Best Asian Black Pepper Crab Recipes
ASIAN BLACK PEPPER CRAB
I have adapted this to the finest crab in the world - the inimitable Atlantic blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, 'beautiful swimmers'. Nothing compares to their rich unctuous, mildly sweet, faintly briny, "ocean" flavor - nor to their absolute pugnacity & resoluteness in standing their ground. Insist your blue crabs are alive & fighting - they deteriorate rapidly when they expire (never fall for "they're just slow from the cold" - don't buy seafood from anyone who uses that line!). Atlantic blue crabs have suffered terrible population declines in the past 20 years - they seem to be making a comeback here in the past 2 to 3. We love going crabbing & using handlines while the traps sit through a tide n deeper water through a high tide. A wonderful book about our crabs is "Beautiful Swimmers - Watermen, Crabs and the Chesapeake Bay" by William W. Warner. I can't recommend this book highly enough. A most excellent summer read; oh & nice to know who you're eating. Serve al fresco with newspaper tablecloth, large pasta bowls if available, steamed rice, steamed Chinese broccoli or green beans, cucumber shavings in rice wine vinegar and a light bubbly ice cold beer.
Provided by Busters friend
Categories Crab
Time 50m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Steam crabs until bright red - ideally using a crab pot with a rack. Remove from heat and cool.
- Turn each crab on its back; lift and remove apron. turn over & pull off back. Remove and discard the devil's fingers (gills) and the creamy, green or yellow tomalley in the center. Crack body in half. Remove & crack claws gently with a nutcracker.
- Heat oil in a wok or a large skillet over high heat. Sauté crab pieces 2 minutes. Remove from pan and set aside.
- Turn down heat to medium; add garlic, ginger, and chiles. Cook 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Add oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, thin soy sauce, and sugar. Reduce heat to low and simmer 30 seconds.
- Add pepper and return crab to wok; stir until coated with sauce. Serve garnished with cilantro.
SINGAPORE BLACK PEPPER CRAB
From the cookbook Spice It - given to me recently as a present by my ex husband! I have developed a real love of crabs and am pretty handy at catching and dispatching of them now days. It's a great way to fill in a few hours: catching, cooking, cleaning and picking or eating them and makes me feel like a real "hunter and gatherer"!
Provided by JustJanS
Categories Crab
Time 40m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Put kecap manis, oyster sauce, sugar and 3 tablespoons water in a small bowl, stir, then set aside.
- Pull back the apron of each crab, remove top shell, then intestines and feathery gills. Rinse quickly.
- Cut each crab into quarters and crack the legs gently (I use a meat mallet) so the flavours can enter.
- Heat the oil in a very large wok over high heat; add the crab pieces and stir fry in batches until the shell is bright orange and the meat almost cooked (about 5 minutes). Remove and repeat until all is cooked.
- Add the butter, ginger, garlic, chilli, black and white peppers and coriander to the wok; stir fry 30 seconds.
- Add the sauce mixture and stir; bring to the boil, then simmer 2 minutes.
- Return the crab to the wok and toss to coat in the sauce.
- Cook a further 2-3 minutes to finish cooking the crab then garnish with the spring onions and coriander leaves.
- Serve at once.
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History
The origin of black pepper crab is often attributed to a man named Cher Yam Tian. Cher was a Singaporean chef who created the dish in the 1950s at his restaurant, Palm Beach. His recipe quickly became a favorite amongst locals and travelers alike, and it wasn't long before other restaurants in the city started offering their own versions of the dish. Today, black pepper crab is not only a popular dish in Singapore, but across Asia and around the world. It has become a staple at many Asian restaurants, especially those specializing in seafood.Ingredients
To make black pepper crab, you'll need several key ingredients. The most important ingredient is, of course, the crab. Fresh crabs are best, and you can use any variety of crab that is available in your area. Other ingredients include:Black pepper
As the name suggests, black pepper is a key ingredient in this dish. You'll need a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper to infuse the sauce with its signature flavor.Garlic
Garlic is another important ingredient that adds depth and aroma to the sauce. Make sure to use fresh cloves of garlic for best results.Soy sauce
Soy sauce is a popular seasoning in Asian cuisine, and it adds depth and saltiness to the sauce.Oyster sauce
Oyster sauce is a thick and savory seasoning made from oysters, soy sauce, and other ingredients. It adds a delicious umami flavor to the dish.Cornstarch
Cornstarch is used to thicken the sauce and give it a nice texture. Other ingredients that you may want to use include ginger, scallions, and chili peppers. These can add additional flavors or a little bit of heat to the dish.Preparation
Preparing black pepper crab can be a bit time-consuming, but the end result is well worth the effort. Here are the steps for making this delicious dish:Step 1: Clean and prepare the crab
Start by cleaning the crabs thoroughly. Remove any shells, gills, or other unwanted parts. Rinse the crabs with water and pat them dry with a clean towel.Step 2: Prepare the sauce
In a large wok or pan, heat up some oil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and stir-fry for a minute or two until fragrant. Add the black pepper and stir-fry for another minute. Next, add the soy sauce, oyster sauce, and a bit of water to the pan. Stir everything together and let the mixture simmer for a few minutes. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed.Step 3: Cook the crab
Once the sauce is ready, it's time to add the crab. Gently place the crabs into the pan, making sure that they are evenly coated with the sauce. Cover the pan and let the crabs cook for 10-15 minutes, until they are fully cooked.Step 4: Thicken the sauce
Once the crabs are fully cooked, remove them from the pan and set them aside. Increase the heat under the pan and add a bit of cornstarch to the sauce. Stir everything together until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.Step 5: Serve
To serve the black pepper crab, place the cooked crabs on a large platter and pour the thickened sauce over them. Garnish with some chopped scallions or fresh parsley, if desired.Conclusion
Asian black pepper crab is a delicious and flavorful dish that is enjoyed by many seafood lovers around the world. It's a bit time-consuming to prepare, but the end result is well worth the effort. With fresh crab, black pepper, garlic, and a few other key ingredients, you can create a memorable meal that will impress your family and friends.The black pepper crab is an iconic dish in Asian cuisine, popular in countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. Known for its intense flavor and spicy kick, this dish is a must-try for anyone who loves seafood and Asian cuisine.
Choosing the Right Crab
The key ingredient in any black pepper crab recipe is the crab itself, and it is important to choose the right one. The best type of crab for this dish is the Sri Lankan crab, which has a large body and sweet, juicy meat. However, these crabs can be expensive and difficult to find. An alternative is to use other types of crabs such as mud crabs or Dungeness crabs, which are more readily available in some regions.
Preparing the Crab
Before cooking the crab, it is important to clean it thoroughly. This involves removing the top shell, the gills, and the stomach sac, and cutting the crab into pieces. There are different methods for cutting the crab depending on the recipe, such as halving it or dividing it into four pieces. It is also important to crack the claws and legs to allow the flavors of the sauce to seep in.
Making the Sauce
The sauce is what gives the black pepper crab its distinct flavor and is an essential part of the dish. The main ingredients in the sauce are black pepper, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and chili peppers. It is important to use freshly ground black pepper for the best flavor, and to adjust the amount of chili peppers based on personal preference. The sauce is typically made in a wok or frying pan and should be heated until it thickens.
Cooking the Crab
Once the crab and sauce are ready, it is time to cook the dish. The traditional method is to stir-fry the crab in the sauce, but there are other methods such as steaming or grilling. When stir-frying, it is important to cook the crab over high heat to ensure that it cooks evenly and quickly. The crab is typically cooked for about 5-7 minutes, or until the meat is no longer translucent.
Serving the Dish
The final step in making black pepper crab is to plate and serve the dish. This can be done in a number of ways, such as placing the pieces of crab on a bed of lettuce or rice, or serving it with various side dishes such as stir-fried vegetables or fried rice. It is also common to garnish the dish with chopped spring onions or coriander, which adds a fresh and fragrant touch to the dish.
Tips for Making the Best Black Pepper Crab
Aside from the above steps, there are several tips and tricks that can help ensure that your black pepper crab turns out perfectly:
- Use fresh ingredients - this is especially important for the black pepper and chili peppers, which can lose their potency over time.
- Don't overcook the crab - overcooking can make the meat tough and dry, so be sure to cook it just until it is no longer translucent.
- Adjust the spiciness - black pepper crab is meant to be spicy, but it shouldn't be so hot that you can't taste the other flavors. Adjust the amount of chili peppers based on personal preference.
- Use a high-quality wok or frying pan - this will ensure that the sauce cooks evenly and the crab doesn't stick to the pan.
- Experiment with different flavors - while black pepper is the classic flavor for this dish, you can also try using other spices such as Sichuan peppercorn or Thai basil.
Conclusion
Black pepper crab is a delicious and flavorful dish that is sure to impress anyone who tries it. With these tips and tricks, you can create a perfect version of this iconic Asian dish that will leave your taste buds wanting more.