Skip to main content

Njandu/Crab Varutharacha Curry


Njandu/Crab Varutharacha Curry

A typical Kerala style seafood delicacy with great aroma and taste. Its crab cooked in roasted coconut gravy which  is spicy and tangy.I have a crab masala recipe which is a dry version. This recipe was in draft for quiet some time and I almost forgot about it. Crab is a once in a while food,I love it but crab cleaning is a gruesome business. Back at home it is a seasonal food and grandmother was a expert in deciding when to buy and what sort of crab to buy,etc etc..So for today's recipe there is a little preparation before you cook the dish and that is making the roasted ground paste. It is delicious curry and can be served with rice or with tapioca.

Ingredients

Crab - 8 medium
(clean and then cut length wise into half)
Onion- 1 medium finely chopped
Ginger- 1 inch thick
Garlic- 3-4 pods
Green chilly - 2
(Make all the three into a fine paste)
Kudampuli/Malabar tamarind- 3 pieces
Turmeric powder- 1/2 tsp
Pepper powder- 1/3 tsp
Curry leaves- a few
Mustard seeds- 1/2 tsp

For the ground paste
Coconut grated - 1 1/2 cup
Shallots- 6-8 chopped
Fenugreek seeds- 1/3 tsp
Fennel seeds- 1/3 tsp
Ginger sliced- 2 inch thick
Garlic pods- 5-6 pods
Curry leaves a few
Chilly powder- 3/4 tsp
Coriander powder-1 1/2 tsp
Turmeric powder- a pinch
Coarsely grounded pepper- 3/4 tsp



Making the paste
Heat oil in a pan and add fenugreek seeds and fennel seeds. Roast for a minute and then add coconut,sliced ginger,sliced shallots,whole garlic,curry leaves and saute in medium flame till the coconut turns brown. Add chilly powder,turmeric powder,pepper powder and coriander powder and slightly roast till the raw flavor disappears. Allow this to cool and grind into a fine paste.

To clean the crab
 In the back side of the crab,you will find a flap. Using a knife pull open the flap, Grabbing to the flap push open with the help of the knife and lift off the top shell. Remove the yellow layer the gills that you find under the shell.Break off the smaller swimming legs. Nicely wash the top membrane clean and slit lengthwise through the center.

Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds and when they splutter add curry leaves and chopped onion. Saute till it turns golden brown and add ginger garlic and green chilly paste. Saute till the raw flavor disappears. Add pepper powder and turmeric and saute. Add the cleaned crab and kudampuli(or use tamarind) and sprinkle a little water. It will shed its own water and cook.Cover and cook for about four to five minutes.Now add the ground paste and simmer for another three minute or till the gravy thickens. Add a few fresh curry leaves and switch off the flame.

Try this,
Hope you will all enjoy.

Comments

  1. Slurrp ..slurrp.. I want to eat it now..
    Never made it at home..will try with your recipe.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I should not let my hubby see this. he loves this like anything and I seldom make this. you just nailed the recipe.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Simply Yummy looking crab curry. Take a bow Suja.
    Deepa

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love crab, too, though it's definitely a once in a while thing. This looks so good!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love crab, too, though it's definitely a once and awhile thing. This looks so good!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Awesome ,delectable & delicious curry..Loved it,Suja:-)

    Ongoing Events at(Erivum Puliyum)-
    1. The Kerala Kitchen(June'12)

    2.EP Series-Basil OR Cardamom

    ReplyDelete
  7. WoW!! I always looked out for good crab curry recipe....Bookmarked this one.....mouth watering pic by the way!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Delicious crab curry Suja, Adipoli.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Looks so fresh,delicious nandu curry.

    ReplyDelete
  10. pic shows how much tasty the dish.wonderful....

    ReplyDelete
  11. This looks like the curry made at my home. Lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Super ketto...Vaayayil vellam vannu...

    ReplyDelete
  13. Yummy, this is one of my fav dish Suja. Very well made, Can feel the aroma and taste :-)

    On Going Event EP Series Basil or Cardamom @Cook-Ezee

    ReplyDelete
  14. Had crab only once or twice. Your version looks so good Suja. Got to try it !!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Looks gorgeous and yummy!!

    http://aromaticdining.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  16. Truly yummy and delicious.It's been long I had exotic crabs..You made me remember as always..!

    ReplyDelete
  17. wow........awesome n tempting...hungry now:)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Our family fav..kanditte vayil kappalodikkan vellam.........yummmmmmmmm

    ReplyDelete
  19. hi suja, this is perfect. iave been looking at crab curry recipes, but none. yours look so delicious. bookmarked with thanks. have a nice day

    ReplyDelete
  20. Craving this for my sunday lunch! yumm..

    ReplyDelete
  21. This looks super yummy! I love the way you make your recipes!!
    http://cosmopolitancurrymania.blogspot.hk/

    ReplyDelete
  22. You made me drool early in the morning :) Super tempting!

    ReplyDelete
  23. delicious crab curry we add roasted uncooked rice to the grinding mixture

    ReplyDelete
  24. My fav one as a child,looks delicious.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

12 Best Traditional Kerala Snacks - Tea Time Snacks

 12 Best Traditional Kerala Snacks - Tea Time Snacks  Are you looking for some light bites to indulge during tea time? Well, you have come to the right place. Kerala cuisine has an exhaustive list of traditional tea-time snacks.  The list of ingredients is available in your pantry, making it possible to make these delicious snacks. Many of these snacks, can be quickly whipped up with rice flour, coconut, and jaggery. I am sharing a list of snack recommendations from Kerala that are easy to cook at home. These sweet and savory snacks are heartwarming and will make you nostalgic. It is by no means is a complete list. I am sharing some of the top picks of this blog in one space for easy reference. If you like to try, more recipes check my earlier post on 10 Quick and Easy Kerala Snacks/ Tea time snacks that you can make in under 20 minutes . Do you have any favorite snack that is simple and easy to make? I would love to hear about your favorite traditional snacks. Please share your idea

10 Quick and Easy Kerala Snacks/ Tea time snacks

Do you often look for snack ideas? I like to try new snack recipes. Freshly homemade, tea time snacks appeals to all ages. There are comfort and joy in munching a delicious sweet or savory deep-fried snack with hot piping tea. Some recipes make you nostalgic, and we keep coming back to it time and again. Kerala has an exhaustive list of traditional tea-time snacks. You never get tired of eating them! So here is a list of family favorites. Today I am sharing a collection of 10 easy to make snacks that you can make under 20 minutes . Do you have any favorite snack that is simple and easy to make? Please share your ideas, leave me a comment below Want to try more Kerala snacks, check my post 12 Best Traditional Kerala Snacks - Tea Time Snacks  Pazham Pori- Crispy Fried Sweet Plantain Pazham pori is a quick and easy tea time snack. It is made with ripe sweet plantains dipped in a batter and then deep-fried in coconut oil to crispy golden. Ingredients Ripe plantains - 3 medium Maida-1 1/

Fish Fried Rice

This is a delicious and easy  fried rice made with fish. It is a healthy and quick lunch box fix. This is inspired by a Thai fish rice which I read in a magazine. The original recipe makes use of salted fish and chicken to make fried rice. But here I have used only fish (unsalted).The first time I tried this recipe I used stir fry method to cook fish and the result was somewhat scrambled fish. So to avoid it I  marinated the fish and fried it before combining with rice. You can also add carrots, cabbage,bok choy or any veggies of your choice. Ingredients Fish Boneless- 3/4 lb (I used King Fish) Cooked Rice- 3 cups Onion - 1 medium Spring onions - a little Capsicum - 1 cup Celery- 1/2 cup Soya sauce- 2 tsp Fish sauce- a few drops(optional) Chilly sauce- 1 tsp Oyster sauce- 1/2 tsp ( optional) Carrot- 1 small Ginger- 1inch thick Garlic- 3-4  pepper powder- 1/2  tsp corn starch- 1 tsp oil Cut fish into small pieces. Marinate it for 10 minutes with soya sauce and h