Kerala Crab Roast

Kerala Crab Roast
By: Sumod Tom

നല്ല എരിവും പുളിയുമുള്ള ഞണ്ട് കറി ഇഷ്ടം ഇല്ലാത്തവർ ഉണ്ടോ??!!
ഞണ്ട് കറി കഴിക്കുമ്പോൾ സ്പൂണും ഫോര്കും ഒക്കെ മാറ്റി വച്ച് രണ്ടു കയ്യും കൊണ്ട് തന്നെ കഴിക്കണം. കറുമുറ എന്ന് .. എന്ത് രസമാണ് അല്ലെ ..
ഞണ്ടും കപ്പ വേവിച്ചതും ആണ് എനിക്ക് ഏറ്റവും ഇഷ്ട്ടപെട്ട കൂട്ട്, നിങ്ങള്ക്കോ ??!!!

Crab at any time is most welcome into my humble abode!!!
One of the most delicious of all sea foods, cooked in spicy masala. The natural sweetness infused along with the spicy masala brings out the best in this exotic dish. Crab is must eaten spicy ( my personal way). There is a misconception that cleaning crabs is a very tough task, but let me tell you, it is much easier than cleaning fish. Sharing photos and videos
https://youtu.be/UwlFosiLTwk
which will make it easier for your understanding. The most important thing is the last part…Eating the crab. I personally was not a very good crab eater but practice makes perfect, right!!! So eat more crabs and get perfect!! Don’t expect crab eating to be a pretty sight…Dunk in with your bare hands and enjoy this delicacy to the utmost.

Ingredients

Crab – 1.5 kg
Shallots – a handful (sliced)
Onions – 2 large (sliced)
Garlic- 1 full pod (crushed)
Ginger – 2 inch piece (julienned)
Tomato – 1 large
Lemon juice -1 lemon
Pepper – 1 Tablespoon (crushed)
Green chili – 3 to 4 (optional)
Chili powder- 2 teaspoons
Coriander powder – 3 tablespoons
Turmeric powder – 1 teaspoon
Freshly crushed spice mix – ¾ teaspoon
Curry leaves- few strings
Asafoetida – a pinch
Coconut oil – 2 tablespoons
Salt to taste
Mustard seeds – 1 teaspoon

Method:

Clean the crab properly, wash in cold running water and set it aside to drain completely.
Marinate the cleaned crabs with turmeric powder, pepper powder, lemon juice and salt, toss well and keep aside for 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, slice shallots, onions, garlic, and ginger (thin julienne).
Heat a large chatti/tava, add coconut oil, crackle mustard seeds, and add a few strands of curry leaves. Then add a pinch of asafoetida, ginger and garlic, sauté for few minutes, followed by green chili, shallots and onion, sauté till soft and done, add the spice powders, sauté well till done. Add in the chopped tomatoes and sauté till the tomatoes are softened and oil separates.
Now add in the crabs, salt and sauté well in high heat for few minutes. Ensure that all thr crab pieces are fully covered with the masala mix.
Add little water and mix well, cover and cook till done. Adjust the gravy as per your requirement. I prefer a thick gravy for this roast. Garnish with some fresh curry leaves...
This is a sure shot killer recipe…..eaten best with Kappa (tapioca) vevichathu , rice or as a separate starter itself.
Note: You can add coconut milk finally to adjust the gravy requirement; it is an added and delicious variation to this dish.