Papaya Shrimp Curry

Merry Christmas to all my friends and family members. The glitter of bright decorations, the sound of joyous Christmas carols, the happy children and the cheerful  "Merry Christmas" greetings. Do take this opportunity to tell your loves one how much they mean to you. Forget the things that made us sad and remember those that made you glad. Forget the troubles that passed your way and remember the blessing that come each day.

Let me share with you the wonder of papaya fruit.

Though the exact area of origin is unknown, the papaya is believed native to tropical America, perhaps in southern Mexico and neighbouring Central America. It is recorded that seeds were taken to Panama and then the Dominican Republic before 1525 and cultivation spread to warm elevations throughout South and Central America, southern Mexico, the West Indies and Bahamas, and to Bermuda in 1616.

Mexican Papaya Plantation 

Spaniards carried seeds to the Philippines about 1550 and the papaya travelled from there to Malacca and India. Seeds were sent from India to Naples in 1626. Now the papaya is familiar in nearly all tropical regions of the Old World and the Pacific Islands and has become naturalized in many areas. Seeds were probably brought to Florida from the Bahamas.

Hawaii Papaya

Health benefits of papaya.

1/  Skin & Papaya- It is great for the skin and can be used as a face pack to get its benefits. It helps to get rid of acne and skin infections as it helps to open clogged pores. The fermented flesh of papaya also called as papain helps to dissolve the dead cells, giving fresh and glowing skin as a result. It is good to cure the skin infections and wounds that don’t heal quickly.

2/  Cholesterol & Papaya- As it is a fruit that is rich in fiber it lowers blood cholesterol levels. It contains enzymes that help prevent oxidization of cholesterol, which in return helps to prevent heart-attacks.

3/  Anti-ageing & Papaya- The antioxidants in papaya help in controlling premature ageing. This quality of the papaya helps you to get a younger look.

4/  Intestinal Worms & Papaya - The seeds of papaya too possess medicinal properties. They are very good in treating intestinal worms in body.

5/  Constipation & Papaya- Papaya helps in preventing constipation and aids in digestion. The enzyme papain is a digestive enzyme that helps in natural digestion.

6/  Colon & Papaya- Its juice helps in curing infections of the colon by clearing the pus and mucus from it. You need to take it regularly to heal quickly.

Papaya Carrot Juice

7/   Weight Loss & Papaya- It is low in calories and high in nutritional values. Hence, it is a good food for those who want to lose some weight.

8/  Morning Sickness & Papaya- In pregnant ladies, regular consumption of a small slice of papaya helps to cure nausea and morning sickness.

9/  Osteoporosis & Papaya- It contains anti-inflammatory enzymes that help in relieving pain for those who are suffering from arthritis, edema and osteoporosis, and it also possesses anti-cancerous properties that can help prevent cancer.

Papaya Varieties 

10/  Immunity & Papaya- It is rich in Vitamin A and Vitamin C that help in boosting the body’s immunity and hence is very good for those who are suffering from fever, cold or flu.

11/  Shampoos & Papaya- Shampoos containing papaya are very good to control dandruff.

12/  Menstrual Irregularities & Papaya- It helps in controlling the menstrual irregularities in women. Papaya helps to ease menstrual cramps and helps in promoting regular flow of menstruation.

Sprinkle papaya with fresh lime and enjoy as it's.....

13/  Liver cancer & Papaya juice- As it has anti-proliferative effect on liver cancer cells it stops or slows down the growth of the cancer cells of liver and helps in its cure.

14/  Contraception & Papaya- Research with adult male langur monkeys has shown that it has contraceptive capability and maybe it has similar effect in adult males too.

15/  Kidney disorder & Papaya- In poison related kidney disorder it was found that the aqueous seed extract of the unripe mature fruits of papaya induces antioxidant and oxidative free radical scavenging and help kidney to recover.

16/  Dengue Treatment and Papaya - Researchers have found that the juice obtained from the papaya leaves helps in the dengue fever treatment. The extract obtained from the papaya leaf increases the platelet count also known as thrombocytes in patients with dengue fever.

Papaya pot plants

And in India, Pakistan....
The leaves, seeds and the milk of the papaya tree are used to cure intestinal problems and kill intestinal worms and parasites. Women from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh use them to prevent pregnancy and for abortion.

Another tropical Christmas menu to wow your lover or hubby.

Papaya Shrimp Curry
12 large shrimp
1/2 or 3 slices of medium ripe papaya
1 tomato
1 medium onion
1 bowl or 250 mls water
100 mls thick coconut milk
1 1/2 tbsp cooking oil
2 cloves garlic
1/2 inch ginger
5 dried chilli or 1 tbsp chilli paste
2 bird eye chilli ( optional ) - remove seed
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1 tbsp curry powder
1/2 black pepper corn
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp coriander seeds
1 tbsp toasted coconut
1 to 1.5 tsp salt or to taste
2 tsp sugar
1.5 tsp vinegar
2 sprig curry leaves

1/  Trim off the eyes, feelers and legs of shrimp.  Keep the head and shell intact. Wash and pat dry with kitchen towel.

2/  Marinate the shrimp with turmeric powder and curry powder. Chill in fridge until ready to cook.
3/  Toast the grated coconut in non stick pan until slightly brown and fragrant. Keep aside.

4/  Soak the dried chilli in hot water and remove the seed. Grind the dried chilli and bird eye chilli until very fine. Note: Usually I prepare in large quantity and freeze it.

5/  Grind the black pepper corn, cumin seed, coriander seed until very fine.
6/  Cut the tomato into wedges. Slice the ginger thinly into julienne. Chop the onion into small pieces. Slice the garlic thinly.
7/  Peel the papaya skin and cut into wedges. Then cut each wedge of papaya into 3/4 inch diagonally. Keep aside.

8/  Heat oil in wok and stir fry onion, garlic and ginger for 2 mins. Then add in the chilli paste and stir fry until fragrant about 3 to 4  mins. Add in the grind pepper corn, cumin seed, coriander seed and mix well.

9/  Add in the shrimps and stir fry for 2 mins. Add water, salt, sugar and tomato. Cook the shrimp for several mins.

10/  Pour in the thick coconut milk, toasted coconut, vinegar, curry leaves and taste the gravy to your preference. Wooohoo... my shrimp swimming in the coconut gravy.

11/  Add in the papaya and cook until the shrimp is ready. Add more water if you want more gravy.

12/ Papaya shrimp curry is ready to serve.

Presenting my Tropical Christmas delight.

Soft and sweet papaya, great combination with shrimp curry.

 

One spoonful of papaya with curry gravy you feel like dancing the hula hula.

You can mop up the gravy with extra rice or French loaf.

Serve the papaya shrimp curry with hot rice.

And today's dessert is something simple and refreshing.
Tropical Papaya Delight 

Cut the papaya into 1 inch cube and chill in fridge.
Mix fresh grated coconut with pinch of salt. Coat the cut papaya with fresh grated coconut, garnish with mint leaves and serve immediately.

Pretty colour combination and delightful.

A simple divine tropical dessert.

I'm sure you love this for your Christmas dinner. Baked papaya. You can refer here for the recipe.

In the true spirit of the holiday season, may peace, joy, hope and happiness be yours during this holiday season and throughout the year.

Greetings from Amelia