Simple Crab curry

Crab curry is a considered as a delicacy in many parts of the world and is often consumed as a main course. This recipe is a very basic and simple crab curry to prepare. Crab meat is mainly valued and liked by many for its succulent and sweet taste. Crab meat also adds wonderful flavour when added to soups, salads and dips. The simple crab curry is a very basic and fast to prepare dish where the crab is cooked in a delicious and spicy gravy masala made on onion, green chillies and tomatoes mixed with other aromatic spices.

There are many known varieties crabs. The crabs which are delicious to eat are the blue crabs, Dungeness crabs and king crabs.Dungeness crabs are large crabs with pink and juicy meat while the king crabs are extremely large in size. Since crabs have ten legs, they are called decapods. Crabs grow in size by a process of molting - they shed their hard shell, and swell up in size by ingesting lots of water. For a few days, they are covered only by a soft shell, which gradually hardens, until the next molting.

Some gourmets prefer these soft-shelled crabs, claiming they are more succulent and sweet. Whatever the preference, crab-meat is universally considered a delicacy. Dungeness crab, known for its flavor, flaky white meat, and attractive orange colored shell is a popular choice among those who are health conscious as it is rich in proteins, vitamins and minerals.  Crab cakes are one of the favourite dishes among many seafood lovers in America. It is usually made with the crab meat of Dungeness crab or blue crabs.

Crab meat can either be baked, broiled, sautéed, pan fried, or deep fried, crab cakes, made from fresh crab meat and herbs, are served with a variety of sauces or salsa to enhance the crispy, buttery texture of the meat. Some of the popular recipes are Devilled crab, Bu Phad Phong Kari (stir fried crab meat), Crab & corn chowder, Crab in ginger sauce etc. These may also be served as part of breakfast buffets, as starters, or to accompany a light salad.

Kerala is a beautiful state in India and god has generously bestowed this region with a bounty of nature and umpteen natural resources like coconut trees, plantains trees, rubber trees, spices etc. This is why it is referred to as God’s own country. The coastal regions of Kerala have a network of waterways, inlets from sea and estuaries over forty rivers, lakes and natural canals connecting coastal towns. This interlinked body of waterways is known as the backwaters in Kerala.

Many unique species of aquatic life including crabs, frogs and mudskippers, water birds such as terns, kingfishers, darters and cormorants, and animals such as otters and turtles live in and alongside the backwaters in Kerala. In India, mud crabs have come into prominence since early eighties with the commencement of live crab export to the South East Asian countries which have created a renewed interest in the exploitation as well as in the production of mud crabs through aquaculture.

There are two species of mud crabs, namely Scylla tranquebarica and Scylla serrata are found in the inshore seas, estuaries, backwaters, coastal lakes and mangrove swamps of all maritime states on the main land and the creeks and bays of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Both the species co-exist in the inshore sea as well as in the inland brackish waters preferring muddy or sandy bottom. Among the edible species, Scylla serrata, commonly called the mud crab or green crab, is important.

It is popular because of its size, meat quality, high price and export potential. Mud crab is locally called 'njandu' in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, 'petha' in Andhra Pradesh, 'kankada' in Orissa and 'kankra' in West Bengal. To prepare this juicy and mouth-watering Simple Crab curry, firstly cut some onions, green chillies, tomatoes and make a paste and keep aside. Take a pan, add some oil.

When the oil is hot, add onion paste, turmeric powder, ginger garlic paste, salt and mix well. Cook this till it becomes thick. Now add red chilli powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, coconut and poppy seeds powder or paste and mix well. Add the crab pieces and cook for 3-5 mins then add water, cover with lid and cook till the carbs are done. Once the crabs are cooked, finally add garam masala powder, coriander leaves and mix well. Tip: You can also cook this in a pressure cooker.

Crab meat is nutritionally good as it is high in vitamins, high quality proteins and amino acids. It is also rich in minerals such as calcium, copper, zinc, phosphorus and iron, while having lower levels of fat and carbohydrates. The taste, texture and nutritional benefits of crab meat make it a versatile delicacy to treat your taste buds. Crabs are a sweet and succulent delicacy that is extremely popular universally.

Do try this recipe and enjoy its taste and flavours. You can also view the making of this recipe by clicking the video:

Go ahead and….. Enjoy Cooking!