India is the world’s third-largest exporter of seafood, it is known for both its freshwater fishes and other seafood which includes various fish, prawns, crabs, and oysters. The coastal population of the country depends mostly on seafood for protein in their diet and has come up with various delicious recipes. Fish is the most common seafood here with an uncountable number of recipes from simple fish fry to Patra Ni Macchi of Maharashtra. Apart from fish, there are other kinds of seafood as well which are very famous and cooked with the essence of spices and herbs, such as crab.
Eating crab is an art, the skill of digging, scooping, and breaking crabmeat comes with an experience and it is loaded with various nutrients and vitamins which help in muscle building. It also prevents chronic diseases like anemia. But crabs are expensive if you eat in a restaurant, so why not try cooking them? Here is the recipe for four Indian-style crab curry which you can cook in your kitchen:
1. Goan Crab Curry
Ingredients:
- 4 crabs (properly cleaned)
- 1 tomato
- 1 large onion and 1/4 cup finely chopped
- ½ cup grated coconut
- 1-inch ginger
- 5-6 garlic cloves
- 2-3 dry red chilli
- 1 tsp fennel seeds
- ½ tsp cumin seeds
- 3-4 cloves
- 4-5 cardamoms
- 1 small piece cinnamon
- ¼ tsp turmeric powder
- ½ tsp red chilli powder
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- ½ tsp garam masala powder
- Salt as per taste
- 10 curry leaves
- ½ cup coriander leaves
- 4-5 tsp oil
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 2-3 tsp coconut milk
Method:
- Clean the crabs and cut them into pieces.
- Marinate with salt, turmeric powder, and lemon juice.
- In a pan heat one tbsp oil and add the fennel seeds, cumin seeds, red chillies, cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon.
- After 3 minutes add onion and saute it.
- Add ginger and garlic after one minute.
- Now add the grated onion and stir fry for a minute.
- Grind it adding water to a thick paste.
- Now heat oil in a pan and add the finely chopped onions and saute.
- Add the tomato cubes and the spice powders except for garam masala.
- Tip in the marinated crab pieces and stir fry until the color changes.
- Now add the ground masala paste, curry leaves, and salt.
- Stir fry for a few minutes.
- Add one and a half cups of water and simmer to cook for about 15 minutes.
- Finally, stir in the coconut milk and garnish with coriander leaves.
2. Malvani Crab Curry
Ingredients:
- 5 crabs (properly cleaned)
- 2 tsp fish malvani masala
- Salt to taste
- ¼ tsp turmeric powder
- 2 tsp oil
- 3 tsp chopped onion
- ½ cup scraped coconut
- ½ cup dried coconut
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp red chilli powder
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp fresh chopped coriander leaves
Method:
- Take the crab abdomens and large claws in a bowl and add salt and turmeric powder, mix and let it marinate.
- Heat one tsp oil in a non-stick pan add 2 tsp chopped onion, mix and sauté till golden.
- Add fresh coconut and sauté for three minutes.
- Add dried coconut and sauté till it turns brown.
- Then remove from heat and let it cool.
- Extract the juice from the small crab claws by grinding in a mixer jar with half a cup of water and strain into a bowl.
- Grind together the coconut mixture and garlic with a half cup of water into a fine paste.
- Heat the remaining oil in a non-stick pan and add the remaining onion and sauté till golden.
- Add the prepared paste, mix well and cook for a minute.
- Then add chilli powder and malvani masala and mix well.
- Add little water and simmer for two minutes.
- Then add the marinated crab abdomens and large claws, mix well and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and cook for three minutes.
- Add the strained crab juice, mix well and cook again for 2-3 minutes.
- Add lemon juice and mix well.
- Finally, add chopped coriander and serve hot.
3. Kerala Crab Curry
Ingredients:
- 750 gm crab
- 2 onions
- 1 chopped tomato
- 1-inch ginger (crushed)
- 10 cloves garlic (crushed)
- 2 tsp kashmiri chilli powder
- ¼ tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- ½ tsp garam masala powder
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 5 spring curry leaves
- ½ tsp mustard seeds
- 10 sliced shallots
- 4 tsp coconut oil
- Salt as per taste
Method:
- Clean the crab and keep it aside.
- Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seed and let them crackle for a few seconds.
- Then add sliced onion, chilli, and salt and saute them till light brown
- Now add chilli powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, garam masala powder, ginger & garlic paste, and chopped tomato.
- Saute them properly then add cleaned crab pieces.
- Now add coconut milk and cook for 2 minutes.
- Serve hot.
Enjoy these delicious and healthy crab recipes with your family.
