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Preparation
15 minutes
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Cooking
20 minutes
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Difficulty
Easy
Crab is a very nutritious seafood, but apart from the traditional steamed dishes that have become too boring, do you know any new and interesting ways to prepare this ingredient? Right now, let’s cook with TasteVN to make this delicious crab steamed with fish sauce dish!
Ingredients for Steamed Crab with Fish Sauce For 3 people
Sea crab 2 crabs (about 1 – 1.5kg) Coconut water 100 ml Garlic 15 cloves Chili 5 pieces Red onion 10 bulbs Green pepper 10 gr Fish sauce 2 tablespoons Common spices a little (Ground pepper/ monosodium glutamate/ sugar)
How to choose fresh, firm crabs
- Check the claws: You should observe the silky skin (young skin) between the elbow joints on the crab’s claws. If you see a pinkish-red or dark pink color, these are crabs with a lot of meat. Additionally, if this area is smooth and shiny, it indicates a fat crab, while if it is wrinkled, it means the crab is thin and has been left for a long time.
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Crab belly: For firm crabs, when you squeeze the belly with your hand, you will feel it is a bit hard and has a certain firmness. Conversely, if the belly is soft and not firm, those crabs have little meat.
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Crab shell: When you touch the crab shell, if you feel softness, those crabs have poor meat and roe quality.
See details: How to choose fresh sea crabs
Tools needed
How to make steamed crab with fish sauce
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Prepare the crab
First, place the crab in a basin of ice water, which will induce a temporary state of shock, preventing it from pinching you during preparation and ensuring that it doesn’t lose its legs while being steamed.
After soaking for about 10 minutes, the crab will become stiff. At this point, remove the ties and use a toothbrush to scrub each part of the crab thoroughly. Then, rinse the crab again to remove all dirt and impurities.
Once the crab is clean, remove the apron and discard it, as the hair inside the crab’s apron is inedible and can affect the crab’s flavor after cooking.
Tip: To help the crab acclimate to the temperature and avoid thermal shock that may cause it to die, after purchasing the crab, you should place it in a cool area for about 5 minutes before soaking it in water.
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Prepare other ingredients
First, peel the shallots and wash them thoroughly. Be sure to wash the green pepper as well!
For the garlic, peel and chop it finely. Similarly, chop the chili finely.
Next, remove the roots and the wilted tops of the green onions, wash them, and cut them into pieces about 2 finger lengths long.
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Make steamed crab with fish sauce
Put the crab into a pot and place it on the stove. Then, add the chopped chili and garlic along with 2 teaspoons of pepper and the cut green onions.
Next, add 2 tablespoons of fish sauce to enhance the flavor. To increase the richness of the dish, pour in 100ml of coconut water along with 1 tablespoon of sugar and 2 teaspoons of seasoning powder. At this point, mix everything well so that the crab can absorb the seasoning!
Next, add the green pepper and the peeled shallots into the pot; this will enhance the aroma and deliciousness of the dish.
Finally, steam the crab for about 15 minutes until it is fully cooked and ready to enjoy!
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Final product
Steamed crab with fish sauce is sure to attract everyone with its eye-catching color and the aromatic blend of fish sauce with chili, garlic, and onion. The crab meat is soft, juicy, and well-seasoned.
You can enjoy the crab with dipping sauce if you want the dish to have a richer flavor!
How to store crabs for a long time
- Cooked crabs, if not finished, can be stored by placing them in a food storage bag and then putting them in the freezer. Ideally, you should keep cooked crabs in the fridge for a period from lunch to dinner because the longer crabs are stored, the lower the quality and freshness.
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You should avoid storing sea crabs overnight as the protein may break down. This can adversely affect the liver and kidneys, so please be cautious!
See more:
The dish steamed crab with fish sauce will be a breath of fresh air for your family’s meal! Try cooking this dish to treat your loved ones right away! TasteVN wishes you success in making it.
