Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise, preferably homemade
- 2 tablespoons ground chili paste (recommended: Sambal Oelek)
- 1 teaspoon hot pepper sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon rice wine vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon soy sauce
- Vegetable oil, for deep frying
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Essence, plus more for garnishing
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 1/2 cups panko (Japanese bread crumbs)
- 4 large soft shell crabs, cleaned
- 2 scallions, thinly sliced on the diagonal, for garnishing
Directions
In a small bowl whisk together the mayonnaise, chili paste, sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, and soy sauce. Set aside while you prepare the crabs.
Heat at least 4 inches of oil in a large heavy saucepan or Dutch oven or a deep-fryer to 350 degrees F.
Combine the flour and half of the Essence in a shallow bowl. Stir to blend well. In another shallow bowl whisk the eggs and milk together with the remaining Essence. Place the panko in a third shallow bowl.
Dredge each crab first in the flour, shaking to remove any excess, then in the egg wash, and finally in the panko. Set aside on a plate while you prepare the remaining crabs.
When the oil has reached the desired temperature, fry the crabs, 1 at a time, until golden brown and crispy on both sides, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer to paper towels to drain while you fry the remaining crabs.
Drizzle about 2 tablespoons of the Spicy Mayonnaise around the perimeter of each of 4 dinner plates and top each plate with a crab. Garnish with the scallions and a little extra Essence around the edge of the plate. Serve immediately.
Photo: Panko-Dusted Soft Shell Crabs with Spicy Mayonnaise Drizzle Recipe
















Review This Recipe
You must be logged in to review this recipe.
or Sign Up to Review
Newest Ratings and Reviews
Read all 4 reviews
By dd421
Alexandria, VA
on September 15, 2012
Flag
Flag This Review?
Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.
or Cancel
Mmmm, so good! This was the first time we made soft shell crab. It's totally worth it to make the Essence for it. The crabs came out extra crispy and delicious. I would halve the mayo recipe next time, since we had a lot left over.
By sadataki_4494620
Richfield, OH
on April 10, 2008
Flag
Flag This Review?
Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.
or Cancel
The "Essence" in the recipe combined with the chile sambal in the mayo combines to totally mask the subtle flavor of the soft shell crab. All you can taste is spice. If you love the flavor of soft shell crab, try something else.
By tinalouiseking
matthews, NC
on April 25, 2007
Flag
Flag This Review?
Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.
or Cancel
This is great quick recipe!
Read all 4 reviews