CRAB FRIED RICE

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Crab Fried Rice image

As a young chef just starting out in New York, I had limited time and money. One of my favorite things to do on my rare days off was to Rollerblade down to Chinatown and explore the amazing ingredients in the markets. While I was there, I would usually get a bowl of fried rice, which was warm, comforting, and filling. In those days, I couldn't afford to get it with a luxe ingredient like crab--I added that later on. By including it in a simple bowl of fried rice, I'm reminded how one special ingredient can make an ordinary dish extraordinary.

Provided by Marcus Samuelsson

Categories     side-dish

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

6 tablespoons olive oil
4 garlic cloves, chopped
One 1/2-inch piece ginger, peeled and minced
2 stalks lemongrass, finely chopped (see Cook's Note)
4 fresh curry leaves (optional; see Cook's Note)
1/2 cup diced Chinese duck sausage or dry Spanish chorizo
2 teaspoons curry powder
2 cups cooked jasmine rice
1/4 cup soy sauce, plus more as needed
2 teaspoons sambal oelek (see Cook's Note)
Pinch of sugar
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 large eggs, beaten
6 scallions, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
8 ounces jumbo lump crabmeat, picked over to remove any shell or cartilage
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 limes, quartered
Boston, Bibb, or iceberg lettuce

Steps:

  • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When it shimmers, add the garlic, ginger, lemongrass, curry leaves, sausage, and curry powder and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes, or until very fragrant.
  • Add the rice to the skillet and stir until all the rice is separated into grains. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the rice is hot, 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Combine the soy sauce, sambal oelek, sugar, and a pinch each of salt and pepper in a small cup, then add it to the rice. Cook, stirring, for another minute.
  • Pour the eggs over the rice and let them sit for about a minute. Stir the eggs into the rice and turn off the heat (you're not making scrambled eggs; you just want the eggs to make the rice creamy).
  • Fold in the scallions and half of the crabmeat. Let sit for another minute. Taste the rice and season it with salt and pepper or more soy sauce.
  • Spoon the rice onto a platter. Scatter the remaining crab and the cilantro over the top and garnish with the lime wedges. Set out a plate of lettuce leaves so you can spoon rice into the leaves, wrap, and enjoy.

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