Spicy sambal paste paired with flavorful chili crabs, a delicious and aromatic dish.
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Soak the dried chili in hot water until soft. Remove the seeds and cut the dried chili into small chunks.
Soak the dried shrimps until soft and drain. Slice the ginger. Cut the shallots and garlic into small chunks.
Remove the seeds of the fresh chilies and cut into chunks. Toast the belacan (shrimp paste) in a skillet at low heat until fragrant.
Combine all the sambal ingredients in a food processor, blend with little water till a fine paste.
Heat the cooking oil in a wok, add the blended chili paste into the oil, sauté till aromatic.
Take the crab's carapace off. Wash, scrub, and remove the top shell and the lungs. Cut the crabs in half. Save the female top shell with the yellow crab roe inside. Keep chilled until ready to use.
Combine the tomato sauce, chili sauce, THAI sweet chili sauce, and soya bean paste in a small bowl, mix well.
In a wok, heat the oil to medium-high temperature. Add in the sambal paste and cook until aromatic. Add in the sauce ingredients from step 2.
Add in the crabs and toss well until coated with the sauce. Pour in one cup of water and the top shell containing yellow crab roe. Cover the pot, bring to a boil, then simmer for about 10 minutes until the crab is red and cooked.
Remove the top shell. Stir to ensure all crabs are coated with sauce. Transfer the crabs to a serving plate. Place the top shell on top of the crabs pieces. Garnish with chopped cilantro. Enjoy!
What is the best way to store leftover sweet and sour chili crabs?
To store leftover sweet and sour chili crabs, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate. They can be kept for up to 2 days. When reheating, gently warm them in a pan over low heat to maintain their flavor and texture.
Can I make sweet and sour chili crabs without shrimp paste?
Yes, you can substitute shrimp paste with a vegan alternative like miso paste or simply omit it for a milder flavor. Keep in mind that this may alter the overall taste of the dish, but it will still be delicious!
What are some good side dishes to serve with sweet and sour chili crabs?
Sweet and sour chili crabs pair wonderfully with steamed jasmine rice or fried rice to soak up the flavorful sauce. You can also serve it with a side of stir-fried vegetables for a balanced meal.
How can I adjust the spiciness of the sweet and sour chili crabs?
To adjust the spiciness, you can reduce the amount of dried and fresh chilies used in the sambal paste. Alternatively, you can add more sugar or sweet chili sauce to balance the heat if you find it too spicy.
What is the cooking process for making sweet and sour chili crabs?
The cooking process involves soaking and preparing the chilies and shrimp paste, blending them into a sambal paste, sautéing it in oil, and then adding the crabs along with a mixture of sauces. After simmering until the crabs are cooked, they are garnished and served. It's a flavorful and aromatic dish that's sure to impress!
I loved to cook and enjoyed learning about all sort of cuisines. Today, I am still in the kitchen and every chance I get, I cook. Some days it isn’t even fancy or a hard recipe. Some days it’s a classic, but something that I’ve created. Cooking is my time to be me.
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