How to Cook Crab Curry: A Step-by-Step Guide

Curry is a beloved dish in Indian cuisine, and when paired with delicious crab, it takes the flavors to an entirely new level. This crab curry recipe is a perfect blend of spicy, aromatic, and succulent flavors. Follow this guide to create a flavorful and aromatic crab curry that is sure to impress your family and friends.

Ingredients

2 large crabs (best quality from Emeat-Bhubaneswar) Turmeric powder Mustard oil 15 minutes marinade (turmeric powder, salt, and mustard oil) Dried red chillies Cumin seeds Black peppercorns Mustard seeds Coriander seeds Cloves Cinnamon Onions, sliced Tomatoes, roughly chopped Garlic pods, crushed Ginger, minced Poppy seeds Panchphoran Bay leaves Potatoes, sliced thickly Garam masala Coriander leaves, for garnish (optional)

Preparation Steps

Step 1: Prepare the Crab

Buy the best quality crabs from Emeat-Bhubaneswar. Rinse them under cold water to clean them. Once you have cleaned the crabs, take out the big legs and claws. Carefully pull away the back of the crab to remove the body from the top shell. Discard the feathery gills, and cut the crab into 2-4 parts as per your preference. Alternatively, ask your fish seller to do this for you to save time.

Step 2: Marinate the Crab

Marinate the crab pieces in a mixture of turmeric powder, salt, and mustard oil for 15 minutes. This will help to enhance their flavor and ensure they cook evenly.

Step 3: Roast the Dry Masalas

Heat a pan and dry roast the dried red chillies, cumin seeds, black peppercorns, mustard seeds, coriander seeds, cloves, and cinnamon until they sputter and release aromatic steam. Set aside to cool.

Step 4: Grind the Masala Paste

In a grinder jar, add the sliced onions, tomatoes, garlic pods, ginger, poppy seeds, and roasted dry masalas. Grind to a fine paste. You can further grind it if desired, ensuring a smooth consistency that does not affect the taste.

Step 5: Prepare the Wok

Wok about 4 tablespoons of mustard oil until it reaches the smoking stage in a wok. Add the marinated crab meat and stir-fry for 5 minutes or until the crab color changes. Remove the crab meat from the wok and set it aside.

Step 6: Cook the Potatoes

In the same wok, add the thickly sliced potatoes and cook until they are tender but still slightly crisp. Set the potatoes aside for further use.

Step 7: Cook the Masala Paste

Add bay leaves and panchphoran to the remaining oil, and let them sputter before stirring in the ground masala paste over medium heat. Cook until the masala is oil-free and has a nice aroma.

Step 8: Combine All Ingredients

Attach the fried crab meat to the ground masala paste and stir-fry for another 3-4 minutes. Add 2 cups of water and the prepared potatoes. Reduce the heat to low, taste, and adjust the salt as required. Cover and cook for about 10 minutes or until the crab is cooked through. For a thicker gravy, you can add one more cup of water and adjust the seasoning accordingly.

Step 9: Garnish and Serve

Garnish with chopped fresh coriander and garam masala if desired. Serve hot with steamed rice or chapatis.

Conclusion

This step-by-step guide will help you create a mouthwatering crab curry that is perfect for a special occasion or a comforting meal with loved ones. Experiment with different spices and herbs to customize the recipe to your taste and preferences.