Ceylon Crab Curry - A Heavenly Sri Lankan Food Feast
A single bite of this juicy, tender crab meat marinated in a savory curry base is going to change your life. Well, at least it’s going to change your favorite curry! You need to try this.
Ceylon crab curry is an absolute treat of Blue swimmer crabs cooked in a zesty blend of premium Sri Lankan spices. The significance of this curry, when compared to any other crab curries around the world, comes with our unique curry base.
The Iconic Sri Lankan Curry Base
The commonly used seasonings in the best Sri Lankan food is locally called Thuna Paha, which can be literally translated as ‘three-five’. This stands for five main seasonings out of which, one is made up of three ingredients. They are Chili powder, Turmeric powder, Mustard, Black pepper, and curry powder.
The curry powder (the 3 in 1) does all the magic. It consists of powdered Coriander, Cumin, and Fennel seeds in a 10:5:1 ratio.
The Golden Trio
Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) seed has an aromatic, medicinal composition that aids in well being of the respiratory system, as well as the digestive system. Cumin (Cuminum cyminum) has a volatile, aromatic element that gives a distinct flavor to food and stimulates the appetite healthily. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgara) seeds are rarely used discreetly in curries but are used frequently in traditional sweetmeats due to their unique pleasant flavor. When mixed with Coriander and Cumin in correct portions, Fennel is ideal to be used in curries as well.
This astringent, aromatic mixture is solely responsible for the unique flavor of Sri Lankan curries, including his majesty, the crab curry.
And of course, we cannot forget the tangy Tamarind extract, which boldly brings out the delicious umami flavor of crab meat, even if it is just a few drops.
Last but not least a generous splash of Coconut milk is added to neutralize the overpowering spice mixture. And, bonus! The rich, mellow Coconut milk adds an extra creaminess to the crab curry and avoids any possible crab-induced inflammatory reactions in the stomach.
Why Pair with Coconut Sambal?
The ideal match to chaperon the Ceylon crab curry to the supper table – no, don’t argue – is Coconut Sambal. Coconut Sambal is a mouth-watering relish made up of freshly shredded Coconut, Red onions, Red chili peppers, and a generous squeeze of fresh Lime juice. Traditionally the mortar and pestle are used to grind the ingredients together so that their flavors would be richer and flourishing. The more you grind, the richer it gets. The divine combination of the juicy sweetness of Coconut, the umami tanginess of Onions, the fiery spiciness of Chilies, and the sour tanginess of Lime gives a delightful burst of flavors to your taste buds. And yes, you will probably experience fireworks when paired with crabs. Smoosh a piece of bread into the crab curry with a bit of Coconut Sambal, and there is the heavenly feast I mentioned in the title.
So check out our menu, to enjoy an extravagant meal featuring Ceylon crab curry, and don’t even think about skipping the Coconut Sambal!
