A crab recipe to satisfy your seafood cravings. Extra garlicky, buttery, savory, slightly sweet with a hint of spicy. Definitely worth getting your hands messy!
Soak the live crabs in tap water for 30 minutes to purge their internal system. Next place in the freezer for 20 to 30 minutes before cooking.
Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add ginger, and black peppercorns. Add the crabs and cook for 5 to 10 minutes or until they start to float. Transfer to an ice bath to quickly cool down.
Start cleaning by removing the top shell. Cut it in half with a knife. Don’t discard the crab fat. Save it for the sauce later. Remove the gills with your hands. Finally, crack the claws with a mallet or a cracker.
Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
Melt the butter in a large pan over medium heat. Add the chopped garlic and cook until fragrant. Watch carefully to prevent it from burning.
Pourthe sweet chili sauce, oyster sauce, and chicken powder. Continue cooking over low heat. Taste and season with salt and pepper, to taste. If you want it saucier, you can add water, about 1/4 to 1/2 cup.
Add the crabs including the crab fat (butter).Toss until the crab is drenched in the sauce. Simmer for 3 to 5 minutes. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Types of crabs recommended: You can use blue crab, mud crab, Dungeness crab, snow crab, or king crab. Frozen pre-cooked crabs can also be used for convenience.
Butter can be reduced up to 1/2 cup. Replaced with 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup water to make the liquid saucier.