Crab Masala
Mouth watering Masala Crab with the tantalizing aroma of spices. It tickles all the senses. The video includes how to prepare the crab before cooking.
Total time is not inclusive of – chilling the live crab and marination time.
The Recipe Intro↓ has , STEP WISE pics, on the cleaning of CRABS , more information as well as Recipe Video. Don’t forget to check it out.
Ingredients:
| Mud Crabs / Large Crabs (750 gms weight after cleaning and discarding head shell and waste) | 2 large sized | |
| Shallots, sliced | 1/2 cup | |
| Ginger-Garlic paste | 4 Tbsp (heaped) | |
| Fresh Curry leaves | 2 sprigs | |
| Mild chilli powder (Kashmiri) | 2 Tbsp | |
| Turmeric powder | 1 tsp | |
| Coriander powder | 2 Tbsp | |
| Salt | To taste ( a little less than 1 tsp) | |
| Fish tamarind / Gambooge | 2 pieces | |
| Sugar | A Pinch | |
| Tomato, chopped | 1 | |
| Coconut oil | 3 Tbsp |
Method:
- Place live crabs in the freezer for 45 minutes, up to one hour to immobilize. Do not freeze the crabs.
- Clean the crabs, by following the video or stepwise pics on the Intro page.
- Make sure to crack the claws and twist the leg ends off to help the marinade penetrate.
- Rinse the cleaned crabs off once, and then place them in a bowl to marinate.
- Add all the remaining ingredients except fish tamarind (dried gambooge). Rub well into the crab pieces carefully.
- Set aside for 1 hour only.
- Pour hot boiled water over the fish tamarind (dried gambooge) in a small bowl to soften.
- After one hour, Add the marinated crab to an earthen pot for the best flavor results.
- Rinse out the marinating bowl with water and pour over the crab. Add just enough water to cover the crab somewhat.. this water must cook down so don’t add too much.
- Also, add the softened fish tamarind (dried gambooge) now.
- Bring to a boil. Then reduce heat and cook on a very gentle simmer for 15 minutes.
- Stir occasionally. It smells so delicious! Careful that the masala doesn’t get scorched on the bottom.
- After 15 minutes, the gravy should be thickened nicely. Add a splash of water if it seems too dry. Check for salt once. Also, ADD A PINCH OF SUGAR TO BALANCE FLAVORS.
- Once all the liquid is cooked down to get a nice thick gravy add the chopped tomato. Continue cooking just till the tomato is softened and mashable.
- At the very end the coconut oil. This adds a delicious depth and brings all the flavors together.
- Just return to a simmer once more and this delicious Crab Masala is ready to serve with steamed rice!
Crab Masala
Notes:
- Want to watch this video in Malayalam? Check it out on my Malayalam Channel – WATCH HERE> ഞണ്ടു വറ്റിച്ചത്
What is Fish Tamarind/ Gambooge.- Ginger Garlic Paste – video
Key Ingredients: Crab, Shallots, Ginger, Garlic, Spices, Curry Leaves, Gambooge, Tomato, Lime, Salt, Coconut Oil.
EAT AND TELL!!! Let us know if you tried – Crab Masala
Mail me your pics and testimonials 🙂 – recipesaresimple@gmail.com
