Tempura Soft-shell Crab with Asian Slaw |
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Prep Time: 0 Minutes Cook Time: 0 Minutes |
Ready In: 0 Minutes Servings: 1 |
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Make the tempura batter just before dipping the crabs. The bubbles in the soda water help keep the tempura light and crispy. Ingredients:
canola or vegetable oil |
1 1/2 cups cake flour or all-purpose flour |
3/4 teaspoon sea salt or kosher salt |
1 large egg yolk |
1 1/4 cups soda water |
8 jumbo soft-shell crabs, dressed |
asian slaw |
crab dipping sauce |
garnish: toasted sesame seeds |
Directions:
1. Pour oil to a depth of 1 inch into a large Dutch oven, and heat to 350°.
2. In a medium bowl, combine flour and salt. Stir yolk into soda water in a 2-cup measure until blended; pour over flour mixture, and, using a large fork, gently combine (the batter should remain slightly lumpy and should have the consistency of heavy cream).
3. Dip 2 crabs into batter, letting excess batter drip back into bowl, and carefully slip into the hot oil, top-side down. Fry 1 1/2 minutes per side, until golden brown and crisp. Drain on paper towels, then transfer to a baking sheet, and keep warm in a 200° oven. Repeat with remaining oil and crabs.
4. Cut crabs in half. Serve with Asian Slaw and Crab Dipping Sauce. Garnish, if desired.
5. Wine note: A crisp bubbly is traditionally a beautiful bedfellow for preparations involving frying, seafood, or soy sauce. This dish manages to combine all three, making a bubbly such as Zardetto Prosecco ($10) a no-brainer. The prosecco's clean, tart flavor whisks away the tempura's greasy baggage like a bellhop at the Four Seasons. -Mark Oldman
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