Sauteed Soft-Shell Crabs Chi Kit Wong, The Flower Drum

Name: Sauteed Soft-Shell Crabs Chi Kit Wong, The Flower Drum
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 2 to 4 servings depending upon other dishes served
Cuisine: chinese
Ingredients: 5 medium-size soft-shell crabs; 1 egg white beaten; Pinch of white pepper; 1 1/2 tablespoons of cornstarch plus 3 tablespoons; 3 1/2 to 4 cups peanut oil; 3 slices of fresh ginger, flattened with blade of cleaver and cut into tiny juliennes; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 scallion, minced; 1 teaspoon sweet red pepper, minced; 1 teaspoon sweet green pepper, minced; 1 tablespoon sugar; 2 teaspoons dark soy sauce; 1 teaspoon white vinegar; 2 teaspoons cornstarch; 1 1/2 tablespoons dry white wine

By Fred Ferretti

Total Time: 20 minutes
Rating: 4(6)
Comments: Read comments

Featured in: CHINESE DISHES, AMERICAN STYLE

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Ingredients

Yield:2 to 4 servings depending upon other dishes served

The Crabs

5medium-size soft-shell crabs
1egg white beaten
Pinch of white pepper
1½tablespoons of cornstarch plus 3 tablespoons
3½ to 4cups peanut oil
3slices of fresh ginger, flattened with blade of cleaver and cut into tiny juliennes
4cloves garlic, minced
1scallion, minced
1teaspoon sweet red pepper, minced
1teaspoon sweet green pepper, minced

The Sauce

1tablespoon sugar
2teaspoons dark soy sauce
1teaspoon white vinegar
2teaspoons cornstarch
1½tablespoons dry white wine

Ingredient Substitution Guide

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Preparation

Step 1
Crabs are usually sold cleaned and iced; if not, to clean them: with sharp knife cut off apron and flap that folds under rear body. Turn crab over and cut off facial parts at point just back of eyes. With knife fold back covering at points of back and remove spongy material from gills. Wash in cold water and pat dry.
Step 2
Combine all sauce ingredients in bowl and reserve.
Step 3
In large bowl coat crabs with mixture of beaten egg, white pepper and 1½ tablespoons of cornstarch. When coated, dust thoroughly with remaining cornstarch until almost white.
Step 4
Heat wok over high heat and add peanut oil. When wisp of white smoke appears, place crabs in oil and fry until crisp. Remove from oil. Let oil get hot again and place crabs in oil a second time and fry until quite crisp. Remove and drain.
Step 5
Drain oil from wok. Place wok back on heat and when residue of oil heats add ginger, garlic, scallions and peppers and stir for about 40 seconds. Add crabs and mix well. Add sauce and mix all ingredients until crabs are thoroughly coated. Remove from wok and serve immediately.