Toddy Shop Crab Roast: A Flavorful Delight Among Kerala Recipes From Kerala’s Local Taverns
Crab lovers, rejoice! Toddy Shop Crab Roast is an iconic dish that holds a special place in Kerala’s vibrant culinary heritage. Known locally as “Shappu Meen Curry”, this crab version elevates the toddy shop experience to a whole new level. This spicy, rich, and aromatic dish is a crowd-pleaser for those seeking an authentic Kerala seafood experience.
Origin of Toddy Shop Cuisine
Kerala’s toddy shops (locally known as “kallu shappu”) are renowned for their delicious, rustic food, particularly seafood dishes. These simple eateries serve the local palm wine (toddy) alongside a selection of fiery curries and roasts. This dish embodies this tradition, combining fresh crab with an explosion of flavors like black pepper, curry leaves, and roasted spices.
Why Toddy Shop Crab Roast Stands Out
The dish stands out for its distinct spiciness and intense flavors, which come from freshly ground spices and generous use of red chilies. The succulent crab meat absorbs the deep, smoky flavors, making it a unique delicacy. Unlike milder preparations, the toddy shop version is bold and packs a punch, often served with traditional accompaniments like kappa (tapioca) or rice.
Pairing Crab Roast with Kerala’s Toddy
The appeal of the dish is heightened when paired with locally brewed toddy. The subtle sweetness of toddy complements the spiciness of the roast, creating a balanced flavor profile that delights the senses. This pairing is a must-try for seafood enthusiasts exploring Kerala’s culinary landscape.
Perfect for Seafood Enthusiasts
Whether you’re a local or a tourist, Toddy Shop Crab Roast offers a taste of Kerala’s rustic charm. Its authentic, robust flavors make it a must-try dish for anyone seeking to explore the diverse seafood traditions of the region.
Toddy Shop Crab Roast
Ingredients
- 1- 1.3 Kg Crab 6 Nos
- 4 Tsp Chilly powder
- 4 Tsp Coriander Powder
- 5 Nos. Garlic cloves Chopped, big
- 1 Inch Ginger Sliced long
- 400 g Onion Cut into long slices
- 4-5 Tsp Pepper powder
- 1 Tsp Meat masala
- 4-5 Nos. Tomato chopped
- Few Curry leaves
- 3 Nos. Green chillies Cut into halves lengthwise
- 6 Tsp. Oil
- As reqd Salt
Instructions
- Some Thoughts ---------------------
- It tastes better if we can cut crab into halves from center and detach the 2 legs. Get the crab cleaned properly. Put it in salt water + turmeric for 10 minutes to clean. I have tasted Crab from lots of seafood restaurants. Believe me, you can make this by yourselves which tastes much much better. The essence of the taste comes from the combination of pepper+crab juice+ tomato
- The cooking is done in two stages. 1- Baking 2- Roasting.
Stage 1 - Cooking The Crab
Stage 2 - Roasting:-
- Heat 4 tsp of oil in a non stick pan.
- After 5 seconds add the sliced chillies and sliced onions.
- Stir well, for approximately a minute.
- Add sliced tomatoes to it and stir well.
- After 1-2 minutes the tomato gets cooked.
- Add salt, chilli powder, coriander powder, meat masala & 2 tsp oil. Stir well for 4-5 minutes.
- Add some salt to taste.
- Now the gravy becomes somewhat consistent. Add 3 tsp pepper powder and stir.
- Break the cooked crab shell a bit, don`t break too much. This will ensure that the flavor gets mixed.
- Put the crab pieces in the gravy and stir well for 2-3 minutes so that the gravy spreads consistently. :-It will look and smell as if we can eat, just wait.
- Stir well and cook for 3-4 minutes.
- The gravy has become somewhat thick. It should not be too much dry. Add 1-2 tsp pepper powder, curry leaves, 1-2 tsp oil and stir well in high flame.
- :- You are all set ..Happy cooking. This goes well with rice.
Notes
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Crab is almost cooked now, hope it will give a fantastic taste!
This is really good..
ugran!!!
OMG!!!! Fantastic recipe…….sorry for the late comment – Everyone in the family loved the crab roast so much……. A big thanx to Mr.Anoop kumar for this wonderful recipe and to PACHAKAM.com too
Superb taste ..really spicy…we loved it so much!!!
One of the best crab masala I have ever tasted !!Excellent.
Superb n real easy to make…. My husband just loved it n complimented me a lot… this was the first time I cooked crab….. Thanks a ton Anoop….
Fantastic recipe. i called over three other colleagues of mine when our wives had gone out shopping and i served them this dish. It was just too good. Keep it up anoop, i am a fan.
This is superb..thanks a lot…i am feeling so confident..thanksssssssss
Adipoli recipe !!!
It was so tasty…still mouth watering!…..everyone who loves crab must try it….the proportion of masalas were so accurate..thank u Mr. Anoop
Superb!!
Superb…!!!!