Plan Your Feast – What to Keep in Mind

Before jumping into the cooking part, it’s essential to organize a few things for a smooth experience:

• Guest Count & Dietary Preferences: Know how many people you’re cooking for and if anyone has allergies or dietary restrictions.

• Choose Variety: A good seafood feast includes a mix—fried items, curry, grilled dishes, and something in rice or noodles.

• Timing is Everything: Prep marinades a few hours in advance. Keep frying and grilling for the final hour so everything stays hot and fresh.

• Keep It Light & Fresh: Include refreshing drinks, lemon wedges, and cooling dips like mint chutney or yogurt-based sauces.

Sample Seafood Feast Menu:

1. Starter: Crispy Prawn Pakora

2. Main Course 1: Kerala-Style Fish Curry

3. Main Course 2: Grilled Garlic Butter Prawns

4. Side: Fish Fry – Street Style

5. Rice Dish: Prawn Biryani or Coconut Rice

6. Accompaniment: Mint Chutney & Raita

7. Dessert (Optional): Tender Coconut Pudding

Crispy Prawn Pakora – A Crunchy Welcome Starter

Ingredients:

• 500g prawns, cleaned and deveined

• 1 cup chickpea flour (besan)

• 1 tsp turmeric powder

• 1 tsp chili powder

• 1 tsp garam masala

• Salt to taste

• Water as needed

• Oil for deep frying

How to Cook:

In a mixing bowl, combine chickpea flour, turmeric, chili powder, garam masala, and salt. Add a little water to make a thick coating batter. Toss in the prawns and coat them well. Heat oil and deep-fry until golden brown. Serve hot with green chutney.

Kerala-Style Fish Curry – Tangy & Authentic

Ingredients:

• 500g fish pieces (seer, mackerel, or kingfish)

• 1 cup coconut milk

• 2 tbsp tamarind pulp

• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste

• 1 tsp turmeric powder

• 1 tsp red chili powder

• Curry leaves

• 2 green chilies (slit)

• Salt to taste

• 2 tbsp coconut oil

How to Cook:

In a clay or heavy-bottomed pot, heat coconut oil. Add curry leaves and green chilies. Sauté for a few seconds. Add ginger-garlic paste, turmeric, and chili powder. Cook until aromatic. Add tamarind pulp and bring to a boil. Add the fish and cook on low heat for 8–10 minutes. Pour in the coconut milk and simmer without boiling. Serve hot with rice.

Grilled Garlic Butter Prawns – Juicy & Elegant

Ingredients:

• 500g large prawns (deveined, tails on)

• 5 garlic cloves (minced)

• 3 tbsp butter

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• 1 tsp chili flakes

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Fresh coriander or parsley for garnish

How to Cook:

Marinate prawns in lemon juice, garlic, butter, salt, pepper, and chili flakes for 20–30 minutes. Grill on a hot pan or barbecue until pink and charred slightly—about 3–4 minutes per side. Garnish with herbs and serve.

Fish Fry – Street Style with a Crunchy Twist

Use the same method shared in the earlier blog for consistency across the menu. Make sure it’s served hot and crispy right before the meal begins.

Prawn Biryani – Aromatic & Filling

Ingredients:

• 2 cups basmati rice

• 500g prawns

• 1 cup yogurt

• 1 tsp biryani masala

• 1 tsp turmeric

• 2 onions (fried until brown)

• Ghee, whole spices (cardamom, cinnamon, bay leaves)

• Salt to taste

How to Cook:

Marinate prawns with yogurt, turmeric, and biryani masala for 30 minutes. Partially cook rice with whole spices. In a heavy-bottomed pot, layer prawns and fried onions, then rice. Drizzle with ghee and cover tightly. Cook on dum (low heat) for 20 minutes. Serve with raita.

Mint Chutney & Raita – Cooling Accompaniments

Blend fresh mint, coriander, green chilies, lemon juice, and salt for mint chutney. For raita, mix yogurt with chopped cucumber, salt, and cumin powder.

Serving Tips:

• Use banana leaves or rustic plates for an authentic coastal vibe.

• Keep tissues, hand bowls, or wet wipes handy—seafood is best enjoyed with fingers!

• Play soft coastal music in the background to enhance the experience.

Final Thought

Hosting a seafood feast at home isn’t just about food—it’s about creating a warm, coastal atmosphere that brings everyone together. With a little prep and the right blend of recipes, your seafood soirée will be one to remember.