Soft shell crab is an exquisite seafood delicacy prized for its delicate and succulent meat. When paired with preserved lemons and almonds, this dish transforms into a harmonious symphony of flavors. The preserved lemons impart a delightful sour and salty tang, while the almonds add a touch of nutty crunch and richness. Cooking soft shell crab with preserved lemon and almonds is an art form, requiring careful attention to detail and a delicate touch. This article will guide you through the intricacies of selecting the freshest crab, preparing the ingredients, and cooking the dish to perfection. Discover the secrets to creating an unforgettable culinary experience that will leave your taste buds craving more.
Here are our top 13 tried and tested recipes!
SOFT-SHELL CRAB WITH PRESERVED LEMON AND ALMONDS
Provided by David Tanis
Categories dinner, quick, main course
Time 30m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Season the flour for dredging: mix together flour, cumin, coriander, cayenne, paprika and salt in a shallow bowl. Quickly dip both sides of the crabs in flour mixture and shake off excess.
- Put 4 tablespoons melted butter in a large, wide cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. When butter is hot, carefully put in the crabs, top side down. Cook for about 2 minutes per side, until well crisped and cooked through. Remove crabs to a warmed platter. Sprinkle lightly with salt.
- Add 4 more tablespoons melted butter to pan and add sliced almonds. Stir to coat and cook until lightly browned, 1 to 2 minutes. Add preserved lemon and cilantro and turn off heat.
- Spoon butter sauce over crabs, surround with lemon wedges and serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 355, UnsaturatedFat 12 grams, Carbohydrate 16 grams, Fat 30 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 9 grams, SaturatedFat 15 grams, Sodium 68 milligrams, Sugar 1 gram, TransFat 1 gram
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.
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 CRABS WITH ALMONDS
Provided by Pierre Franey
Categories dinner, main course
Time 20m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- In flat dish, combine the milk, salt, pepper and Tabasco. Blend well. Add the crabs, turning them over to coat well with the milk.
- Place the flour in a flat dish and remove the crabs from the milk. Dredge them in the flour. Shake to remove any excess flour.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of the vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet. Place six crabs in the pan and cook them over medium heat for about 3 minutes or until lightly browned on one side. Turn and cook until golden brown on the other side. The total cooking time is about 6 or 7 minutes depending on the thickness. Transfer to a warm serving platter and keep warm. Add remaining vegetable oil to pan and repeat the procedure with the other crabs.
- Pour off the fat from the skillet and wipe it clean with paper towels. Add the butter and olive oil, add the shallots and sliced almonds and cook until lightly browned, shaking the pan. When the oil is bubbling, add the lemon juice and pour the mixture over the crabs. Sprinkle with parsley.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 452, UnsaturatedFat 26 grams, Carbohydrate 23 grams, Fat 34 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 15 grams, SaturatedFat 7 grams, Sodium 360 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams, TransFat 0 grams
SOFT-SHELL CRAB B.L.T. WITH LEMON-PEPPER MAYONNAISE
Provided by Tyler Florence
Categories main-dish
Time 1h40m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- To make the mayonnaise: In a food processor, combine the egg yolks, salt, mustard, and lemon juice; process together to form a stable base. With the motor running, add a few drops of the oil, the mixture will begin to thicken. Then, begin adding the remaining oil in a thin, steady stream. Scrape down the sides of the processor and pour the mayonnaise into a small bowl. Mix in the black pepper and parsley, cover, and refrigerate; may be kept for up to 3 days.
- To prepare the soft-shell crabs: Pour the buttermilk in a shallow bowl large enough to hold all the crabs. Season the buttermilk with crab boil seasoning, salt, and pepper. Lay the crabs in the buttermilk mixture and marinate, covered, in the refrigerator for 1 hour; soaking the crabs in buttermilk helps plump them up when cooked. Remove the crabs from the milk bath and let the excess drip off.
- Pour 2 inches of oil in a heavy frying pan or large pot and heat to 350 degrees F.
- Put the flour in a pie dish or plate and season with a fair amount of salt and pepper. Dredge the crabs in the seasoned flour to coat, shaking off the excess. Lay the crabs in the hot oil in a single layer without crowding; you may have to fry them in batches. Be careful, the crabs have a tendency to pop and spatter. Cook the crabs for about 3 minutes on each side, turning once, until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
- To build the sandwich: Spread the lemon pepper mayonnaise on both halves of the toasted bread, add the lettuce, tomato, bacon, and avocado. Lay a fried soft-shell crab on top and close up the sandwich.
ALMOND CRUSTED SOFT-SHELL CRAB, WITH A FENNEL AND ARTICHOKE SALAD WITH ROASTED ALMOND PUREE
Steps:
- Peel the oranges, leaving no pith, and segment ("V" cut between the membranes). Cut the segments into a small dice. Reserve the juice for the vinaigrette.
- Peel the carrot and shave on a mandoline with the julienne attachment.
- Peel off the outer leaves of the artichoke. Peel the skin at the base. Cut the top of the artichoke where the leaves start. Remove the choke. Cut into 4 wedges. Juice half the lemon in a quart of water and add to a saucepot. Add the cleaned artichoke and simmer until tender. Refresh in cold water and reserve.
- Peel the fennel and shave on a mandolin. Hold in acidulated water (water to cover with the other half of the lemon squeezed into it) until ready to use.
- Heat oil to 350 degrees F.
- Trim the bottom flap, eyes, and lungs of the crabs with a pair of kitchen scissors. Reserve.
- Submerge the crabs in the Tempura Batter. Sprinkle the top with the almonds. Deep-fry until golden brown. Drain on paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Reserve.
- Add the salad to a mixing bowl. Season with salt and pepper and 1/2 of the vinaigrette. Arrange in the center of a plate. Arrange the crabs atop. Make 5 pools of the almond puree around the salad. Add the diced blood oranges to the remaining vinaigrette and drizzle around.
- Put the rice flour, salt, and pepper into a mixing bowl and form a well in the center. Add the egg yolk and water to the center of the bowl all at once. Whisk, starting from the center slowly moving outward, incorporating the dry ingredients. Stop mixing when just incorporated. Reserve until ready to use in a cold place.
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
- Toast the almonds on a cookie sheet until golden brown. Add the butter to a saucepot and cook over medium-high heat until golden brown. Remove from the heat and add the vinegar, juice, salt, pepper, and nuts. Reserve.
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
- Toast the almonds on a cookie sheet until golden brown. Add to a saucepot along with the chicken stock and simmer until the nuts are tender. Puree in a food processor until smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and olive oil. Pass through fine strainer. Put in a squirt bottle. Reserve warm until ready to use.
SAUTEED SOFT-SHELL CRABS WITH GARLIC AND BUTTER
Provided by Food Network
Categories appetizer
Time 32m
Yield 3 appetizer servings
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Season crabs with salt and pepper and dredge in the flour, shaking off excess. Set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium high heat, add the oil and saute the crabs until soft, about 2 minutes on each side. Remove the crabs and set aside. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Then add the capers and white wine. Cook until wine has reduced to about 1/2. Swirl in the butter and the chopped chives. Season with salt and pepper.
- Transfer crabs to a plate, spoon sauce over the crabs and garnish with Essence.
- Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container.
- Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch. Published by William and Morrow, 1993.
SOFT-SHELL CRAB WITH LEMON HERB BUTTER AND SPRING VEGETABLE RAGOUT
Steps:
- Clean the crabs and remove the air sacs by lifting the bib on both sides. In a stainless bowl, add the milk and buttermilk and place the crabs in it to coat.
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour and salt and pepper, to taste.
- In a non-corrosive pan over high heat, add 2 tablespoons of water. Bring to a boil and gradually whisk in the butter, lowering the heat and whisking constantly until all is incorporated. Keep warm.
- Bring 4 saucepans of salted water to a boil. Blanche the haricots in one, the favas in another, the peas in a third and asparagus in a fourth. When just cooked, strain the vegetables and add each into separate ice water baths. Strain and reserve the haricots, peas and peel the favas, keeping cool. When favas are cooled, peel outer skin and reserve. Cut the asparagus on the bias.
- In a saute pan, add 1 ounce of the butter sauce and over medium heat, add the shallots. Sweat until transparent and add the garlic and cook 1 minute more. Saute the scallions (or pearl onions) and radishes until warmed through. They should still be crisp. Add the blanched favas, haricots verts, peas and roasted scallions or pearl onions and cook a few more minutes. Check salt and pepper and add savory. Keep warm.
- Preheat and oven to 375 degrees F.
- Remove the soft-shell crabs from the milk mixture and shake off excess. Dip into seasoned flour and shake off any excess.
- In a saute pan over medium heat, add the vegetable oil and when hot, add the soft-shells, top down. Saute about 2 minutes until brown and crisp and turn. Place in an oven for 2 to 3 minutes until cooked through. Remove from pan and wipe out, keeping crabs warm. Deglaze with the lemon juice, add the butter sauce, tarragon and chervil; do not boil.
- On 4 warm plates, place about 1/2-cup of the vegetable mixture and 1 soft-shell crab, surround with the butter herb sauce.
PAN-FRIED SOFT-SHELL CRABS
Boom! Pan-fried soft-shell crabs served with lemon-butter and an Asian-inspired ginger and scallion soy sauce.
Provided by ERIKIM21
Time 20m
Yield 3
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Combine flour and seafood seasoning in a resealable zip-top bag. Seal and shake to mix. Combine egg and milk in a bowl. Dredge crabs in egg mixture, then add to seasoned flour and shake to coat. Shake off excess when removing from bag.
- Heat olive oil in a large saute pan or skillet over medium heat. Add crabs in a single layer and cook for 3 minutes; flip and cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes more. Remove to a serving dish.
- Mix mayonnaise, chives, pickle juice, mustard, seafood seasoning, lemon juice, salt, and pepper together for remoulade. Serve with crabs.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 516.2 calories, Carbohydrate 10.8 g, Cholesterol 100.4 mg, Fat 48 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 10.8 g, SaturatedFat 7.2 g, Sodium 1224.1 mg, Sugar 1.4 g
SHEILA'S SAUTEED SOFT-SHELL CRABS WITH LEMON BUTTER SAUCE
When my boyfriend told me soft-shell crabs was one of his favorite dishes, I knew I was in trouble. I had never made them before, so I realized I was in for a long learning process. Well, I think I have finally mastered it. As a matter of fact, when we were recently out to dinner, he ordered some soft-shell crabs and then proclaimed (with surprise) that they weren't near as good as mine! So, I will share my success with you.
Provided by JackieOhNo
Categories Crab
Time 25m
Yield 3 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In Ziploc bag, add flour and Old Bay seasoning. Seal and shake to mix.
- In bowl, combine eggs and milk.
- Dredge crabs in egg mixture, then add to seasoned flour and shake to coat. Shake off excess when removing from bag.
- Heat 3 T. oil in large saute pan or skillet over medium heat. Add 3 crabs in a single layer and cook for about 3 minutes, then turn and cook for another 3 minutes. The crabs should be nice and golden brown. (Be careful when cooking, because they sometimes will pop and/or spatter.) Remove crabs to serving dish.
- Heat remaining 3 T. oil in pan, then add the next 3 crabs and repeat cooking instructions.
- Do not clean out pan when crabs are removed, but add butter. Let the butter melt and turn a little brown. Add the capers and the wine. Cook for about 1 minute, then add the lemon juice and the parsley. Cook for about 2 more minutes, or until reduced by about a third. Pour sauce over the crabs and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 665.1, Fat 47, SaturatedFat 14.9, Cholesterol 198.8, Sodium 485.7, Carbohydrate 38.4, Fiber 1.6, Sugar 2.3, Protein 17
SOFT-SHELL CRABS
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Seafood Recipes
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Line a baking sheet with paper towels; set aside. Combine flour, salt, and pepper in a large shallow dish. Dredge crabs in seasoned flour, tapping off excess; set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add butter and oil to skillet. When butter has melted, add crabs and cook until deep golden brown, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer crabs to a prepared baking sheet to drain. Sprinkle with salt. Serve immediately with lemon wedges.
SAUTEED SOFT-SHELL CRABS
Provided by Marian Burros
Categories dinner, lunch, main course
Time 20m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- To clean the crabs: With a small knife cut off the apron at the rear of the body. Turn the crab and cut off the face at the point just behind the eyes. Lift each point of the crab at the sides and with your fingers clean out the feathery gills. Wash under cold water.
- Toast almonds until golden.
- Season flour with salt and pepper and dredge crabs lightly in flour. heat butter and oil in 1 or 2 skillets large enough to hold the crabs in a single layer and saute about 3 minutes on each side, until golden. Top with almonds and serve with lemon wedges.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 230, UnsaturatedFat 12 grams, Carbohydrate 3 grams, Fat 20 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 12 grams, SaturatedFat 6 grams, Sodium 193 milligrams, Sugar 0 grams, TransFat 0 grams
SOFT-SHELL CRAB WITH LEMON BUTTER
Make and share this Soft-Shell Crab With Lemon Butter recipe from Food.com.
Provided by ratherbeswimmin
Categories Crab
Time 42m
Yield 2 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Make the coating: in a shallow dish, stir the all the coating ingredients together.
- Remove the feeler underneath the crab shells on both sides; rinse the crab and dry carefully.
- In a big skillet over medium heat, melt the butter with the vegetable oil; add in shallots and saute until lightly softened, about 1 minute.
- Roll the crabs in the flour mixture and place them in the skillet; saute, turning once, for about 3 minutes on each side.
- When they have finished cooking and have turned pink, add the lemon juice, garlic, parsley, and salt and pepper to taste and cook another minute or two.
- Make sure the garlic is cooked but not browned; taste for seasoning.
- Transfer the crabs to individual plates and garnish with lemon and parsley; serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 411.3, Fat 31, SaturatedFat 15.7, Cholesterol 126.5, Sodium 253.2, Carbohydrate 16.8, Fiber 0.8, Sugar 0.9, Protein 17.6
Tips:
- Choose the freshest soft-shell crabs available. Look for crabs that are lively and have a bright, greenish-brown color.
- Clean the crabs thoroughly before cooking. Remove the gills and mouthparts, and rinse the crabs under cold water.
- Use a light hand when dredging the crabs in flour. Too much flour will make the crabs heavy and greasy.
- Fry the crabs in hot oil until they are golden brown and crispy. Do not overcrowd the pan, or the crabs will not cook evenly.
- Serve the crabs immediately with lemon wedges, aioli, or your favorite dipping sauce.
Conclusion:
Soft-shell crabs are a delicious and versatile seafood dish. They can be fried, grilled, or steamed, and they can be served with a variety of sauces and accompaniments. With their delicate flavor and crispy texture, soft-shell crabs are a surefire hit with seafood lovers of all ages.
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