Tempura Stone Crabs With Lemon Black Pepper Tartar Sauce

AmericanSeafoodIntermediate20 minBy Northstar

Ingredients

Servings
4
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 0.5 cup cornstarch
  • 1 cup cold soda water
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 dozen Florida stone crabs, shells cracked and meat exposed
  • 2 cup vegetable oil, for frying
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • 2 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 0.3 cup minced yellow onions
  • 2 tsp coarse black pepper
  • 1 cup olive oil

Instructions

  1. 1

    Make the tartar sauce: In a food processor, combine the egg, lemon juice, lime juice, Dijon mustard, minced onions, and black pepper. Pulse until smooth. With the machine running, slowly add the olive oil in a steady stream until thick and emulsified. Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate.

  2. 2

    In a bowl, whisk together the beaten egg, flour, cornstarch, soda water, and salt until smooth. Let the batter rest for 10 minutes.

  3. 3

    Heat the frying oil to 350°F (175°C). Using the back of a French knife, crack the crab shells and expose the meat.

  4. 4

    Dip each crab (meat side) into the tempura batter. Fry for about 3 to 4 minutes until lightly golden-brown. Drain on paper towels; season with salt and pepper.

  5. 5

    Serve the stone crabs immediately with the lemon-black pepper tartar sauce alongside.