**Indulge in a Coastal Delicacy: Soft-Shell Crab on Toast - A Culinary Journey**
As the ocean's bounty graces our tables, soft-shell crabs take center stage, offering a unique and delectable seafood experience. These tender crabs, with their delicate flavor and crispy exterior, have captivated taste buds for centuries. Embark on a culinary adventure with our curated collection of soft-shell crab on toast recipes, each offering a distinct flavor profile that will transport you to the seaside. From classic preparations to innovative twists, these recipes showcase the versatility of this exceptional ingredient. Get ready to tantalize your palate with soft-shell crabs perched atop toasted bread, complemented by an array of sauces, herbs, and accompaniments. Discover the perfect combination of textures and flavors that will leave you craving more.
FRIED SOFT-SHELL CRAB
These crabs are fried to a light crisp, and you can eat the whole crab. It is my favorite food.
Provided by WESBRYANT
Categories Main Dish Recipes Seafood Main Dish Recipes Crab
Time 35m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Clean each crab. Lift one pointed side of top shell and remove the gills by pulling them out. Put top shell back down and repeat on other side. On the bottom side remove tail flap by twisting and pulling off. Using a pair of scissors, remove the face by cutting behind the eyes. Rinse the crabs thoroughly with cold water. Dry on paper towels.
- Heat oil in a deep fryer to 365 degrees F (180 degrees F). In a shallow dish, whisk together the egg and milk using a fork. In a separate bowl, stir salt and pepper into the flour. Lightly salt the crab, then dip in the flour, dip in the egg, then in the flour again.
- Carefully place crabs into the deep-fryer. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, or until golden brown on one side. Carefully turn over, and cook until golden on the other side. Drain on paper towels. Serve as soon as they are cool enough to eat. You can eat the whole crab.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 357.9 calories, Carbohydrate 25.4 g, Cholesterol 65.2 mg, Fat 24.4 g, Fiber 0.8 g, Protein 9.1 g, SaturatedFat 3.7 g, Sodium 76 mg, Sugar 1.6 g
SOFT-SHELL CRAB TOAST
Broiling is perhaps the easiest way to cook soft shell crabs. All you do is oil up the crabs, lay them on a baking sheet and broil them until crisp and bronzed on both sides - under 10 minutes. It's also one of the tastiest ways to cook them: their edges crisp and char while their bellies swell with sweet, saline juices. Here, the broiled crabs are laid on toast and served as open-faced sandwiches. The toast absorbs the crab juices and also heightens the crunch. If you're pressed for time, or if you're a purist, you can skip the parsley jalapeño sauce. A lemon wedge is all you really need to bring out the sweetness of the crab.
Provided by Melissa Clark
Categories quick, appetizer, main course
Time 20m
Yield 6 appetizer servings, or 3 main course servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a blender, combine parsley, jalapeño, lemon juice and salt. Add oil and 3 tablespoons water. Purée until sauce is smooth, adding additional water if needed, a tablespoon at a time, until you have a thick yet pourable sauce. Transfer sauce to a bowl and add more salt or lemon juice, or both, if needed.
- Heat broiler. Place bread slices in a single layer on a baking sheet. Broil, turning once, until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Rub toast with cut garlic. Drizzle with oil or slather with butter (butter is nice on pain de mie), remove from pan and set aside.
- Lightly coat crabs with oil and season with salt and pepper. Transfer, belly side up, to a large baking sheet (you can use the same one you used for the toast). Broil, turning once, until crisp and golden, about 2 minutes per side.
- Place one crab on top of each toast. Spoon a generous amount of sauce over each crab and serve with lemon wedges on the side.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 322, UnsaturatedFat 16 grams, Carbohydrate 16 grams, Fat 20 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 19 grams, SaturatedFat 3 grams, Sodium 408 milligrams, Sugar 2 grams, TransFat 0 grams
SOFT-SHELL CRABS ON TOAST
Make and share this Soft-Shell Crabs on Toast recipe from Food.com.
Provided by ratherbeswimmin
Categories Breakfast
Time 53m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- On a plate or shallow dish, stir the flour, pepper, and a bit of salt.
- In a shallow dish, whisk together the milk, egg, and garlic.
- Place the cracker crumbs on another plate or shallow dish.
- Warm a generous ¼ inch of oil in a large skillet over med-high heat.
- Dip each crab into the seasoned flour, then into the egg mixture, and then into the cracker crumbs; gently shake to get rid of excess.
- Fry the crabs in batches for 3-4 minutes or until golden brown.
- Drain the crabs on paper towel-lined plate.
- Pour off any excess oil beyond 1 tablespoon; stir in the butter and lemon juice and heat through.
- Working quickly, arrange the toast on each plate and top each with a piece of ham slice; arrange each crab on top; then spoon equal portions of the pan sauce around.
- Sprinkle with parsley; garnish with lemon wedges and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 343.7, Fat 15.6, SaturatedFat 6.6, Cholesterol 118.2, Sodium 1291.3, Carbohydrate 29.9, Fiber 1.3, Sugar 1.4, Protein 20.6
SOFT-SHELL CRAB BLTS
How do you make a BLT even better? Top it with a soft-shell crab! Around here, the crab is fried in a batter made with Old Bay Seasoning, invented in Baltimore.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 35m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Stir together the mayonnaise, mustard, horseradish, lemon juice, hot sauce and Worcestershire sauce in a small bowl. Refrigerate until ready to use.
- Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat, turning, until browned and crisp, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate and break the slices in half.
- Whisk the flour and 1 tablespoon Old Bay in a shallow bowl. Season the crabs with salt and pepper, then dip the crabs in the seasoned flour to coat on both sides.
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until foamy. Immediately add the crabs and cook, turning, until browned and cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate and sprinkle with more Old Bay.
- Assemble the sandwiches: Spread some of the mayonnaise mixture on 4 slices of toast. Top each with lettuce, tomato, some bacon and a crab. Spread the remaining mayonnaise mixture on the 4 other slices of toast and place on top of the sandwiches. Gently press down on each sandwich and cut in half. Serve with pickles.
SOFT SHELL CRAB
Steps:
- Combine chili paste, white vinegar, rice vinegar, garlic cloves, kosher salt, sugar, and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Simmer for 30 minutes and skim if needed. Add cornstarch and bring back to a boil to thicken. Set aside and let cool.
- Heat oil to 360 degrees F. in a deep pot.
- Dredge crab in buttermilk and dip in tempura flour. Fry in oil for 2 minutes until crisp. Set aside. Place asparagus spear in oil for one minute. Set aside.
- Place 2 ounces of the cooled chili paste sauce in a shallow bowl along with a mound of cooked rice noodles. Arrange carrot and sprigs of basil, cilantro, and mint next to the noodles. Place lime wedge along side the noodles. Put fried crab on top of noodles with asparagus spear.
PAN-FRIED SOFT-SHELL CRABS
Ask your fishmonger to clean soft-shell crabs for you. Crabs should be cooked no more than six hours after they are cleaned.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Seafood Recipes
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Whisk flour, salt, and pepper; place on a dinner plate. Dredge 2 soft-shell crabs in flour mixture, shaking off excess (make sure crabs are completely coated).
- Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a medium sauté pan over medium-high heat. The oil should be very hot but not smoking. Place flour-coated crabs, back side down, in sauté pan; reduce heat to medium if pan starts to smoke. Sauté crabs until golden and crisp, about 3 minutes (do not stand too close to pan; crabs tend to spatter during cooking). Turn crabs over, and cook 2 minutes more.
- Add 1 tablespoon butter and a large pinch of parsley to skillet. Squeeze the juice of half a lemon over crabs. Keep warm in a low oven. Repeat process until all the crabs are cooked.
Tips:
- Choose Fresh Crabs: Select live and active crabs with a firm shell and no signs of damage. Check their eyes; they should be shiny and black.
- Clean the Crabs Properly: Before cooking, carefully clean the crabs to remove any impurities or debris. Use a soft brush to gently scrub the shells and remove any dirt or sand.
- Don't Overcook: Soft-shell crabs cook quickly, so be mindful of the cooking time. Overcooking can make them tough and chewy. Aim for a golden brown color and an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
- Season Wisely: Use a light touch with seasonings to let the natural flavor of the crabs shine through. Simple seasonings like lemon juice, salt, and pepper often suffice.
- Serve Immediately: Soft-shell crabs are best enjoyed immediately after cooking. They tend to lose their delicate texture and flavor if left to cool down.
Conclusion:
Indulge in the delectable flavors of soft-shell crabs prepared with the utmost care and attention to detail. By following these expert tips, you can create a culinary masterpiece that showcases the unique and delicate nature of this seasonal delicacy. Remember to select fresh crabs, clean them meticulously, and cook them with precision to achieve the perfect balance of tenderness, flavor, and texture. Elevate your dining experience by serving the soft-shell crabs on toasted bread, accompanied by a zesty dipping sauce. Enjoy this exquisite dish as a delightful appetizer or main course, and relish the symphony of flavors that dance on your palate.
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