Name: Crab Sauté with Spicy Coconut Sauce
Yield: Makes 4 servings
Ingredients: 4 garlic cloves, pressed; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric; 2 cooked Dungeness crabs (4 1/2 pounds total), cleaned, cracked, each cut into 8 pieces; 5 dried chiles de árbol*; 8 whole black peppercorns; 5 whole cloves; 1 teaspoon coriander seeds; 1 teaspoon aniseed; 1 teaspoon cumin seeds; 1/2 cinnamon stick; 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut**; 1/4 cup vegetable oil; 2 1/2 cups finely chopped onions; 1 cup canned unsweetened coconut milk**; 1/2 cup water; Lime wedges; Steamed rice

A Goan dish from the Savoi Spice Plantation.

Recipe information

Yield
Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

4 garlic cloves, pressed

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric

2 cooked Dungeness crabs (4 1/2 pounds total), cleaned, cracked, each cut into 8 pieces

5 dried chiles de árbol*

8 whole black peppercorns

5 whole cloves

1 teaspoon coriander seeds

1 teaspoon aniseed

1 teaspoon cumin seeds

1/2 cinnamon stick

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut**

1/4 cup vegetable oil

2 1/2 cups finely chopped onions

1 cup canned unsweetened coconut milk**

1/2 cup water

Lime wedges

Steamed rice

Preparation

Step 1
Mix garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, and turmeric in bowl. Place crab on rimmed baking sheet; smear garlic mixture over. Cover; chill 2 hours.
Step 2
Heat medium skillet over medium heat. Add chiles and next 7 ingredients; stir until toasted, about 3 minutes. Transfer to spice grinder; cool. Add coconut to skillet and stir until light brown, about 5 minutes; cool. Add 1/3 cup coconut to spices in grinder; blend well. Add remaining coconut, 1/3 cup at a time, grinding finely.
Step 3
Heat oil in large deep skillet over medium heat. Add onions; saute until golden, about 20 minutes. Add crabs and coconut-spice mixture; reduce heat to low. Cook until heated, tossing with tongs, about 5 minutes. Add coconut milk and 1/2 cup water; bring to simmer. Cover; simmer 15 minutes, turning often. Transfer crab to platter. Serve with lime wedges and rice.
Step 4
*This bright red chile is available at some supermarkets, specialty foods stores, and Latin markets.
Step 5
**Sold at some supermarkets, specialty foods stores, and natural foods stores.

TagsIndian South Asian Asian Crab Shellfish Seafood Chile de Árbol Chile Vegetable Coconut Fruit Coconut Milk Rice Rice & Grains Main Dinner Dairy Free Gluten Free Nut Free Easy Weeknight Meals Saute Bon Appétit

Recipe information

Ingredients

Preparation

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Recipe notes