This Crab Pepper Masala is AMAZING! with layers of flavor that you will be obsessed with. The freshly ground pepper masala gives you an earthy, mesmerizing taste with the right punch of heat.
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What is crab pepper Masala:
Crab pepper masala is a simple, homestyle crab fry, we call “Nadu Varuval”. They are relatively simple to prepare, extremely flavourful and the pepper masala perfectly pairs with crab, that meld well with intricate flavors that does all the heavy lifting to this Chettinad crab.
Making crab pepper masala can’t be easier than this or more delicious.
The key ingredients for the pepper masala are very simple and pantry friendly, like peppercorns, fennels seeds, cumin seeds, garlic, and turmeric powder.
It is super comforting, spicy, that will warm you from the inside out.
This Crab recipe is so easy to make, if you are the one who cooks crab for the very first time, I’m telling you, you can never go wrong with this recipe!
This crab pepper masala makes enough to satisfy the crowd and perfect for you to entertaining.
Reason to Love this Chettinad Crab:
Delicious: They are tasteful, the crowd favorite, juicer, the crab cooks perfectly tender, the juice of the crab and masala brings you the greatest flavor, in simple words I must say it is super addictive.
Its for year-around: You never need a special occasion to make a crab fry, you can make this recipe year-round. You don’t need special ingredients to wait for the available ingredients to make it. It is simple and straightforward.
Spice level: If you’re worried about the spice level, you can control the heat as per your preference.
How to make Crab Pepper Masala :
Tips to make the best Crab Pepper Masala/Nandu Varuval:
- Crab: You can use any crab here, whatever easiest or most economical for you. Fresh crab has more flavor which gives you better Crab pepper masala. Look for blue crabs is generally considered to be the best tasting.
- Peppercorns: The dominant spice is peppercorns, you may use less or more as your preference.
- Fennel seeds: This one humble ingredient pairs extremely well with. Crab gives you more flavor & tastes this recipe.
- Oil: I have you used cold-pressed sesame oil, you can use any oil as per your taste.
- Garlic: I have taken 10 garlic pods that blend well with the masala gives you extra-ordinary flavors.
- Grind the spice: You need to gound the spice first in the blender before you add onion and tomato, that helps in easy blending.
FAQS:
1.HOW DO YOU SERVE CRAB FRY?
This Chettinad crab fry can be served with rice, roti, idly, dosa, or appam.
2. HOW LONG CAN I KEEP THIS NANDU VARUVAL?
Properly stored crab masala in an air-tight container can be refrigerated for 2 to 3 days.
Other Recipes you may like to try:
Authentic indian Prawn curry Recipe
Quick and Easy Fish Curry Recipe
Chettinad vanjaram /Seer Fish Fry
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PrintCrab Pepper Masala
This Crab Pepper Masala is AMAZING! with layers of flavor that you will be obsessed with. The freshly ground pepper masala gives you an earthy, mesmerizing taste with the right punch of heat.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Maincourse
- Method: stovetop
- Cuisine: indian
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
- 1 kg crab
Ingredients to Grind:
- 2 tablespoon peppercorns
- 1 tablespoon fennel seeds
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 10 garlic pods
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 3 tomato
- 2 onion
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
To make crab pepper masala :
- 2 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 2 sprigs curry leaves
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Kashmir red chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper powder
To garnish
- 1 sprig of coriander leaves.
Instructions
- Wash and clean the crabs.
Let’s make a ground pepper masala:
- To a blender add peppercorns, fennel seeds, turmeric powder, garlic, cumin seeds, Pulse for a couple of times to grind the spices.
- Then Add Diced tomato, onion, chili powder, and salt to the same blender, Pulse the onion and tomato to a fine puree( you can add 1 or 2 tbs of water for easy grinding). Pepper masala has ready now.
Let’s make crab pepper masala:
- To a deep saucepan or Kadai add sesame oil, once the oil heats up, add cumin seeds and 2 sprigs of curry leaves. Let the flavors of the curry leaves get infused in the oil.
- In goes the ground pepper masala. Bring down the heat, cover with the lid, cook the masala for 10 minutes stirring occasionally. The raw smell of the pepper masala has to disappear. The color change has to change from light to dark and you can see a thin glaze of oil on the sides of the pan. It is a sign the pepper masala has been well cooked.
- once the masala has cooked, add chili powder, Kashmir chili powder, and pepper powder. Stir and cook again for 5 to 6 minutes. Make sure the spices do not stick to the bottom of the pan.
- Finally, Add the washed crab, Stir and mix the masala to the crab. Check for the salt.
- Add water and allow the crab to cook. It takes around 15 minutes. The masala has to coat the crab, that is the right consistency to turn off the heat.
- Sprinkle chopped coriander leaves and serve.
Notes
Crab: You can use any crab here, whatever easiest or most economical for you. Fresh crab has more flavor which gives you better Crab pepper masala. Look for blue crabs is generally considered to be the best tasting.
Peppercorns: The dominant spice is peppercorns, you may use less or more as your preference.
Fennel seeds: This one humble ingredient pairs extremely well with. Crab gives you more flavor & tastes this recipe.
Oil: I have you used cold-pressed sesame oil, you can use any oil as per your taste.
Garlic: I have taken 10 garlic pods that blend well with the masala.
Grind the spice: You need to gound the spice first in the blender before you add onion and tomato, that helps in easy blending.
Keywords: crab pepper masala,chettinad crab, nandu varuval
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