If you're looking for a seafood dish that's packed with flavour, then you should try making white pepper crab. This dish is a popular Singaporean recipe that's known for its spicy kick and fragrant aroma. It's made by stir-frying crab in a mixture of oyster sauce, soy sauce, and white pepper, which gives it a unique taste that's both savoury and pungent.
To make white pepper crab, you'll need to start by preparing the crab. This involves cleaning and chopping the crab, as well as crushing or grinding white peppercorns to use as a seasoning. Once the crab is ready, you can start cooking the dish by frying onions, garlic, and ginger in a wok or pan. Then, you'll add the crab and the seasonings, and stir-fry everything together until the crab is cooked through.
If you're new to making white pepper crab, you might have some questions about the recipe. For example, you might be wondering what kind of crab to use, or how to adjust the seasonings to suit your taste. In this article, we'll answer some of the most frequently asked questions about making white pepper crab, so you can cook up a delicious and authentic dish that's sure to impress your friends and family.
Key Takeaways
- White pepper crab is a popular Singaporean dish that's made by stir-frying crab in a mixture of oyster sauce, soy sauce, and white pepper.
- To make white pepper crab, you'll need to prepare the crab by cleaning and chopping it, as well as crushing or grinding white peppercorns to use as a seasoning.
- If you're new to making white pepper crab, you might have some questions about the recipe, such as what kind of crab to use or how to adjust the seasonings to suit your taste.
Preparing the Crab
Preparing the crab is an essential step in making a delicious white pepper crab dish. Here are the steps to follow for selecting, cleaning, cutting and cracking the crab.
Selecting the Crab
When selecting a crab, look for one that is alive and active. Live mud crab or blue swimmer crab are great options for this recipe. You can also use dungeness crab if it is available in your area.
Cleaning and Cutting
Before cooking, it is important to clean the crab. Start by killing the crab by placing it in the freezer for 20-30 minutes. This will put the crab to sleep and make it easier to handle. Once the crab is dead, remove the gills and clean the body thoroughly.
Next, cut the crab into pieces. Using a sharp knife, remove the claws and legs from the body. Cut the body into quarters and crack the shell slightly to allow the sauce to penetrate.
Cracking the Claws
To crack the claws, use a pair of crab crackers or a small hammer. Gently tap the claws to break the shell and remove the meat. Be careful not to crush the meat while cracking the shell.
Now that you have prepared the crab, you are ready to move on to making the white pepper crab sauce.
Cooking the Dish
Making the Paste
To start with, you need to make a paste by crushing white peppercorns, garlic, ginger, and shallots together. You can use a pestle and mortar or a blender to make a smooth paste. Set this paste aside for later.
Stir-Frying the Crab
Heat some oil in a wok over high heat. Add the crab pieces and stir-fry them until the shell turns bright orange and the meat almost cooked. This should take around 5 minutes. Remove the crab pieces from the wok and set them aside.
Simmering with Sauces
Add butter, the paste you made earlier, oyster sauce, soy sauce, chicken stock, and a little bit of sugar to the wok. Stir everything together and let it simmer for a few minutes. Mix some cornflour with water to make a slurry and add it to the wok to thicken the sauce. You can also add some cream or beaten egg to the sauce for extra richness.
Finishing Touches and Serving
Add the crab pieces back into the wok and toss them in the sauce. Cover the wok with a lid and let the crab simmer in the sauce for a few more minutes until the meat is fully cooked. Transfer the crab and sauce to a serving dish and garnish with some chopped spring onions and coriander leaves. Serve hot with some mantou buns on the side.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ingredients do I need for a classic white pepper crab dish?
To make a classic white pepper crab dish, you will need fresh crabs, white peppercorns, oyster sauce, soy sauce, garlic, onion, sugar, and oil for frying. You can also add other ingredients like ginger, scallions, and chili to enhance the flavour.
How do I properly clean and prepare crabs for cooking?
To clean and prepare crabs for cooking, start by removing the top shell and gills. Rinse the crabs under cold water and remove the claws and legs. Crack the claws and legs with a mallet to make it easier to eat. Remove the yellowish substance inside the crab and rinse again. Now, your crabs are ready to be cooked.
Can you suggest a simple method to cook white pepper crab at home?
One simple method to cook white pepper crab at home is to heat oil in a wok or large frying pan. Add garlic and onion and fry until fragrant. Add white peppercorns and fry for another minute. Add the crabs and stir to coat with the spices. Add oyster sauce, soy sauce, and sugar and stir until the crabs are cooked through. Serve hot with bread or rice.
What's the secret to getting that authentic flavour in a white pepper crab recipe?
The secret to getting an authentic flavour in a white pepper crab recipe is to use fresh ingredients, especially the crabs. Make sure to clean and prepare the crabs properly and use high-quality spices like white peppercorns. You can also add other ingredients like ginger, scallions, and chili to enhance the flavour.
Are there any good substitutes for white pepper in crab recipes?
If you don't have white pepper, you can use black pepper or a combination of black and red pepper. However, the flavour will be slightly different from the traditional white pepper crab dish.
How long should I cook the crabs to ensure they're done but not overcooked?
Cooking time for crabs depends on the size and type of crab. As a general rule, you should cook crabs for about 12-15 minutes until they are cooked through but not overcooked. Overcooked crabs will be tough and rubbery, while undercooked crabs will be raw and unsafe to eat.