Varutharacha Njandu Curry / Crab Curry with Roasted Coconut

Ingredients:

5 crabs, cut into pieces

1 1/2 cup grated coconut

1 tbsp coriander powder

1/2 tsp garam masala

1 tbsp chilli powder

1/2 tsp turmeric powder

3 shallots

1 large tomato, chopped

2 slit green chillies

1" piece ginger, finely chopped

tamarind (half lemon size)

3 sprigs curry leaves

1 tbsp coriander leaves

salt

For Seasoning:

1/2 tsp mustard seeds

4 shallots, chopped

2 garlic cloves

1 sprig curry leaves

oil

Preparation:

1. Clean and cut crabs into pieces. Soak tamarind in 1/2 cup water and keep it aside.
2. Heat a pan, add grated coconut along with shallots and curry leaves and dry roast till brown. Switch off and add coriander powder and garam masala and mix well. Grind it to a fine paste adding little water and keep it aside.
3. In a clay pot or pan, add tomato, green chillies, ginger chopped, chilly powder, turmeric powder and tamarind extract or water.
4. Add cleaned crab pieces and salt, mix well and cook on medium flame for about 6-8 minutes.
5. Add ground coconut mixture and 1 1/2 cup water and mix well. Check salt and allow it to boil.
6. Cook it for about 5 minutes on medium flame or till the gravy thickens. Remove from flame.
7. Heat oil in a pan, splutter mustard seeds. Add chopped shallots ,garlic and curry leaves, stir well and add this seasoning to the curry. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot....