Crab Masala: Bengali Style Curry

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Crab masala is a special recipe to cook crabs in Bengali style. It is a typical Indian curry with lots of zingy spices and fair amount of oil. Like most Bengali recipes even crab masala is cooked with mustard. The flavour of mustard oil adds a special Bong touch to crab masala. This crap recipe makes use of most of the Indian curry spices like garam masala, cumin etc.

Crab is treated like a sea fish while cooking. However, this crab recipe doesn't require you to shell the crabs completely. For making crab masala, you only need to break open the shell a little so that the gravy can seep in.

Serves: 4

Preparation Time: 1 hour

Cooking Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

• Crabs- 8
• Turmeric power- 1tbsp
• Lemon Juice- 2tbsp
• Mustard Oil- 4tbsp
• Onions- 2 (chopped)
• Ginger-garlic paste- 2tbsp
• Ridge gourd or Jhinge- 1 (chopped)
• Green chillies- 4
• Mustard seeds- 1/2tsp
• Cumin seeds- 1tsp
• Tomatoes- 2 (chopped)
• Red chilli powder- 1tbsp
• Garam masala- 1tsp
• Salt- as per taste

Procedure

1. Break the shells of the crabs with the help of your rolling pin or any other heavy object.

2. Marinate the crabs with some turmeric, salt and lemon juice. Leave it for half an hour.

3. Heat water in a huge pan and when it bubbles, add the crabs to the pan. Let it boil for 10 minutes on a low flame.

4. Drain the water and keep the crabs aside for the time being.

5. Heat oil in a deep bottomed pan. Deep fry the crabs in the oil for at least 10 minutes. The crabs need to turn crisp and red before you proceed.

6. Now add mustard seeds and cumin seeds to the remaining oil the deep bottomed pan.

7. When the mustard seeds pop, add the onions to the pan. Saute on low flame till they turn brown.

8. Add green chillies and ginger garlic paste to the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes on a low flame.

9. Then add tomatoes and chopped ridge gourd pieces. Ridge gourd adds viscosity to the curry.

10. Sprinkle salt and let it cook for 3-4 minutes on low flame. Then add the powdered spices namely red chilli power, garam masala powder and a bit of turmeric.

11. Saute the masala and add 2 cups of water to it. Drop the fried crabs into the pan. Cover and cook for 10 minutes on a low flame.

This Bengali style Crab masala is best savoured with rice.