Cracked Crab with Lemongrass, Black Pepper, and Basil

Name: Cracked Crab with Lemongrass, Black Pepper, and Basil
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Yield: Serves 4
Ingredients: 2 stalks fresh lemongrass, ends trimmed and coarse leaves discarded; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh ginger; 1 tablespoon chopped garlic; ¼ cup honey; ¼ cup reduced-sodium soy sauce; 1 ½ tablespoons freshly ground black pepper; 3 fully cooked Dungeness crabs (about 2 lbs. each), cleaned, legs cracked, and bodies quartered; 3 tablespoons peanut oil or vegetable oil; 1 cup loosely packed cilantro sprigs; 1 cup loosely packed Thai basil leaves or small regular basil leaves

2 Ratings
2 Reviews

Big, bold Southeast Asian flavors team up in a perfect balance of salty, sweet, hot, and aromatic.

This Story Originally Appeared On sunset.com

Gallery

Credit: Peden & Munk; Styling: Amy Wilson

Recipe Summary

total:

1 hr 15 mins

Yield:

Serves 4

Nutrition Info

Directions

Step 1
Chop lemongrass. Put in a food processor with ginger and garlic; whirl until minced. Scrape into a large bowl and stir in honey, soy sauce, and pepper. Add crabs and stir to coat well. Cover, then chill at least 15 minutes or up to 1 hour.

Advertisement
Step 2
Pour oil into a 14-in. wok or a wide 8- to 10-qt. pot over medium-high heat. With a slotted spoon, add crabs (reserve marinade). Cover and cook, stirring often, 5 minutes (omit this cooking time if using fully cooked crabs).
Step 3
Uncover pan, add marinade, and cook, stirring often, until crabs are steaming and meat is opaque, about 5 minutes.
Step 4
Stir in cilantro and basil, then transfer crabs and juices to a serving bowl.
Step 5
Note: Nutritional analysis is per serving.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:

351 calories; calories from fat 35%; protein 35g; fat 13g; saturated fat 2.1g; carbohydrates 23g; fiber 2g; sodium 1060mg; cholesterol 163mg.

Sort by: Newest

Newest Oldest

cookinuptrouble

01/02/2014

The minute I saw this recipe, I knew I wanted to make it -- the overall flavor palate was so appealing. I made the dish exactly as the recipe is written, cooked exactly as prescribed. The result was pure black pepper. The 1 1/2 tablespoons completely overpowered the other ingredients. Given the expense of the crab and the extensive time it took to make the dish, it will be a while before I try it again. For sure, I'll start with a third as much pepper and go from there.

cookJane

12/24/2008

I love this recipe. I made it twice already and received many compliments. Simply excellent. I followed the recipe exactly. The basil leaves and ginger added a special taste to the dish. I will surely use the again.

Back to Cracked Crab with Lemongrass, Black Pepper, and Basil

All Reviews for Cracked Crab with Lemongrass, Black Pepper, and Basil

- of Reviews

55+ Easy Dinner Recipes for Busy Weeknights

The Brilliant Secret to Making Better Mashed Potatoes

65 Super Easy Finger Foods to Make for Any Party

Cracked Crab with Lemongrass, Black Pepper, and Basil

Gallery

Recipe Summary

Ingredients

Directions

Nutrition Facts

Reviews (2)

All Reviews for Cracked Crab with Lemongrass, Black Pepper, and Basil

Account

Cracked Crab with Lemongrass, Black Pepper, and Basil

Gallery

Recipe Summary

Ingredients

Directions

Nutrition Facts

Reviews (2)

All Reviews for Cracked Crab with Lemongrass, Black Pepper, and Basil