Thursday, September 20, 2012

Crab and prawns medley


I do not have a better name for it.. I have my hands full, - with my daughter's Ist quarterly exams, a website in progress, a couple of custom jewelry orders, and teaching 3-D murals to a student who is so nice, I feel like thanking her for coming to learn !!

But ... we still have to eat ... and I got some fresh crabs and prawns all on the same day!! Hubby wont eat the crabs, and I can NOT have them !!! And i did not have enough time to make different preparations... to my way of thinking, they came from the same place, and were going to the same place.. so I just decided to make them together ..

The result was what my husband called in his words, - 'Restaurant quality ' ..high praise indeed !! So how can I not post this ????



Crabs - 500 gms
Prawns - 500 gms

All cleaned, de-veined,

Marinate the crabs and prawns in for 15 minutes

Chilly powder - 1tsp (or less)
Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
Oil - Sunflower/olive/coconut oil - 1/2 tsp
Garlic paste - 1 tsp (freshly crushed is great)
Lemon juice - 1/2 tsp

Do not add salt to the marinade because it will draw out all the moisture and freshness. Next,

Onion  - 1 large , ( chopped into cubes)
Green chillies - 2 slit
Curry leaves - 1 stalk
Tomato - 1 large (cut into cubes)
Cumin powder - 1/2 tsp
Pepper powder - 1/2 tsp
Coriander leaves - optional
Salt to taste.

Now in a wok, add 1 tbs oil , same as the one used to marinate. Saute the onions,  then the green chillies and curry leaves till the onions go golden.

Add the cumin powder and fry it a minute. Now add the prawns and crab with the marinade and toss in the chopped tomatoes.
Add about 1/2 tsp of salt now.
Lid on, and cook, for about 12-15 minutes stirring just about twice in between.

The prawns should be red , the crab shells should change color and tomatoes gone soft and mushy . If oil starts bubbling up, it is time to get it off the stove. Add more salt now, if needed.

Garnish with coriander leaves, some pepper and maybe a few drops of lemon juice.