CORNMEAL-CRUSTED SOFT-SHELLED CRABS WITH CILANTRO-LIME TARTAR SAUCE

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Cornmeal-Crusted Soft-Shelled Crabs with Cilantro-Lime Tartar Sauce image

Categories     Milk/Cream     Shellfish     Fry     Cornmeal     Crab     Spring     Gourmet

Yield Makes 4 (main-course) servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 cups well-shaken buttermilk
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
8 live soft-shelled crabs (preferably 4 to 5 inches wide), cleaned
About 2 qt vegetable oil
1 cup self-rising cake flour
1 cup yellow cornmeal
Accompaniment: cilantro-lime tartar sauce

Steps:

  • Whisk together buttermilk, eggs, salt, and pepper and pour into a 3-quart shallow dish. Add crabs and soak, covered and chilled, 1 hour.
  • Heat enough oil to measure 2 inches deep in a wide 4-quart heavy pot (about 4 inches deep) to 375°F.
  • Whisk together flour and cornmeal and transfer to a large sealable plastic bag. Lift 1 crab out of buttermilk, letting excess drip off, and shake in bag to coat with flour. Knock off excess flour and transfer to a tray. Repeat with remaining crabs, arranging them in 1 layer as coated.
  • Deep-fry crabs, 2 at a time, turning over halfway through frying (watch out for popping), until golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Return oil to 375°F between batches. Drain crabs on paper towels and serve with tartar sauce.

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