By Nandini Bhushan
The coastal State of Goa is a popular tourist destination known for the sun, sand, beach and good food. Hindus, Muslims and Christians are the three major communities of Goa that contribute to its culinary culture. The Goan food indeed is a contrasting influence of its rich history and legacy that is mainly inspired by Indian and Portuguese influences with an exciting blend of the East and the west. Let’s look into the Goan cuisine to know about the fun-loving land.
Also try: Indian Food Recipes: Suran Fodi
Goan Crab Curry
The amazing Goan-style crab curry is a delicious recipe made with spices that pair up perfectly with plain steamed rice or Goan pao. The coconut gravy when combined with the flavours of crab results in one of the most flavoursome curries that taste best when soaked with the Goan pao.
Ingredients
Serves 5 people
Crabs: 1 kg
Onions: 2
Tomato: 1
Garlic cloves: 15
Ginger grated: 1 tsp
Grated coconut: 1 cup
Tamarind paste: 1 tsp
Kashmiri red chillies: 6
Cumin seed: 1 ½ tsp
Coriander seed: 3 tsp
Peppercorn: 2 tsp
Fennel seed: 1 tsp
Cinnamon stick: 1
Green cardamom: 2
Javitri: 1
Turmeric powder: ½ tsp
Oil: 3 tsp
Salt to taste
Step 1
Cut and wash the crab. Marinate with salt and turmeric powder. Keep it aside.
Step 2
Heat a spoonful of oil in a pan. To this add one sliced onion and saute it till golden brown. Next, add the ginger and garlic. Red chilli, coriander seed, Cumin seed, peppercorn, fennel seed, green cardamom, cinnamon and javitri. Saute them all together for a couple of minutes on low heat.
Step 3
Mix the grated coconut and saute till the coconut changes its colour. Switch off the flame.
Step 4
Add the tamarind paste and grind the masala into a smooth paste.
Step 5
Heat the remaining oil in a thick bottom pan. Add the sliced onion and saute it till translucent. Add the tomatoes and cook until soft.
Step 6
To this add the ground masala paste, turmeric powder and salt and saute for about five minutes till the oil leaves the side of the pan.
Step 7
Finally, put the cleaned crab and let it cook with the masala for about ten to twelve minutes on medium heat. Add the required amount of water and cook for another five minutes without the lid on low flame. Once the gravy reaches the desired consistency, switch off the flame.
Step 8
Garnish with coriander leaves and serve the Goan crab curry with pao, bread or plain steamed rice.
