PREPARE AND COOK YOUR OWN CHILLI CRAB

INGREDIENTS

2 x 1kg live mud crabs 140g (1/2 cup) tomato sauce 55g (1/4 cup) white sugar 60ml (1/4 cup) fish sauce 2 tablespoons tamarind concentrate 60ml (1/4 cup) Chinese rice wine (shaoxing) 80ml (1/3 cup) vegetable oil 8 cloves garlic, finely chopped 1 long red chilli, finely chopped 1/4 cup coriander leaves, roughly chopped Lemon wedges, for finger bowls

METHOD Step 1

Place the crabs in the freezer for about 1 hour to put them to ‘sleep’.

Step 2

To clean the crabs, lift the flap on the underside and pull off the top shell. Remove and discard the grey, spongy, finger-like gills. Rinse the crabs quickly under cold water to get rid of any gunk.

Step 3

Use a heavy knife or cleaver to cut each crab in half lengthwise, then cut each half into thirds. Use the back of the knife to crack the claws and legs to let the sauce seep in while they cook.

Step 4

Place the tomato sauce, sugar, fish sauce, tamarind, rice wine and 60ml (1/4 cup) water in a bowl. Stir to combine.

Step 5

Heat the oil in a large wok over high heat. Add the garlic and chilli, and fry for about 30 seconds. Add the crab pieces and give everything a bit of a mix. Add the tomato sauce mixture and toss the crabs around to coat them well. Cover with a lid, reduce the heat to low and cook for about 5 minutes. Remove lid and shake crabs around, then replace lid and cook for another 5 minutes or until the shells turn orange and the meat is cooked through.