CRISPY SOFT-SHELL CRABS WITH PISTOU AND SOFT FRIED EGGS

Crispy Soft-Shell Crabs with Pistou and Soft Fried Eggs image

Prepare a marvelous spring meal with this recipe for ale-battered soft-shell crab, pea-shoot pistou, and sauteed ramps from chef Sean Brock.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Seafood Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

2 tablespoons benne seeds, plus more for garnish
2 (12-ounce) bottles ale-style beer
3 cups White Lily self-rising flour
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
16 small morels, cleaned
4 ramps, trimmed and cleaned
1/2 pound shelled English peas
1/3 cup homemade or store-bought low-sodium vegetable stock
Canola oil, for frying
4 soft-shell crabs, cleaned
4 large eggs
Pistou
4 fresh pea shoots, for garnish

Steps:

In a large bowl, whisk together benne seeds, beer, and flour until well combined; season with a pinch of salt. Transfer batter to refrigerator and let chill for 30 minutes.
Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add morels and cook, stirring for 3 minutes. Add ramps, peas, and vegetable stock; continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until ramps are wilted and peas are bright green, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
Meanwhile, fill a large Dutch oven 5 inches high with canola oil. Heat oil over high heat until it reaches 350 degrees on a deep-fry thermometer.
Remove batter from refrigerator and dredge each crab in batter, shaking off excess. Transfer crabs to hot oil and cover Dutch oven with a splatter guard (crabs will sizzle and pop while cooking). Cook, turning once, until crabs are golden and crisp, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer crabs to a paper towel-lined baking sheet.
Place a tablespoon of butter in each of 2 medium nonstick skillets; heat skillets over medium heat until butter is frothy. Reduce heat to low and crack an egg into each skillet; cook, basting whites with butter using a spoon, until whites are set but yolks are still runny. Season with salt and pepper. Remove eggs from skillets and repeat process with remaining 2 eggs.
Divide pistou evenly among 4 serving plates. Place a crab on each plate and top each with an egg. Divide morels, ramps, and peas evenly among plates; garnish each with a pea shoot and benne seeds. Serve immediately.