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.