Crab Varuval

Ingredients

• 1/2 kg crab, cleaned (நண்டு)
• 2 onions, chopped (வெங்காயம்)
• 2 tomatoes, chopped (தக்காளி)
• 2 tsp ginger-garlic paste (இஞ்சி பூண்டு விழுது)
• 1 tsp fennel seeds (சோம்பு)
• a little turmeric powder (மஞ்சள் தூள்)
• 2 tsp red chilli powder (மிளகாய்த்தூள்)
• as needed salt, curry leaves (உப்பு, கறிவேப்பிலை)
• 2 tsp coconut oil (தேங்காய் எண்ணெய்)

Method

1. Remove the crab shells, wash and clean; cook right away, since cleaned crab left standing loses flavour.
2. Heat oil, temper fennel and curry leaves, then saute ginger-garlic paste, onion and tomato in turn.
3. Add turmeric, chilli powder, salt and a little water and boil until the masala is cooked.
4. Add the crab, toss well, cover and cook on medium heat about 15 minutes.
5. When dry and roasted, sprinkle more curry leaves and serve.

Adapted from பேலியோ ஆரோக்கிய சமையல் (Paleo Arokkiya Samaiyal) by Rtn Kannan Azhagirisamy, page 13. Method rewritten in our own words; ingredient quantities follow the book, with gram weights estimated for the nutrition figures. The book thanks the Arokkiya Unavugal (Healthy Foods) Facebook group and tamilpaleorecipes.com.