spoon or measuring cup to take out the required amounts of shrimp.
- Properly place them back in the refrigerator.
HAPPY COOKING!
with better ingredients for better food.
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