Drunken Crab

Drunken Crab is a traditional Chinese dish made by marinating fresh crabs in rice wine. Here are the detailed ingredients and steps for making drunken crab:

Ingredients:

1. Fresh live crabs– A suitable amount (typically river crabs like mitten crabs, the quantity depends on your needs)

2. High-proof white liquor- 500ml (you can use high-proof liquor like Erguotou or Shaoxing wine)

3. Light soy sauce- 200ml

4. Dark soy sauce- 100ml

5. Rock sugar- 50g

6. Ginger- 50g (sliced)

7. Green onion- 50g (cut into sections)

8. Star anise- 2 pieces

9. Sichuan peppercorns- to taste

10. Dried chili peppers- to taste (optional)

11. Bay leaves- 3 pieces

Steps:

1. Preparing the Crabs:

   – Choose fresh, live crabs and clean them thoroughly, brushing off any dirt on the shell.

   – Soak the crabs in clean water to allow them to expel any mud or sand.

2. Killing and Processing the Crabs:

   – To handle the crabs safely, you can place them in the refrigerator to numb them.

   – Cut off the tips of the crab claws and legs to avoid injury during marination.

   – Trim the edges of the crab shells with scissors to allow the marinade to penetrate better.

3. Preparing the Marinade:

   – In a pot, combine light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, rock sugar, ginger slices, green onion sections, star anise, Sichuan peppercorns, dried chili peppers, and bay leaves.

   – Add water and bring to a boil to dissolve the rock sugar and release the flavors from the spices.

   – Once boiled, let the mixture cool to room temperature.

4. Marinating the Crabs:

   – Place the crabs in a clean, airtight container and pour in the cooled marinade and high-proof white liquor.

   – Ensure the crabs are fully submerged in the liquid; you can use a weight to keep them submerged.

   – Seal the container and refrigerate to marinate.

5. Marinating Time:

   – The crabs typically marinate for 2-3 days. For a stronger flavor, you can marinate them longer.

6. Serving:

   – Once marinated, the crabs are ready to eat. They can be served with a dipping sauce of ginger vinegar or sesame oil.

Note: As drunken crab is made using raw crabs, it’s important to ensure the freshness of the ingredients and maintain hygiene to avoid food safety issues.