Chilli Garlic Crab

A Special Seafood Recipe

Prep: 20 minutes

Total: 30 minutes

The last few hours of sun casts a pink hue over the Bombay sky. A veritable cocktail of spices floats in the air as noises from the nearby food stalls give visitors the promise of quick, hot and delicious food. It is a magical evening here on Chowpatty Beach. All kinds of people from all over Bombay come to this spot, to snack and stroll. Young and old jumble together visiting their favourite spots for Pau Bhaji or Gola. Everybody eats outdoors and everyone shares in the moment.

The normal, frenetic pace of life that defines the city is forgotten on evenings like this. No matter how busy one’s day might have been, time spent at Chowpatty Beach reminds us to slow down and enjoy the company of loved ones, and that good food is never far away. We can always find the time to appreciate a particularly delicious Vada Pau, a rewardingly crunchy Bhel or a sweetly invigorating fresh sugarcane juice or stop in to nearby Mahesh Lunch Home for some brilliant seafood.

A few years ago, we served the Chilli Garlic Crab as a special in our cafés and it wooed quite a few tastebuds. Hence, Chef Naved has kindly shared his recipe for the Chilli Garlic Crab (inspired by the one served at Mahesh Lunch Home) – bound to wow guests at your next dinner party!

Ingredients

2 servings

300 g fresh crab, off the shell

75 g butter

40 ml refined vegetable oil

1 large knob of ginger, chopped

8 garlic cloves – be generous!

1 chopped green chilli

3 dill sprigs, leaves only, chopped

1 tbsp chopped coriander leaves

6 whole spring onions, roughly chopped

1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

1 lime for squeezing

1 tsp salt - adjust to taste

METHOD

Step 1

In a heavy-bottomed pan, gently heat the butter and oil together. Add the chopped garlic and sauté until golden brown.

Step 2

Add the freshly crushed pepper, chopped ginger, and the chopped spring onion bulbs, and saute lightly for 30 seconds.

Step 3

Add the crab meat and sauté for 2-3 minutes, adding a little water if the crab begins to stick to the pan.

Step 4

Add all of the remaining ingredients, including the green stems of and toss for for further 2 minutes. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lime and serve with Malabar paratha or soft pillowy pau.