Karaikudi Style Crab masala

If you like crabs, I would say this is a must try recipe.. Its really yummy....

Crab - 1 kg
onion - 1 chopped fine
tomato - 1 chopped fine
ginger and garlic - finely chopped - 1 tsp each

whole garam masala - 2 pieces of each
turmeric powder - 1 tsp
chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
coriander powder - 2 tsp
curry leaves - a sprig
tamarind - pulp from a small gooseberry size
oil
salt to taste


To grind:
coconut - 1/2 cup
cumin - 1 tsp
fennel seeds - 1 tsp
pepper corns - 2 tsp
kas kas - 1 tsp

Clean and cut the crabs.
Heat oil, add whole garam masala, curry leaves, ginger, garlic and onion.
Saute well. Add tomato and saute nicely.
Add turmeric,chilli and coriander powder and saute very well.
Now add the crab pieces and saute for a couple of minutes.
Add 1 cup of water and let it cook for 5 to 8 minutes.
Add tamarind pulp and cook for a couple of minutes.
Now add the ground coconut paste and simmer for 10 minutes.
Done.enjoy!!!

Chicken Stew

Chicken - 1/2 kg
potato - 2 nos medium size

coconut milk - 1st and 2nd milk extracted from 1/2 of a coconut grated

green chilli - 3 or 4
ginger - a small piece
garlic- 3 or 4[according to your spice level]
onion - 1
whole garam masala - 2 or 3 pieces of each
curry leaves - a sprig
oil
salt to taste

Heat a couple of tablespoon of oil in a pan.
Add whole garam masala followed by curry leaves.
Add sliced ginger,garlic, green chilli and onion and saute nicely.
Now add the cubed potato pieces and saute for a minute.
Now add the chicken pieces and saute for a couple of minutes.
Add the 2nd coconut milk and salt. Add more water if required.
Let it cook for 15 minutes or pressure cook for 2 whistles.
Now open the pan add 1st coconut milk and simmer for 2 minutes.
Done. Serve hot with palappam,vallappam or idiappam.

Chicken Kurma

 Chicken kurma is a coconut based gravy dish which will go well with ghee rice,appam,idiyappam etc.

Chicken - 1 lb or 1/2 kg
whole garam masala - 2 or 3 pieces of each
onion - 2 chopped
ginger and garlic - 1 tbsp (crushed or paste)
green chilly - 2 or 3 (add according to your spice level)
curry leaves - 2 sprigs
coconut grated - 1 cup
cashew nuts - about 15
coriander powder - 1 tsp
pepper powder - 1/2 tsp
curd - 1/4 cup
oil - 2 tbsp
mustard seeds
salt to taste

Grind coconut and cashew nuts into a fine paste.
Heat oil, add the whole garam masala followed by mustard seeds.
When it splutters, add curry leaves, onion, green chillies,  ginger and garlic. Saute until slightly browned.
Add cut up chicken and saute for a couple of minutes.
Add coconut paste, followed by coriander powder, pepper powder and curd. Mix well.
Now add salt to taste. Add a cup or so of  water also.
Cook for about 20 minutes until chicken is cooked and gravy thickens.
Done.

Almost Goan Style Fish Curry

Fish of your choice - 1 lb or 1/2 kg


coconut grated - 1 to 1 1/2 cup
small onion - 1/2 cup
ginger - 1 inch piece
garlic - 3 or 4
turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
chilli powder - 1/2 to 1 tsp
coriander powder - 1 tsp
cumin seeds - 1 tsp
tamarind - a small gooseberry size

oil
mustard
curry leaves
salt to taste

Clean and cut fish.
Grind together coconut ,small onion, ginger, garlic, turmeric powder, chilli powder, coriander powder, cumin seeds and tamarind.
Heat 2 tbsp of oil, splutter mustard, add curry leaves.
Add the ground paste and a little water, add salt and let it boil nicely.
Now add the fish and let them cook in it for about 10 to 15 minutes.
Done.

Crab Masala from India

This is the  crab masala straight from my mother in law's kitchen.
Recipe is already in the blog.

Crab Masala

Crab is a good source of Vitamin C,Vitamin B12, protein,Iron,Zinc,Selenium etc.

At the same time it has high cholesterol and sodium. So enjoy in moderation.

In the below recipe i have used soft shell crabs. But the same works for other types as well.

Ingredients:

Crab: 4

onion -1 large

tomato - 2 medium

ginger - 1/2 inch piece

garlic - 2 or 3 cloves

turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp

chilli powder - 1/4 tsp

pepper powder - 1/2 to 1 tsp as hot as you like.

coconut milk -1/2 cup

oil - 1 to 2 tbsp

mustard - 1 tsp

salt to taste

Method:

Wash and clean the crab and cut into 2 or 4 as you like it to be.

Heat oil, splutter mustard.

Add ginger, garlic, onion and saute well.

Then add turmeric powder, chilli powder and salt ans saute for another 2 minutes.

Add crab and mix and close and cook for 5 minutes.

Then add pepper powder and add a little water if desired.

Let it cook for another 5 minutes.

Then add coconut milk, adjust seasoning and simmer for 5 minutes.

Done.

Cheese Cake

Cream cheese (softened) - 4 packet [ I used Philadelphia cream cheese 8 oz pkg]
egg - 4
sugar - 1 cup
vanilla extract - 1 tsp
Oreo cookies - 24

Preheat oven to 350 degree F.
Take cream cheese,sugar and vanilla extract and beat until well blended.
Add eggs and blend until its just mixed.
Crush the Oreo cookies and add a couple of tablespoons of butter.
Place the crushed cookies in the bottom of the baking pan , level it and pack it down.
Pour the blended mixture over it.
Bake for about 30 to 40 minutes. It will be set but the center will be slightly wobbly.
Cool and refrigerate for 3 hours.
Top it with fresh cream or fruits and enjoy!