Ginger Crab Food

GINGER CRAB

Steps:

• Drain crab clusters (the less water in the mixture the better). In a large wok or pot add oil, cilantro, green onion, ginger, garlic and peppers. Heat oil and ingredients until hot, stirring occasionally. Do not burn oil.
• Add oyster sauce to taste. Add gradually and mix well before adding more - the mixture should taste slightly sweet, not salty. Remove from heat and add crab, stirring to ensure crab is well seasoned.
• Let sit with no heat for ten minutes or longer to allow crab to soak. The crab tends to be more flavorful if allowed to soak longer before serving. Do not soak overnight.

GINGER SCALLION DUNGENESS CRAB STIR FRY

Steps:

• Remove the top shells from the crabs. Halve each crab body and cut each half into 2 pieces. Using a meat mallet or the back of a chef's knife, gently smash the claws to break up the shell slightly. Transferred the crab body pieces to a colander set over a large bowl. Place the top shells and claws on a plate.
• Separate the scallion whites and greens. Split the scallion whites lengthwise, cut into 2-inch pieces and place in a small bowl. Cut the remaining scallion greens into 2-inch pieces and place in another small bowl.
• Make the sauce. Whisk the oyster sauce, sugar, white pepper and 1/2 cup water in a medium bowl until combined. Set aside.
• Shake off the excess liquid from the crab pieces in the colander over the sink. Reserve the large bowl. Transfer half of the crab pieces to a large plate and set aside.
• Sprinkle 2 tablespoons cornstarch over the crab pieces in the colander and toss until coated completely. Place the colander over the reserved large bowl. Wait to coat the remaining crab until the first batch is frying to prevent the cornstarch from becoming too thick.
• Fill a wok or high-sided large skillet a little less than halfway (about 3 inches) with canola oil and heat over high until shimmering. Carefully add the coated crab to the oil. Fry until the crab legs begin to turn orange and the cornstarch coating is translucent, about 2 minutes. Meanwhile, transfer the crab pieces on the plate to the colander. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons cornstarch, toss to coat and set aside. Wash your hands, then use a slotted spoon or spider to transfer the fried crab pieces to a paper towel-lined plate. Repeat with remaining crab.
• Remove all but 3 tablespoons of oil from the wok and reduce the heat to medium high. Add the garlic, ginger and scallion whites. Gently stir-fry until the garlic and ginger are golden brown and the scallion whites soften, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the claws and all of the crab pieces and toss with a wooden spoon or metal spoon. Add the Shaoxing wine and cook until reduced slightly, about 15 seconds. Add the oyster sauce mixture, scallion greens and 1/2 cup water. Toss again until well combined. Place the reserved crab top shells, hard side-up, on top in the wok and cover. Reduce the heat to medium and cook until the crab is vibrant orange and fully cooked through, about 8 minutes (see Cook's Note).
• Meanwhile, mix the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch with 1 1/2 teaspoons water in a small bowl. Remove the lid and drizzle the slurry on the crab. Toss again, increase the heat and bring to a full boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the sauce thickens slightly, about 2 minutes.
• Transfer to a platter and serve warm with white rice.

CUCUMBER CRAB BOATS

Steps:

• Cut the cucumbers in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to scrape out the seeds. Cut each cucumber half crosswise into 4 pieces and place on a paper towel-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt. Let stand while making the filling.
• Beat the cream cheese and mayonnaise in a medium bowl until smooth. Fold in the celery, bell peppers, crabmeat, seafood seasoning, lemon zest, lemon juice and chopped dill.
• Pat the cucumbers dry (to remove the liquid and salt). Spoon the crab salad into the hollowed cucumbers. Garnish with more dill. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

STEAMED DUNGENESS CRAB WITH GINGER

Steps:

• Put water in the bottom of a steamer. Put the crabs on a plate and spread the wine, sliced ginger, and 1/4 cup soy sauce over them. Place in the steamer and cover; cook until the crabs are hot and cooked through, about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, combine the remaining ingredients to make a dipping sauce. Serve hot with the dipping sauce.

GINGER ONION CRAB

Steps:

• Heat wok and add the oils.
• Dump in ginger till fragrant.
• Add in onions and garlic.
• Stir fry till soft. Pour in oyster sauce, vinegar, sugar and soy. Let simmer.
• Add in cleaned crabs that's been halved.
• Cover, Simmer till crab changes color only.
• Stir vigorously to combine ingredients.
• Add about 1/4 cup of hot water and let the sauce simmer.
• Dump in leeks, cook 1 more minute and dish up.
• Serve with piping hot bowl of rice!

MALAYSIAN-STYLE GINGER-CHILE CRAB

Steps:

• If using live crabs, pour water in a large pot to a depth of 1 1/2 inches. Bring to a boil over high heat, add crabs, turn heat to medium-high, cover and steam until crabs are bright orange-red and all the blue-green color is gone, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat and rinse under cold running water. (If using precooked crabs, skip to Step 2.)
• Clean the crabs: Grasp the top shell at the front, pull it away from the body and discard it. Turn the crab over, pry off the triangular apron and discard it, along with the spongy white gills. Grab the legs and claws close to the body, twist them off, and crack the claws lightly with a hammer. Discard the legs (or, if you are a crab fanatic, suck the meat out of them). You want to end up with a body and 2 claws, including knuckles, from each crab. Snap the body in half, using a chef's knife to cut through the shell if necessary.
• In a large sauté pan, heat 2 tablespoons oil over high heat until it just begins to smoke. Add half the crab bodies and claws and sauté, tossing frequently with your tongs, for about 3 minutes. Add half of each of the remaining ingredients, except the salt and black pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute more.
• Remove everything from pan, add remaining 2 tablespoons oil, and repeat with remaining crabs and ingredients. Season with salt and black pepper. Serve warm or room temperature, with nutcrackers and picks.