Chinese Mitten Crab Stir-Fry

Ingredients

• 2 Chinese Mitten Crabs 2 Chinese Mitten Crabs
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 onion, thinly sliced 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 carrot, julienned 1 carrot, julienned
• 1 teaspoon ginger, grated 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sugar 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch, dissolved in 2 tablespoons water 1 teaspoon cornstarch, dissolved in 2 tablespoons water
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 10g, 1.5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 15g, 5g
• Protein: 25g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Clean the Chinese Mitten Crabs by removing the top shell and gills. Rinse the crabs thoroughly and pat them dry.
2. 2.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat.
3. 3.
   Add the sliced onion and minced garlic to the wok and stir-fry for 2 minutes until fragrant.
4. 4.
   Add the sliced bell peppers, julienned carrot, and grated ginger to the wok. Stir-fry for another 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are slightly tender.
5. 5.
   Push the vegetables to one side of the wok and add the cleaned crabs. Stir-fry the crabs for 5-6 minutes until they turn bright orange.
6. 6.
   In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, and cornstarch mixture.
7. 7.
   Pour the sauce over the crabs and vegetables in the wok. Stir-fry for an additional 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the ingredients evenly.
8. 8.
   Season with salt and pepper to taste.
9. 9.
   Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve hot with steamed rice.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Chinese Mitten Crab — Make sure to clean the crabs thoroughly before cooking by removing the top shell and gills. Rinse them well to remove any sand or impurities.
• Ginger — Grate the ginger finely to release its aromatic flavors and ensure even distribution throughout the dish.
• Cornstarch — Dissolve the cornstarch in water before adding it to the dish to prevent lumps and ensure a smooth sauce.

Tips & Tricks

• To enhance the flavor, marinate the cleaned crabs in a mixture of soy sauce, ginger, and garlic for 30 minutes before stir-frying.
• For a spicier kick, add a teaspoon of chili paste or crushed red pepper flakes to the stir-fry sauce.
• If Chinese Mitten Crabs are not available, you can substitute them with other types of crab meat or even shrimp.
• Adjust the seasoning according to your taste preferences by adding more soy sauce or oyster sauce if desired.
• Serve the stir-fry immediately to enjoy the perfect balance of textures and flavors.

Serving advice

Serve the Chinese Mitten Crab Stir-Fry hot with steamed rice. Garnish with fresh cilantro for added freshness and aroma.

Presentation advice

Arrange the stir-fried crab and vegetables on a large serving platter, allowing the vibrant colors to shine through. Garnish with sprigs of fresh cilantro for an elegant touch.