Ginger Mud Crabs Recipes

Steps:

• Remove the top shells from the crabs. Halve each crab body and cut each half into 2 pieces. Using a meat mallet or the back of a chef's knife, gently smash the claws to break up the shell slightly. Transferred the crab body pieces to a colander set over a large bowl. Place the top shells and claws on a plate.
• Separate the scallion whites and greens. Split the scallion whites lengthwise, cut into 2-inch pieces and place in a small bowl. Cut the remaining scallion greens into 2-inch pieces and place in another small bowl.
• Make the sauce. Whisk the oyster sauce, sugar, white pepper and 1/2 cup water in a medium bowl until combined. Set aside.
• Shake off the excess liquid from the crab pieces in the colander over the sink. Reserve the large bowl. Transfer half of the crab pieces to a large plate and set aside.
• Sprinkle 2 tablespoons cornstarch over the crab pieces in the colander and toss until coated completely. Place the colander over the reserved large bowl. Wait to coat the remaining crab until the first batch is frying to prevent the cornstarch from becoming too thick.
• Fill a wok or high-sided large skillet a little less than halfway (about 3 inches) with canola oil and heat over high until shimmering. Carefully add the coated crab to the oil. Fry until the crab legs begin to turn orange and the cornstarch coating is translucent, about 2 minutes. Meanwhile, transfer the crab pieces on the plate to the colander. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons cornstarch, toss to coat and set aside. Wash your hands, then use a slotted spoon or spider to transfer the fried crab pieces to a paper towel-lined plate. Repeat with remaining crab.
• Remove all but 3 tablespoons of oil from the wok and reduce the heat to medium high. Add the garlic, ginger and scallion whites. Gently stir-fry until the garlic and ginger are golden brown and the scallion whites soften, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the claws and all of the crab pieces and toss with a wooden spoon or metal spoon. Add the Shaoxing wine and cook until reduced slightly, about 15 seconds. Add the oyster sauce mixture, scallion greens and 1/2 cup water. Toss again until well combined. Place the reserved crab top shells, hard side-up, on top in the wok and cover. Reduce the heat to medium and cook until the crab is vibrant orange and fully cooked through, about 8 minutes (see Cook's Note).
• Meanwhile, mix the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch with 1 1/2 teaspoons water in a small bowl. Remove the lid and drizzle the slurry on the crab. Toss again, increase the heat and bring to a full boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the sauce thickens slightly, about 2 minutes.
• Transfer to a platter and serve warm with white rice.

Steps:

• Drain crab clusters (the less water in the mixture the better). In a large wok or pot add oil, cilantro, green onion, ginger, garlic and peppers. Heat oil and ingredients until hot, stirring occasionally. Do not burn oil.
• Add oyster sauce to taste. Add gradually and mix well before adding more - the mixture should taste slightly sweet, not salty. Remove from heat and add crab, stirring to ensure crab is well seasoned.
• Let sit with no heat for ten minutes or longer to allow crab to soak. The crab tends to be more flavorful if allowed to soak longer before serving. Do not soak overnight.

Steps:

• Freeze mud crab for 30 minutes and then blanch in boiling hot water and then submerge into ice water to refresh.
• Clean and chop the crab in quarters, remove lungs and crack the claws by hitting them across the middle with a knife.
• Add some off cuts of ginger and spring onion to the water in a pot on which you can sit a bamboo steamer, add the crabs to the steamer and steam for about 6 to 8 minutes or alternatively I would use my electric steamer or if you have a pot with holes in the base site that on a another pot with water.
• Heat the peanut oil in the wok until smoking.
• Add onion and cook till almost transluscent and then add garlic and cook for a few minutes.
• Add the julienned ginger and chillies if using, 1 inch lengths of spring onion white part and the capsicum and sugar and fry a few minutes until fragrant.
• Add crabs and toss, then add shoaxing wine, oyster sauce, sesame oil and stock and vinegar and cook for a few minutes (I just had this all mixed in a jug to pour in).
• Sprinkle with sliced spring onion greens and coriander leaves on serving (as we don't care for coriander I omitted).
• Serve with steamed rice.