How to make delicious, simple and convenient crabs

Steaming or stir frying crabs is not only delicious but also simple and convenient. The main methods suitable for home cooking include steaming, spicy stir frying, stir frying with scallions and ginger, steaming with garlic paste, and stir frying in a sheltered pond.

1. Steaming

Steaming is the most effective way to preserve the original flavor of crabs. Brush the fresh crabs clean and place them in a steamer with their abdomen facing up. Steam for 10-15 minutes after the water boils. Adding ginger slices on crab shells during steaming can remove fishy odors, while dipping them in ginger vinegar sauce can neutralize coldness. This method is easy to operate and has minimal nutrient loss, making it suitable for fresh and sweet meat varieties such as horseshoe crabs and hairy crabs.

2. Spicy Stir Frying

Spicy stir fried crabs require first cutting the crabs into pieces and coating them with starch, deep frying and shaping them, then stir frying them with bean paste, dried chili peppers, and Sichuan peppercorns until fragrant. The heavy flavored approach can mask some of the fishy smell and is suitable for thick and creamy green crabs. Pay attention to controlling the oil temperature to avoid burning, pour cooking wine before cooking to enhance the aroma, and pair it with rice cakes or noodles to make it more satisfying.

3. Stir fry with scallions and ginger

Stir fry with scallions and ginger. Use a large amount of ginger slices and scallions to stir fry the crab in a wok. Cut the crab into pieces and stir fry directly until it changes color. Ginger and scallions can effectively remove coldness and are suitable for people with weak and cold constitution to consume. The key to this method is the heat. It is recommended to use an iron pan to stir fry quickly and lock in the juice. Finally, thicken the soup by thinning the sauce.

4. Garlic Steamed

Garlic steamed crab requires spreading minced garlic and vermicelli on the crab pieces and steaming them together. Garlic aroma can stimulate the freshness and sweetness of crab meat, and the unique flavor of fans after absorbing crab juice. When processing, it is recommended to keep the crab cover shape and steam for about 8 minutes to avoid aging of the meat, which is suitable for large crabs such as king crabs.

5. Typhoon Shelter Stir fry

When stir frying crabs in a typhoon shelter, stir fry minced garlic, breadcrumbs, and crab chunks until golden brown and crispy. The unique garlic aroma and crispy taste are popular, but it is important to thoroughly drain the water before frying the crabs. It can be eaten with Mantou slices, and is suitable for party making. Crabs are rich in high-quality protein and trace elements, but they are not suitable for excessive consumption due to their cold nature. Suggest pairing ginger tea or yellow wine to warm the stomach, and gout patients should control their intake. When purchasing, pay attention to the hardness and motility of crab shells. Dead crabs are prone to bacterial growth and must be cooked thoroughly. Before cooking, clean the crevices of the crab shell with a toothbrush. For handling live crabs, freeze them for 20 minutes to make them unconscious and reduce their struggle. Different varieties of crabs are suitable for different cooking methods. For example, steamed hairy crabs are better, while green crabs are suitable for heavy flavored cooking. Choosing plump individuals according to the season can enhance the flavor.