Malvani Crab Masala

Ingredients

For Marinade

2 pounds blue crabs, cleaned, and cut

2 tsp turmeric powder

2 tsp chili powder

1 tbsp garlic paste

2 tbsp tamarind pulp

Sea salt to taste

For Spice paste

2 medium red onions, sliced thin

3 cloves of garlic

1 tbsp oil

3 tsp coriander seeds

4 cloves

1 tsp black peppercorns

1 inch piece of cinnamon

1 cup shredded dry coconut

1 tsp red chili powder

1 tbsp tamarind pulp

For dish

2 medium onions finely diced

1 tablespoon oil

1 tsp salt 

Method

Marination

1. Mix the marination ingredients together and rub the marinade well into the cleaned crabs. Set aside for half an hour.

Spice paste

1. In a pan, heat the oil over medium heat. 
2. Fry the coriander seeds, cloves, peppercorns and cinnamon until the coriander seeds are deep golden brown and the other spices swell up and are fragrant. Remove from pan.
3. In the same pan, in the remaining oil, sauté the sliced onion and the garlic cloves until the onion starts to caramelize and the garlic is golden 
4. Add the shredded dry coconut and stir fry until toasted and golden. 
5. Add the chili powder and stir for a few seconds. Remove from heat.
6. Grind together all the sautéed mixture with the tamarind pulp. 
7. Add ½ of the finely diced onion to it and set it aside.

Dish

1. In stew pot add a tbsp of oil and sauté the other half of the finely diced onion until it is translucent. 
2. Add the marinated crabs along with all the marinade. 
3. Add the masala paste and mix well. 
4. Add 2 cups of water and salt. Cover and cook the crabs for about 20 to 25 minutes or until done. 

 

Notes

1. Potatoes can be added to this dish. Cut into 4 and add with the crabs
2. You can adjust the water according to how thick or thin you want the gravy.
3. If making in Instapot, sauté onions in Sauté mode. Add the rest (crabs, spice paste, water & salt) and cook on high pressure for 30mins