Crab Xec Xec is a very fragrant and scrumptious Goan crab curry. Crabs are cooked in roasted spices and coconut paste based curry. The roasting of all the ingredients for the masala paste is what elevates the flavor of this curry and takes it to a whole new level. The resultant dish is a finger licking good curry with sweet and delicious crabs.
Crab xec xec curry was yet another of Mom’s featured dishes in her regular Sunday lunch menu along with pilaf and a salad, whenever fresh crabs were in season. Since Mom is here with me, I thought I’d learn it from her hands on. Needless to say, it turned out super yummy.
From roasting the spices to sauteing that masala paste, my kitchen was filled with such an amazing aroma, that aroma itself was enough to let me know that it was this crab curry if I didn’t know what was cooking coz its fragrance has been imbibed in my head ever since I was a kid. Blissful!
Enjoy this delicious crab xec xec with rice or just dunk the bread in it, either way, you will love it! And of course the crabs, the highlight of this dish, are delectable as well. They retain their sweetness whilst simultaneously absorbing the beautiful flavors of the curry. Do give this easy crab curry recipe a try 🙂
Table of Contents
IF YOU ENJOYED THIS CRAB XEC XEC, YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY THIS KERALA STYLE CRAB CURRY
STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS TO MAKE GOAN CRAB XEC XEC CURRY
1.If you are using fresh crabs, discard the main shell, then remove the claws and legs of the crabs. Clean the crabs well and season with salt and set aside. If using already steamed crabs, make sure they are clean and set aside.
2.Dry roast the coconut on medium-low heat until golden brown. Set aside in a plate.Next dry roast the red chillies, coriander-cumin seeds, peppercorns, cloves on medium-low heat for about 2 minutes or until fragrant. Be careful in roasting as the spices may burn and turn bitter. Remove from the heat and transfer to a bowl/plate. (If left in the hot pan they may continue roasting and turn dark and bitter).
3.Add 1 teaspoon of oil in the same pan, saute onions until slightly golden brown.
4.Transfer the roasted coconut, spices, onions, turmeric, tamarind, ginger and garlic in the food processor/grinder, add little water at a time to make a smooth paste ( Approx 1 cup water).
5.Heat oil in the pan, add the ground paste.
6.Saute for a couple of minutes on medium heat, until most of the moisture is lost, and the paste is cooked well. Rinse the blender jar with few more tablespoon of water and extract the remaining masala, add to the pan, and continue sauteing for another minute.
7.Add about 1 cup of water, bring to a boil. Add salt to season.
8.Add the crabs, mix well in the curry. Cover and let it simmer on low heat for about 10-15 minutes or until the crabs are cooked through. If the gravy is too thick, you can add some water.
HOW TO MAKE CRAB CURRY | GOAN CRAB XEC XEC CURRY?
Crab Xéc Xéc
Ingredients
Measuring cup used, 1 Cup = 250 ml
- 1 lb crabs, I used steamed frozen crabs
- 1 cup freshly grated coconut
- 4-5 dried Kashmiri red chillies
- 2 tbsp coriander seeds
- 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
- 8 peppercorns
- 4 cloves
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 inch ginger
- pinch of turmeric
- 1 cup roughly chopped onions
- 2-3 tbsp oil, preferably coconut oil
- salt, to taste
- Walnut-sized ball of tamarind
Instructions
- If you are using fresh crabs, discard the main shell, then remove the claws and legs of the crabs. Clean the crabs well and season with salt and set aside. If using already steamed crabs, make sure they are clean and set aside.
- Dry roast the coconut on medium-low heat until golden brown. Set aside in a plate.Next dry roast the red chillies, coriander-cumin seeds, peppercorns, cloves on medium-low heat for about 2 minutes or until fragrant. Be careful in roasting as the spices may burn and turn bitter. Remove from the heat and transfer to a bowl/plate. (If left in the hot pan they may continue roasting and turn dark and bitter).
- Add 1 teaspoon of oil in the same pan, saute onions until slightly golden brown.
- Transfer the roasted coconut, spices, onions, turmeric, tamarind, ginger and garlic in the food processor/grinder, add little water at a time to make a smooth paste ( Approx 1 cup water).
- Heat oil in the pan, add the ground paste.
- Saute for a couple of minutes on medium heat, until most of the moisture is lost, and the paste is cooked well. Rinse the blender jar with few more tablespoon of water and extract the remaining masala, add to the pan, and continue sauteing for another minute.
- Add about 1 cup of water, bring to a boil. Add salt to season.
- Add the crabs, mix well in the curry. Cover and let it simmer on low heat for about 10-15 minutes or until the crabs are cooked through. If the gravy is too thick, you can add some water.
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Regards,
Freda
Kat says
The pictures made me hungry!! I love crab. Would love to try this
Freda Dias says
Thanks Kat 🙂
Antonia says
Such an interesting dish! Looks delicious Freda!
Cher|cherthatdish says
Crab curry! Looks absolutely scrumptious! Loving the beautiful photos, Freda!
Loretta says
Oh my Freda!!! What are you trying to do to us Goans who don’t usually indulge in such delicacies everyday? 🙂 Love Crab xec xec and love the recipe. Even though its breakfast time here, I want a bowl of that with sannas so I can savor every bit of that delicious curry. I’m bummed, I haven’t had crabs this summer and we get some lovely ones here on the Atlantic Coastline – the Maryland blue crabs are delicious here. Send your Mum over my way would you please? Tantalizing!
Freda Dias says
So true, Loretta! Sannas and this curry are a match made in heaven 😀 Thanks so much 🙂 I think Mum would be more than happy to meet you 🙂
youthfoodblog says
I love crabs and this is a very hearty one for crab!
Freda Dias says
Thanks Chris 🙂
Smiling Notes says
This looks truly divine. My husband is a huge crab fan and i’m sure he’ll love this 🙂
Freda Dias says
Thanks Shamira 🙂
hummingbirdthyme says
Oh, My Gosh, Freda! My mouth is watering! This dish looks totally scrumptious!
Freda Dias says
Thank you Laura 🙂
Merich Menezes says
Tamarind is not written in the ingredients list but later on stated as used.
Freda Dias says
Thanks for pointing it out. Will rectify the recipe card.
Gloria says
I’m drooling over as I comment here ..looks absolutely tempting.. exactly the same way we make it ..super yummy pics too
Freda Dias says
Thanks a lot dear! 🙂
CHCooks says
Though I dont eat meat, these pictures were drool-worthy Freda 🙂
Freda Dias says
Thanks dear! Appreciate you stopping by 🙂
Cook with Smile.. says
I don’t eat crab… but the pics looks great.. I can see it’s definitely delicious?
Freda Dias says
Thanks a lot dear 🙂