NADAN NJANDU ROAST / KERALA STYLE SPICY CRAB ROAST

Ingredients

1. Crab,cleaned-250 gms
2. Onion,sliced-1 cup( 2 small)
3. Green chilies,cut vertically-1 no( or to taste)
4. Curry leaves-2 sprigs
5. Tomato,chopped-1/2 cup(1 medium)
6. Thick coconut milk-1/4 cup
7. Water-as required
8. Salt-to taste
9. Oil-as required

For masla paste

1. Ginger-1/2 ” piece
2. Garlic-2 cloves
3. Shallots-4 to 5 nos
4. Kashmiri chili powder<-3/4 to 1 tbsp(See notes)
5. Coriander powder-1.5 tsp
6. Turmeric powder-1/2 tsp
7. Black pepper powder-1/4 to 1/2 tsp( see notes)
8. Garam masala powder-1/2 tsp
9. Water-as required

Directions

• Grind together all the ingredients listed under ‘For masala paste’ to form a thick paste.Keep aside.
• Heat oil in a pan and add onion,green chilies and curry leaves.Saute until it turns golden brown ,on a medium low flame.
• Add the masala paste and cook over a medium low flame,stirring continuously, for 4 to 5 minutes or until oil separates.
• Add finely chopped tomato and cook until it turns soft and oil separates.Add salt to taste.
• Add crab , 1/2 cup water ( or more if required) and mix well.Cover and cook until it is done.Uncover and cook until gravy turns thick.
• Add coconut milk and mix well.Cook for 4 to 5 minutes or until the gravy coats the crab pieces.
• Add more curry leaves ,if desired.

NOTES

• For best results use homemade garam masala.
• This is a spicy crab preparation,I used 1 tbsp kashmiri chili powder ,  1/2 tsp black pepper powder and 1 green chili.You can adjust the spice level according to your taste.