Lightly Fried Soft Shell Crabs
Soft shell crab season only lasts for a few months out of the year. Some years I miss it completely, but this year I was lucky enough to have it twice! Once, prepared at Hugo’s Frog Bar, one of my favorite restaurants in the city; and the second time I made it myself at home, with a little help from Whole Foods. Soft shell crabs are surprisingly easy to prepare and really require only five ingredients!! You may not have a chance to prepare them this year, but keep this recipe in mind for the future!
Ingredients:
1 and ½ cups of flour
2-3 tablespoons of Old Bay seasoning
4 soft shell crabs
½ stick of butter
1 egg
Directions:
Your soft shell crabs should already be pre-cleaned from wherever you bought them, if you’re unsure, just ask at the fish counter and they’ll do it for you for free!
Whisk the egg until whites and yolk are combined
Combine the flour and Old Bay seasoning
Dry off the crabs and lightly coat them in the flour and Old Bay mixture
Dip the coated crabs in the egg and then back into the flour
Set the crabs aside
Melt the butter in a pan over low to medium heat
When the butter is melted and you can smell it browning, throw in the crabs
Cook each crab 2-3 minutes per side, and you’re done
I usually serve them with a side of corn on the cob or some rice
