Nandu Perathal @ Crab Masala

Me and my mum  were at the fish market in Al Khor where I live currently...  Found some lovely fresh looking crab...still dancing alive...

So whats next,we bought 2kilos of it and with a few more types of fresh fist from the market and headed home straight to the kitchen....

A gala day at the kitchen with the crabs and fishes...Lets see at the nandu perathal aka crab masala my mother's way....

Crab Masala
source : my mother's...

What you require...
2kilos of crabs
3 big onions - quartered
3-4 big onions - sliced finely
1/4 cup of ginger/garlic paste
3 chilies - slit into half
sprigs of curry leaves
2 pieces of cinnamon
4-5 cardamons
1 tsp of fennel seeds
1 tsp cumin seeds
4 - 5 pieces of aniseeds
3 -4 pieces of cloves
5-6 tbs of meat currypowder (the amount depends on the spiciness required)
salt to taste
coriander leaves - chopped (optional)

How to do....

1. Clean the crabs and cut into 2.
2. Mix the crabs with ginger/garlic paste and leave aside.
3. Heat oil in a wok/pan. 
4. Once the oil is hot, saute cinnamons, cardamons, aniseeds, cloves, cumins and fennels till aromatic.
5. Add in the onions, chillies and tomatoes and saute till the onions are soft. 
6. Add in the curry leaves and crabs and mix well.
7. Cook till the crabs are done.
8. Mix curry powder into a paste and add into the crab.  Stir well so that the paste and the crabs are coated well.
9. Cook to desired gravy level.
10. Serve hot with rice.