If you enjoy seafood and Chinese food, then you're in for a treat with this salted egg crab recipe. An iconic dish in Singapore, its appeal is undeniable. The delectable combination of a rich, creamy sauce with the sweet and succulent crab meat makes for a truly luxurious and comforting meal.
To make this dish, you'll need to start with fresh, high-quality crab. While mud crabs are the traditional choice, you can also use other types of crab, such as blue crabs or Dungeness crabs. The key is to choose crabs that are meaty and flavorful, so that they can hold up to the rich sauce.
Once you've got your crab, it's time to get started on the sauce. This recipe uses a combination of salted egg yolks, butter, chillies, and curry leaves to create a sauce that's both savoury and spicy. The result is a dish that's sure to impress your dinner guests. So why not give it a try and see for yourself how delicious salted egg crab can be?
Key Takeaways
- Salted egg crab is a popular Chinese-style seafood dish that's both rich and comforting.
- To make this dish, you'll need fresh, meaty crab, as well as a combination of salted egg yolks, butter, chillies, and curry leaves.
- This dish pairs well with other seafood dishes, such as prawn stir-fry or steamed fish.
Understanding Salted Egg Crab
If you're a fan of seafood, you've probably heard of salted egg crab. This dish is a popular Chinese-style seafood recipe that's known for its rich, savoury flavour. Here's what you need to know about this delicious dish.
Origins of Salted Egg Crab
Salted egg crab is said to have originated in Singapore, where it's become a staple dish in many seafood restaurants. The dish is typically made with fresh mud crabs that are cooked in a sauce made from salted egg yolks, butter, curry leaves, and chilli peppers. The result is a rich, creamy sauce that pairs perfectly with the sweet, succulent meat of the crab.
Key Ingredients
The key ingredient in salted egg crab, as the name suggests, is salted egg yolks. These are eggs that have been cured in a mixture of salt and water, which gives them a unique flavour and texture. The yolks are then mashed and added to the sauce, where they help to thicken and flavour it.
Other key ingredients in salted egg crab include butter, curry leaves, and chilli peppers. The butter adds richness and depth to the sauce, while the curry leaves and chilli peppers provide a spicy, aromatic flavour that complements the sweetness of the crab.
If you're looking to make salted egg crab at home, you'll need to start with fresh, high-quality crab. While mud crabs are the traditional choice, you can also use other types of crab or even other types of seafood, such as prawns or lobster. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time and sauce ingredients accordingly.
In summary, salted egg crab is a delicious Chinese-style seafood dish that's known for its rich, savoury flavour. With its unique combination of salted egg yolks, butter, curry leaves, and chilli peppers, it's a dish that's sure to impress your guests and satisfy your cravings for something sweet and savoury.
Preparation Essentials
Choosing the Right Crab
When it comes to preparing salted egg crab, using the right type of crab is essential. The most commonly used crab for this recipe is the mud crab. Mud crabs are known for their sweet and succulent meat, which makes them perfect for this dish. However, if you can't find mud crabs, you can use other types of crab such as blue swimmer crab or Dungeness crab.
When buying crabs, make sure they are fresh and alive. Look for crabs that are heavy for their size and have all their legs intact. Avoid crabs that have a foul smell or are missing legs.
Preparing the Salted Egg Yolks
Cooked salted egg yolks are a key ingredient in this recipe. To prepare them, start by boiling the eggs for about 10 minutes. Once they are cooked, separate the yolks from the whites and discard the whites.
Next, spread the yolks out on a baking sheet and bake them in the oven at 150°C for about 10-15 minutes. This will help to dry them out and make them easier to mash.
Once the yolks are dry, mash them into a fine powder using a fork or a pestle and mortar. You can also use a food processor to make the process quicker and easier.
Now that you have prepared your crab and salted egg yolks, you are ready to start cooking your salted egg crab! Don't forget to crack the crab claws before cooking to make it easier to eat. If you want to add more seafood, you can also use prawns or lobster in this recipe.
Cooking Techniques
Steaming the Crab
To prepare the crab for the salted egg sauce, you can either boil or steam it. Steaming the crab is a better option as it retains the natural flavour of the crab. To steam the crab, place it in a steamer basket and steam it for about 15 minutes or until fully cooked. Once the crab is cooked, remove it from the steamer and let it cool down before cracking the shell and separating the meat from the shell.
Making the Salted Egg Sauce
The salted egg sauce is the star of this dish. To make the sauce, start by frying garlic and curry leaves in a wok with some oil until fragrant. Then, add the mashed salted egg yolks and butter, and stir until the butter has melted. Next, add some chilli and continue to stir the mixture until it starts to foam. Finally, add some evaporated milk and sugar, and continue to stir until the sauce has thickened.
To make this dish even more delicious, you can add some seafood to the mix. Prawns, clams or squid are great options that complement the crab and the salted egg sauce. Simply add them to the wok and fry them with the garlic and curry leaves before adding the salted egg yolks.
Remember to use a good quality wok and oil suitable for high-temperature frying to achieve the best results. With these simple cooking techniques, you can create a mouth-watering salted egg crab dish that will impress your guests and leave them asking for more.
Assembling the Dish
Coating the Crab with Sauce
Now that you have prepared the sauce, it's time to coat the crab with it. First, heat up some vegetable oil in a wok or large frying pan. Once the oil is hot, add the crab pieces to the pan and stir-fry them for a few minutes until they are evenly coated with the sauce.
Next, add a few tablespoons of evaporated milk to the pan and stir-fry the crab for another minute or two until the sauce has thickened and the crab is fully cooked. Be careful not to overcook the crab, as it can become tough and rubbery if left in the pan for too long.
Final Touches
Once the crab is cooked, it's time to add the final touches to the dish. Sprinkle some chopped fresh curry leaves over the top of the crab to give it a fragrant and aromatic flavour. You can also add a few slices of red chilli to the dish if you like it spicy.
To thicken the sauce even further, mix together some tapioca flour and potato starch in a small bowl, and then add it to the pan. Stir the mixture until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
Finally, add a few knobs of butter and a pinch of sugar to the pan and stir until the butter has melted and the sugar has dissolved. This will give the sauce a rich and creamy flavour that complements the salted egg yolk perfectly.
Seafood lovers can also use prawns or lobster instead of crab to make this dish. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly, as these seafood options may require less time in the pan.
That's it! Your delicious salted egg yolk crab is now ready to be served. Enjoy it with some steamed rice and a side of stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal.
Serving and Pairing
Accompaniments
Salted egg crab is a fragrant, creamy, and slightly spicy dish that pairs well with a variety of sides. To balance out the richness of the crab, consider serving it with some steamed vegetables, such as broccoli or bok choy. The fresh, crisp texture of the vegetables will provide a nice contrast to the creamy sauce.
If you're looking for something more substantial to serve with your salted egg crab, consider adding a seafood dish to the menu. Grilled prawns or steamed clams are both excellent choices. The sweet and umami flavors of the seafood will complement the savory notes of the crab.
For a more traditional Chinese-style meal, consider serving your salted egg crab with some rice or noodles. The starchy base will help to soak up the rich sauce, creating a satisfying and filling meal.
Wine Pairing
When it comes to wine pairing, a light and crisp white wine is the perfect match for salted egg crab. A Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio would be an excellent choice. The acidity of the wine will help to cut through the richness of the dish, while the fruity notes will complement the sweetness of the crab.
If you prefer red wine, look for something with a light body and low tannins. A Pinot Noir or Gamay would be a good choice. The subtle fruitiness of the wine will complement the sweet and umami flavors of the crab, while the low tannins will prevent the wine from overwhelming the delicate flavors of the dish.
Remember to serve your wine chilled, around 10-12°C, to ensure that it complements the dish perfectly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best way to prepare crab for a salted egg sauce?
To prepare crab for a salted egg sauce, it is best to use fresh and live crabs. To clean the crab, remove the gills and rinse the crab with cold water. Then, cut the crab into pieces and crack the shells slightly by pounding them. This will help the sauce to penetrate the crab meat better.
How can you achieve that authentic Chinese style flavour in your salted egg crab dish?
To achieve the authentic Chinese style flavour in your salted egg crab dish, it is important to use the right ingredients. Use good quality salted egg yolks, curry leaves, and chillies. Also, use tapioca flour to coat the crab pieces before frying them. This will give the crab a crispy texture and help the sauce to stick to the crab meat.
Could you suggest any tips for a simple and easy salted egg crab recipe?
For a simple and easy salted egg crab recipe, you can use pre-made salted egg yolks and store-bought curry leaves and chillies. Coat the crab pieces with tapioca flour and deep-fry them until crispy. Then, sauté the garlic and shallots in butter, add the salted egg yolks, chillies, and curry leaves, and stir until fragrant. Finally, add the crab pieces and toss until coated with the sauce.
What are some common sides to serve with salted egg crab?
Some common sides to serve with salted egg crab are steamed rice, stir-fried vegetables, and seafood soup. You can also serve some Chinese buns or mantou to soak up the delicious sauce.
How do you make a salted egg sauce creamy and rich for crab?
To make a salted egg sauce creamy and rich for crab, you can add some evaporated milk to the sauce. This will give the sauce a creamy texture and mellow out the saltiness of the egg yolks. Be careful not to add too much milk, as it can make the sauce too thin.
What's the secret to getting the perfect texture for salted egg crabs?
The secret to getting the perfect texture for salted egg crabs is to coat the crab pieces with tapioca flour before frying them. This will give the crab a crispy texture and help the sauce to stick to the crab meat. Also, be sure to fry the crab pieces until they are golden brown and crispy.