Mmm...Who does not enjoy a lovely crab curry on a cold day/night? Perfectly spiced to get those sensations going.
A recipe by a good friends mum, Mrs. Govender from my neighborhood Ingredients:
2.5 kgs large crab (If you can, crack some of the hard shelled pieces so the juices soak in ½ cup oil
1tsp roasted jeera seeds, 1 tsp crushed methi seeds, 1 tsp mustard seeds
2 large onions sliced
Ginger garlic paste
1 sprig curry leaves
4 split green chilies (add extra heat)
1 tsp turmeric powder
3 Tbsp. Kashmiri hot masala
1 Tbsp. Kashmiri chili powder
3 ripe tomatoes grated
1 tin tomato puree
2 tsp tamarind soaked in a cup of boiling water
Salt to taste
Dhania aka Coriander finely chopped for braising onions and some for garnishing
Method
Steam cook the crabs halfway in salt (shell turns red and then is when you remove Strain and keep aside
Heat oil and add jeera, mustard seeds, and green chilies together with sliced onion and allow to fry until onions are soft. Do not brown to a crisp
Add in the ginger garlic paste, green chilies, and curry leaves
Add water to thicken mix and cook for 5 minutes
Add Kashmiri masala and Kashmiri chili powder. Allow to cook for a further 10 minutes
Pour in grated tomatoes and cook until tomatoes soften, then add in a tin of tomato puree and cook for 10 minutes
I add lemon juice to bring a different flavor to the taste
Add 3 cups of water and cook on high heat for 30 – 35 minutes until a thick gravy forms
Lower heat and add in the tamarind and cook for a further 10 minutes
Garnish with chopped coriander aka dhania
*Let sit to cool prior to serving