Crab / Njandu Perattu

Ingredients:

1 kg crabs

3 medium onions, chopped

2-3 green chillies, chopped

1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste

1/2 tsp turmeric powder

2 1/2 - 3 tbsp kashmiri chilli powder

1 1/2 tbsp coriander powder

gooseberry sized tamarind

1 tomato, sliced

3/4-1 tbsp pepper powder

1 tsp garam masala

2 sprig curry leaves

4-5 pepper corns

1/2 tsp fennel seeds

3 cloves

salt to taste

3 tbsp coconut oil

Preparation:

1. Cut the crabs into pieces, clean it and keep it aside.
2. Soak tamarind in little water, extract its juice and keep it aside.
3. Heat coconut oil in a large pan / kadai and add pepper corns, fennel seeds and cloves.
4. Add chopped onions and green chillies and saute well.
5. Add ginger-garlic paste and saute for 2 minutes.
6. Add turmeric powder, kashmiri chilli powder and coriander powder and saute till the raw smell goes.
7. Add sliced tomato and saute well till soft.
8. Add tamarind water and 1/4 cup of water into this, mix well and cook well till the gravy thickens.
9. Then add cleaned crabs and salt , mix well and cook covered for 4-5 minutes at medium flame.
10. Now add pepper powder and garam masala and mix well and cook covered till done.
11. Add 1 tbsp coconut oil and curry leaves and mix well till the masala is well coated with crab pieces.
12. Switch off the flame and serve hot...