| Black Pepper Crab is a simple recipe, but you need to remember to wear the kind of outfit where you don’t mind splattering crab over yourself as you dive arms in for this delicious crab goodness. I discovered oyster sauce for the first time when I tried making black pepper crab and I’m now addicted. It’s hoisin-saucey but with a bit more spice to it, and manages to be sweet without being cloying. It’s a revelation. I will also caveat this recipe by saying that I’ve never cooked fresh crab. I’m mildly terrified of the image of a crab struggling in a pot of water, so I proudly play chicken and buy frozen pre-cooked crab legs instead. If you can make this with fresh crab then you’re a braver soul than I am, Gunga Din! |
Black Pepper Crab
Go arms in for this saucy black pepper crab dish that's sweet and spicy all at the same time!
Ingredients
Ingredients for the sauce
- 2 tbsp Oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp Soy sauce
- 1 tsp Sugar
- 3 tbsp Water
Other ingredients
- 10 pieces Frozen pre-cooked crab legs
- 2 stalks Green onions
- 0.5 cup Cilantro leaves
- 2 Dried red chilis
- 1 tsp Coriander powder
- 3 tbsp Black pepper powder
- 2 tsp Garlic paste
- 1 tsp Ginger paste
- 1.5 tsp Butter
- 1.5 cups Water
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the oyster sauce, soy sauce, sugar and water. This is your sauce mixture.
- Chop the green onions and cilantro leaves and then set aside. You will be using this as garnish.
- Once you start making this dish, things will have to come together very quickly, so make sure you have the rest of your ingredients at hand.
- Heat butter in a large wok. You’ll want a wok with a lid of some kind.
- When hot, lower the heat to medium and add chilis, ginger paste and garlic paste. Remember that it will sputter because the ginger and garlic pastes contain water. I use the lid of a pot as a shield and would suggest you use one as well.
- Add coriander powder and half of the black pepper. Stir fry for 45 seconds.
- Then add the sauce mixture.
- Add the crab followed by 1.5 cups water.
- Close the wok with the lid and keep on medium high heat for 10-12 mins.
- Stir frequently and add water if the mixture is getting dry.
- The crab legs will be fully warm when ready. Garnish with cilantro leaves and spring onions!
Haven’t tried oyster sauce before
So delicious!!
Wow.