Crab Curry in Malvani Masala

Crabs are easy to make and absolutely delicious....

recipe:

Ingredients:
1 kg crabs
3 onions sliced
2 tbsp lemon juice( tamarind pulp works well too)
2 tbsp finely chopped coriander
Salt
Oil
1 cup sliced dry coconut
2-3 green chillies
8-10 flakes of garlic
1 inch piece of ginger
Puree of 2 tomatoes
1cup coconut milk

Malwani Masala
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5 dried red chillies
½ tsp black peppercorns
1tbsp coriander seeds
1 star anise
3 cloves
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
1 piece cinnamon stick
2 green cardamoms
½ tsp cumin seeds
1tbsp fennel seeds
1 tsp nutmeg powder ( I skipped this)
½ tsp turmeric powder

Method:

Step 1: Wash and clean the crabs well.Apply salt and turmeric and keep aside for 15minutes and wash again.

Step 2:
To make the Malwani Masala,roast all the ingredients in a dry frying pan but not the nutmeg & turmeric powder. Cool the roasted spices and grind in a grinder to a fine powder. Mix in the nutmeg & turmeric. This powdered mix can be stored in an air tight container for a few months n can be used for other dishes too.

Step 3:
Heat the oil add the sliced onions.Add salt and Cook on a medium heat stirring occasionally until softened and brown in color.Now add whole ginger ,garlic and dry coconut and saute for 5minutes .Stir well and then take this off heat,allow it to cool a bit and grind this to a fine paste.Now in the same pan ,pour this paste and 4-5tsps of the dry malvani masala . Saute well till it gives in a nice aroma.Usually tomato is not added,but i added in tomato puree and allowed it to leave its oil.Now add in the crabs and saute for 5minutes,add a splash of water and cover n cook till the crab turns red and is covered well with the masala.After 10 minutes add in hot water , depending on the consistency of gravy you want.I added 2 cups of water and 1cup of thin coconut milk.Give it a nice boil and garnish with lemon juice and coriander leaves.Enjoiii.