Crab n spice - crab masala... ;)

:D :D :D :D - That’s T when he is waiting for this dish to be done. I got this recipe from Nithya about four years back & all this time it’s been a WINNER! Everybody who has ducked into this scrumptious dish has been going mmmmmmmn…. So herez what can make you hum into oblivion.. ;)

P.P.S.: Make sure you pick the freshest of crabs – they should still be crawling when you buy them from the vendor and should smell fresh. You could ask him to crack and clean them for you – this is the part of the cooking process that I can never get involved in! Anyways, once you get past that, here goes… :)

You need:

1 kg fresh meaty crabs – marinated*

1 tsp cumin seeds

2-3 slit green chillies (adjust accordingly)

5-6 pods garlic finely chopped

1 inch ginger finely chopped

½ tsp turmeric

2-3 medium sized onions puréed

2-3 ripened tomatoes puréed

a big pinch of garam masala

a handful of finely chopped coriander

salt to taste

2-3 tbsp cooking oil

* * * For the marinade * * *

1 tsp turmeric

2 tsp red chilly powder

2 tsp ginger-garlic paste (preferably ground at home)

4-5 medium ripened tomatoes puréed (more if you need a thicker gravy)

salt to taste

Soak the cracked and cleaned crab in the above marinade and keep aside for a couple of hours. I usually let it rest in the refrigerator overnight.

In a large wok, heat the oil and add the cumin seeds. Follow with the green chillies, garlic and ginger and sauté till it starts turning golden. Add the turmeric, puréed onions and cook till the onions start taking on a darker hue. Now add the puréed tomatoes and cook till you see oil bubbling at the edges. Throw in the marinated crabs, salt and cook till done. Add the garam masala and stir well. Take the wok off the flame, garnish with chopped coriander and cover till you are ready to serve.

InDuLgE .... n go mmmmmmmmmmm!!!!! :D

Pointers:

>> Crack the claws with a pestle if they are intact so that the marinade can seep in. 

>> You can ask the vendor to snap off the razor edges in the claws so that you don't get hurt if you mindlessly happen to bite into them! ;)