Search Inspiration

No idea what to search for? Start browsing till you find something.

Home Recipes

Fried Soft-shell Crabs with Creamy Shrimp Sauce Recipe

Ingredients

How to make it

  • Preheat the oil in a large saucepan or deep fryer to 360 degrees F.
  • Rinse crabs in water, then pat dry with paper towel. Season each crab with the cajun spice and set aside.
  • Combine flour with 4 teaspoons of cajun spice, salt and ground black pepper and stir to combine well. Beat the egg with a splash of water in a shallow dish. Lay out the breadcrumbs in a separate shallow dish.
  • Lightly dredge each crab in the seasoned flour, making sure that the crabs are completely coated. Dip each crab in eggwash to cover, then coat in bread crumbs.
  • Holding the crabs by long tongs or balanced on a small skimmer, hold them so that the legs dangle down into the hot oil and fry for 1 minute, or until the legs are stiff. Lower the crab completely into the oil and fry until golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes. Turn crab over and allow to fry an additional 2 to 3 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy all over. Carefully transfer crabs to paper-lined plates to drain briefly before serving. Sprinkle with more cajun spice when still hot.
  • In a large skillet over medium high heat melt 2 tablespoons of the butter and saute the shallots until soft, about 2 minutes. Add the shrimp seasoned with cajun spice blend and saute for 1 minute, or until the shrimp turn pink around the edges. remove from the pan to a bowl. Add the shrimp stock/fish stock/clam juice, bring to a boil and cook over high heat until the stock is reduced by half. Add the heavy cream and cook until sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 3 minutes. Add the shrimp back in, fresh thyme and snipped chives and cook until heated through. Whisk in the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter and remove sauce from the heat. Taste, adjust seasoning if necessary, and serve the ragu ladled over the fried softshell crabs.
  Close

Reviews & Comments 2

Add a Link?

Post a link to another recipe or group by pasting the url into the box where you want it to show up. We'll do the rest.

Post Message or cancel
    " It was good "
    PoconoBABs ate it and said...
    Great recipe. Especially for folks who have never had Softshell... leaves plenty of leeway for creativity/additions for those who are not novices too.
    Was this review helpful? Yes Flag
  • keni 12 years ago
    ...I'm in the south, but not south enough. :( One of the things I've always wanted to try was soft shell crab straight from one of the bays. Great recipe.
    Was this review helpful? Yes Flag
  • pkusmc 12 years ago
    Absolutely LOVE softshell crab. Had them last time I was down south. You can't find them where I'm from, though, unless you buy frozen.
    Was this review helpful? Yes Flag

The Cook

luisascatering Burlingame, CA

Maybe List
Hang onto this recipe

while I look at others.
Holding 0 recipes