Soft-Shell Crabs with Oyster Sauce and White Asparagus
Soft-Shell Crabs with Oyster Sauce and White Asparagus
Soft-Shell Crabs with Oyster Sauce and White Asparagus
Soft-Shell Crabs with Oyster Sauce and White Asparagus
Ingredients
- 1 pound white asparagus, peeled, or green asparagus
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, plus more for frying
- 8 medium soft-shell crabs, cleaned and patted dry
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
- Cornstarch, for dredging
- 4 large shallots, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup white wine, preferably Grüner Veltliner
- 1/4 cup oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 300°. Cook the asparagus in a large saucepan of boiling salted water until tender, about 8 minutes, then drain thoroughly.
- In a large skillet, heat 1/2 inch of oil until shimmering. Season the crabs with salt and pepper and dredge in the cornstarch. Add 4 of the crabs to the skillet and fry over moderately high heat until very crunchy, about 4 minutes for the first side and 3 minutes for the second. Transfer to a heatproof plate and keep warm in the oven. Fry the remaining crabs, then keep them warm in the oven while making the sauce.
- In a large skillet, heat the 2 tablespoons of oil. Add the shallots and cook over moderately high heat until lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Add the wine and cook until reduced by about half, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the oyster sauce and simmer until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Add the asparagus and lime juice; toss to coat. Transfer the asparagus and sauce to 4 dinner plates. Top with the crabs and cilantro and serve at once.
Soft-Shell Crabs with Oyster Sauce and White Asparagus
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