Monday, July 20, 2009

Soft-Shell Crab BLT


There is not much to say except this is a must. Find the small soft-shell crabs, get good bacon, and watch out for the splattering oil. You will be well rewarded with the perfect soft-shell crabs to eat on their own or if you want one of the best sandwiches possible.


Chicken-Fried Soft-Shell Crabs
Fish Without a Doubt, Rick & Moonen & Roy Finamore

For the Marinade
1 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup minced red onion
1/4 cup chopped scallions
3 tbls chopped fresh dill
1 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp grated lemon zest
1/2 tsp chili paste

12 ("hotel") soft-shell crabs, cleaned
coarse salt and white pepper
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup cornmeal
corn or peanut oil for frying

For the marinade: Combine the buttermilk, onion, scallions, dill, garlic, zest, and chili paste in a baking dish. Whisk or stir well.

Lay the crabs int he marinade, making sure you've got them completely coasted. Cover with plastic and marinate in the refrigerator for 1 hour. The crabs will weep into the marinade; this is fine.

Remove the crabs from the marinade and season with salt and white pepper. Combine the flour and cornmeal and dip the crabs, patting to coat well. Lay them on a rack over a baking sheet. Refrigerate for about 1 hour to set the coating.

Heat 1/4 inch of oil in a heavy skillet (this is a good time to pull out your cast-iron pan) until very hot but not smoking. fry the crabs in batches for about 2 mins on the first side, then turn and fry for another minute. The crust should be golden. Be prepared: the crabs will spit when you fry them; a splatter screen will come in handy. Drain on paper towels, and serve with remoulade or tarter sauce.


To make the Soft-Shell Crab BLT

If your a BLT fan, get ready for something awesome. Spread some potato rolls or hamburger buns with butter and toast them on a griddle. Smear the rolls with tarter sauce or mayonnaise and build a sandwich with chicken-fried soft-shell crab, bacon, lettuce, tomato, sliced avocado, and a few grinds of the pepper mill.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

The crabs were worth Renee's multiple 1st degree burns on her hands and arm, but maybe not the partial blindness that might have resulted had she been hit with hot oil in the eye. Oh wait, she was hit in the eye ...

Julie said...

It looks totally woth injuries to me. What a great combination.

Looking forward to hearing about China too!

Anonymous said...

Oh Ned would die if I made this for him. but soft shell crabs are ewww!

Sue Brown said...

Hi Renee, Was very nice to meet you in New Orleans and enjoyed eating lunch with you at NOLA. We got called him Sat afternoon, our daughter in law went into early labor. So we have another trip planned to spend more time. We did make it to the Acme Oyster House, the oyster po boy was the best! Don't forget to make that pie and post your crust recipe!!
Sue

Amuse-bouche for Two said...

The very idea of soft shelled crab and bacon is lovely.

we are never full said...

oh HELL YEAH. i just had to comment to say that. LOVE adding the bacon to an already delicious sammie.

Brisbane hotels said...

The combination is perfect. My whole family love it.

Anonymous said...

Wow this recipe looks great, I love everything about crabs. In fact I had heard that crabs helps men with dysfunctional problems, it's like visit Viagra Online

pharmacy said...

I didn't know that there were something like that but it looks pretty tasty

Cheap Viagra Online said...

I have never seen a similar hamburger , I think that the ingredients are crazies .... I will visit this place to eat Chicken-Fried Soft-Shell Crabs

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