Goan Masala Stuffed Crabs

Ingredients

• 4 brown dressed crabs
• 1 tbsp rapeseed oil
• 1 large onion – finely chopped
• 3 green chillies – finely chopped
• 10 fresh or frozen curry leaves – roughly chopped
• 4 cloves garlic – minced
• ½ tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp chilli powder
• 3 tbsp cider or coconut vinegar
• 3 tbsp coriander – finely chopped
• 1 egg – beaten with 1 tablespoon water
• 3 tbsp course semolina
• 1 tbsp melted butter

Steps

1. Pre-heat your oven to 200c (400f).
2. Heat the oil over medium heat in a large non-stick frying pan. Add the finely chopped onions and fry, stirring often until soft and translucent. About 8 – 10 minutes should do it. As we are using a small amount of oil, you will need to watch the onions carefully so that they don't burn. Stir in the green chillies, curry leaves, garlic and the ground spices and stir to combine. Fry for a further 30 seconds and the stir in the vinegar and chopped coriander. Taste it and add salt to taste. This is a good time to adjust spicing too so add more chilli powder to taste if you want to and/or more vinegar.
3. Remove this masala from the heat and pour it into a large bowl to cool. Add the crab meat from the shells and stir in all up well.
4. Transfer this masala crab meat in equal amounts back to the crab shells. Melt 1 table spoon of butter in the pan. Lightly brush each of the crabs with the egg wash. You won't use anywhere near as much as you have. Sprinkle each equally with the semolina and drizzle the butter over the top.
5. Place the crabs on a baking tray in the centre of the oven and roast for 15 – 20 minutes or until heated through and lightly browned on top. Serve immediately.