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Shahi Crab
🇮🇳 Indian

Shahi Crab

🇮🇳 Indian

Restaurant-style Crab Shahi built the proper way: slow-cooked onions, toasted spices and a gravy that clings to every piece of crab. 45 minutes of mostly hands-off cooking.

Prep 15 min Cook 30 min Serves 4 Medium

Ingredients

  • Ginger Garlic Paste1 tbsp
  • Garam Masala1/2 tsp
  • Heavy Cream4 tbsp
  • Saltto taste
  • Onion1 large, finely chopped
  • Tomato2, finely chopped
  • Cumin Seeds1 tsp
  • Ghee2 tbsp
  • Turmeric Powder1/2 tsp
  • Saffrona pinch
  • Cashews3 tbsp
  • Ground Coriander1 tsp
  • Red Chili Powder1 tsp
  • Crab1 whole, cleaned

Optional extras

  • Fresh Cilantrohandful, to finish
  • Green Cardamom2, crushed

Instructions

  1. 1

    Heat the ghee in a heavy kadhai over medium heat until it shimmers.

  2. 2

    Crackle the cumin seeds for a few seconds until they turn a shade darker and smell nutty.

  3. 3

    Add the chopped onion and fry until deep golden, 6-8 minutes — this colour is the backbone of the gravy.

  4. 4

    Stir in the ginger garlic paste and cook until the raw smell disappears, about a minute.

  5. 5

    Tip in the turmeric, red chili powder, ground coriander and tomatoes; bhunao the masala, stirring often, until the oil separates at the edges.

  6. 6

    Add the crab and turn every piece through the masala, then pour in a cup of hot water; cover and simmer until perfectly tender, 25-30 minutes.

  7. 7

    Season with salt, garam masala and reduce to the consistency you like.

  8. 8

    Take it off the heat and finish with a swirl of cream and a crush of kasuri methi between your palms.

Chef's tip

Bhunao patiently — the moment the oil separates from the masala is when the real flavour begins.

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Watch how it's made

Video: Shahi Crab Curry With Honey.......🦀🍛🍯 · on YouTube