Best Thai Crab Rolls Recipes

CRISPY CRAB ROLLS

Steps:

• Crab filling: In medium bowl, combine the crab meat, white pepper, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, mayonnaise, egg yolk (reserving egg white), and lemon zest. Thinly slice the green part of the scallions (reserving the white part) on an angle, and add to the bowl. Stir the ingredients gently to combine, keeping the crab meat chunks as intact as possible.
• Dipping sauce: In a small bowl, blend the chile sauce, lime juice, sesame seeds, and a pinch of salt.
• In a large, deep skillet, heat oil to 375 F. In a large bowl, whisk together cornstarch, water, and 3 egg whites (reserving 2 egg yolks) to make a slurry. In another large bowl, combine the flour with a pinch of salt. Use a rolling pin to flatten each slice of bread. Arrange the bread with the short sides facing you. Spread a heaping tablespoon of crab mixture across the middle of each slice, leaving a ½-inch border at both sides. Use your finger to spread some of the reserved egg yolk along the top and bottom of the flattened bread. Roll and tuck the bread around the crab; press to seal the rolls. Let the rolls rest seam-side down for 5 minutes.
• Whisk the egg white mixture again to recombine any cornstarch that may have settled to the bottom. Dip each crab roll into the mixture, then dredge in the flour. Carefully transfer the rolls to the oil and fry in batches without crowding, turning occasionally, until golden brown, about 8 minutes per batch. Transfer the crab rolls to a plate lined with paper towels to drain. Finely slice the white part of a scallion and garnish the chili sauce. Slice the crab rolls in half and serve with the chile sauce.

CRAB SUMMER ROLLS

Steps:

• For the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, tamari, chili paste, ginger and 1 tablespoon water. Set aside to let the flavors marry for about 10 minutes.
• For the rolls: Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, toss the rice noodles with the sesame oil.
• Fill a pie pan with warm tap water. Working with one wrapper at a time, soak the rice paper in the warm water for about 30 seconds or until pliable. Lay a few pieces of cilantro and basil across the center of the wrapper. Top the herbs with some crab, followed by some of the red pepper and cucumber. Top with approximately 1/3 cup of the dressed rice noodles. Roll the edge closest to you over the filling, pulling tightly. Fold in the ends and continue to roll to seal. Store on a tray with a damp paper towel. Continue with the remaining wrappers and filling. Serve with the dipping sauce.

VIETNAMESE SOFT ROLLS WITH CRAB

Steps:

• Mix together ingredients for the nuoc cham sauce in a small bowl and set aside.
• Mix together all ingredients for Hoisin dipping sauce EXCEPT chopped peanuts in a small saucepan.
• Bring mixture to a boil; then reduce heat and simmer for five minutes.
• Cool Hoisin dipping sauce to room temperature, garnish with chopped peanuts, and set aside.
• Het oil in a large skillet, add asparagus and cook for one minute.
• Add water and cook, covered, for three minutes more; remove from heat.
• Note: crab is meant to be chilled and asparagus is meant to be cooled down to room temperature when building rolls.
• Fill a large bowl with warm water (deep enough to submerge a rice paper).
• Dip one rice paper at a time while building soft rolls, just till it becomes pliable; remove from water and blot on paper toweling.
• To build roll, on softened rice paper, place a lettuce leaf with margins on all sides (except top is ok).
• Top lettuce with one ounce of crab, one piece of asparagus, a couple of pinches of alfalfa sprouts and shredded carrots, a fresh basil leaf, and a couple of cilantro sprigs.
• Fold bottom edge of rice paper up over filling, then wrap right side over filling and roll up tightly into a bundle.
• Place on serving platter covered with a damp paper towel while preparing remaining rolls.
• Serve at once with dipping sauces and hot chile paste (sambal oelek), if desired.

THAI SOFT-SHELL CRABS

Steps:

• Combine the milk and Tabasco in a bowl. Set aside. Mix the flour, salt and pepper in a shallow pan. Dip the crabs in the milk and dredge in flour mixture. Heat the oil in a heavy-bottom skillet over medium-high heat. Place the crabs in pan and cook for 3 minutes. Turn and cook until tender, about 2 more minutes. Drain on paper towels.
• Drain the fat from the pan. Return the skillet to the stove. Add the wine, lime juice, chilies and scallions. Turn the heat up to medium-high and simmer until sauce reduces to 1/3 cup, about 3 to 5 minutes. Place two crabs on each of four plates. Drizzle with sauce and garnish with minced mint, basil and coriander leaves.