Crabs are a delicacy enjoyed in various cuisines around the world, and one particularly delectable way to prepare them is with a spicy sweet and sour sauce. This recipe combines the succulent taste of crab with the tangy kick of a sweet and sour sauce infused with a spicy twist. Here's how you can whip up this tantalizing dish in your kitchen.
Ingredients:
- 2 whole crabs, cleaned and cracked
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red chili, thinly sliced
- 1 green chili, thinly sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 1 cup pineapple chunks
- 3 tablespoons tomato ketchup
- 2 tablespoons chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons vinegar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- Salt to taste
- Chopped spring onions for garnish
Instructions:
- Heat vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and sliced chilies. Sauté until fragrant.
- Add sliced onion and bell pepper to the wok. Stir-fry until they start to soften.
- Toss in the cleaned and cracked crabs. Stir-fry for about 5 minutes until they turn pink.
- In a bowl, mix together tomato ketchup, chili sauce, soy sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, and salt. Pour this sauce over the crabs in the wok.
- Add pineapple chunks to the wok and stir well to combine.
- Let the crabs simmer in the sauce for another 5-7 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the crabs evenly.
- Once the crabs are cooked through and the sauce has thickened, remove from heat.
- Garnish with chopped spring onions before serving.
Tips:
- Choose live and fresh crabs for the best flavor and texture.
- Be careful not to overcook the crabs, as they can become tough and rubbery.
- Adjust the amount of chili according to your spice preference. You can remove the seeds for a milder heat.
- Serve with steamed rice to complement the flavors of the spicy sweet and sour sauce.
Variations:
- Substitute crab with shrimp or lobster for a different twist on this dish.
- Add other vegetables like carrots, snow peas, or baby corn for extra crunch and flavor.
- For a richer sauce, add a tablespoon of oyster sauce or hoisin sauce.