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by Monika

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Spicy Sri Lankan Crab Curry Recipe

One of my favorite food, while I was in Sri Lanka last year, was the Sri Lankan Crab Curry and here is a recipe that I got from a local while I was there. Spicy and full of flavor it is turning out to be the favorite way to eat crabs in our household.

Last year this day I was in Sri Lanka on a solo trip. It wasn’t my first solo trip, but it was probably the best. One of the warmest country I visited with the best food ever.  I ate a lot while I was in Sri Lanka would be an understatement. And while many things won my heart, the Sri Lankan Crab Curry made a firm place there.

Jaffna Crab Curry

One of the reasons for this could be the fact that Sri Lankan mud crabs are really the best. I haven’t tasted such sweet tasting crabs ever before and after that honestly. So ideally I should have left this taste behind in Sri Lanka but then heart and mind always don’t talk the same language. So I bugged my tuktuk driver’s wife for the recipe of Sri Lankan crab curry while I cooked with her.

Sri Lankan Crab Curry

I have come back and made it multiple times, of course the crabs aren’t as tasty but the curry is so damn comforting. It reminds me of Sri Lanka in the warmest possible way. With all the pictures of Sri Lanka coming up in my timehop and FB memories, I thought sharing of this Sri Lankan Crab Curry on the blog was apt right now. Because if I cannot go visit that country right now, at least I can share it’s food with you all.

Easy Crab Curry

If you make this, share a picture with me on twitter, instagram or Facebook? I would love to hear what you have to say about it!

Easy Crab Curry

Spicy Sri Lankan Crab Curry Recipe

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Main Course, Main Dish
Cuisine Sri Lankan

Ingredients
  

  • 1/4 cup freshly grated coconut
  • 1 inch ginger minced
  • 6-8 cloves garlic
  • 1/2 onion chopped
  • 1 tbsp curry powder recipe below
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper increase if you want more spicy
  • 2 tsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp tamarind paste
  • 1 sprig curry leaves
  • 1 - 2 pandan leaves I used dried
  • 2 - 3 green chillies slit into half
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 5 - 6 Crabs Cleaned and chopped
  • 2 tsp coconut oil
  • Salt to taste

For the curry powder

  • 4 tsp coriander seeds
  • 3 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
  • 6-7 black pepper corns
  • 1 tsp fennel seeds

Instructions
 

  • Finely grind all the spices in a spice grinder or mixer and set aside.
  • Grind grated coconut to a smooth paste. Set aside
  • Heat 2 tbsp of coconut oil in a large kadai (I use my longpi pot for this). Add the onion, ginger, garlic and saute until the onions have softened.
  • Now the 1 ½ tbsp of the freshly ground curry powder (of from before if you have), cayenne pepper and grated coconut. Saute for 3-4 minutes till the spices are fragant.
  • Add the tamarind paste, sugar, chilies, curry leaves, pandan leaves and 1/2 cup of coconut milk. Bring to a boil.
  • At this point, add salt and crabs. The curry wil be very thick so mix so that it is coating crabs and cook for 5 minutes.
  • Add the rest of the coconut milk, some water to achieve the gravy consistency. Lower the heat, cover and cook till the crabs are fully cooked. This will take about 10 minutes or so.
  • Turn off the gas, add chopped coriander leaves or if you have handy a little drumstick leaves. Cover and let it rest for 10 minutes. Serve with steamed rice.

Notes

The ground Sri Lankan curry powder can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for about 10 days. It tastes great added in just about anything. I use it in chicken curries or even sprinkled in sabjis.
The drumstick leaves as a garnish is a very interesting thing I haven't seen anywhere else and adds a great flavour to it. So if you have access, do add them for sure.
 
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Asia// Fish And SeaFood// Kid-Friendly// Mains// Sea Food Mains// Travel Tales3 Comments

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Comments

  1. Anindya Sundar Basu says

    August 9, 2018 at 3:15 am

    Never been that much of a fan of crab curry but this is something which I would like to try, I am aiming a Sri Lanka visit soon. FIngers crossed

    Reply
    • monika says

      August 23, 2018 at 3:54 pm

      Sri Lanka is beautiful. You must plan a visit soon

      Reply
  2. Meera says

    November 12, 2020 at 6:34 pm

    Do you buy frozen or live crab

    Reply

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About the Author

Monika is an ex-IT person turned into a food blogger, consultant, home baker and an amateur food photographer. She loves music, writing, food, and travel, but not necessarily in that order ;)

Sin-A-Mon Tales is a canvas for her food memories. Apart from Sin -A- Mon Tales, Monika also writes for many online websites and publications. She's an avid reader and can always be found with a book in her bag, which mostly is as bright as her. She's an obsessive traveler and is always looking for the next food story. Read More…

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