Caril de Caranguejo

Name: Caril de Caranguejo
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Mozambican
Ingredients: 2 whole crabs, cleaned and halved; 400ml coconut milk; 2 tomatoes, chopped; 1 onion, diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tbsp curry powder; 1 tsp turmeric; 2 piri-piri chilies; 2 tbsp vegetable oil; 1 lime, juiced; Fresh cilantro; Salt

Caril de Caranguejo (kah-REEL deh kah-rahn-GAY-zhoo)

Crab Curry

⏱ Prep Time 1 hour

📈 Difficulty Hard

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 322 kcal

Fresh crab cooked in a fragrant curry of coconut milk, tomatoes, and spices, a luxurious dish from Mozambique's coastal towns.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 28.0g

Carbs 12.0g

Fat 18.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

gluten-free nut-free

Allergen Warnings

⚠ shellfish ⚠ coconut

Equipment Needed

large pot crab cracker heavy knife

Presentation Guide

Vessel: deep serving bowl

Garnishes: cilantro, lime wedges

Accompaniments: white rice, bread

Ingredients

2 whole crabs, cleaned and halved
400ml coconut milk
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp curry powder
1 tsp turmeric
2 piri-piri chilies
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 lime, juiced
Fresh cilantro
Salt

Instructions

1
Clean crabs thoroughly, remove the top shell, and crack the claws and legs so the sauce can penetrate.
2
Heat oil and sauté onion and garlic for five minutes, add curry powder, turmeric, and piri-piri, cook one minute.
3
Add tomatoes and cook for five minutes until they form a sauce, then pour in coconut milk and stir well.
4
Bring to a gentle simmer, add crab pieces, cover, and cook for twenty minutes until crab is bright red.
5
Add lime juice, season with salt, and let the sauce reduce for five more minutes to intensify flavors.
6
Serve in deep bowls with the sauce, garnished with cilantro, with finger bowls and rice on the side.

💡

Did You Know?

Eating caril de caranguejo is a messy, hands-on affair, and Mozambicans consider the effort part of the enjoyment.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

large pot
crab cracker
heavy knife

Garnishing

cilantro, lime wedges

Accompaniments

white rice, bread

The Story Behind Caril de Caranguejo

Caril de caranguejo celebrates the incredible seafood bounty of the Mozambique Channel, where mangrove crabs grow to impressive size. Indian traders introduced the curry spice combinations that now define this dish, while Portuguese influence shaped the cooking method. The result is a uniquely Mozambican creation that has become one of the most sought-after dishes in the country's coastal restaurants.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed special occasion meal, weekend treat 📜 Origins: Indian Ocean coastal tradition

Comments (0)

No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!