Spicy Crab

Spicy Crab is a popular Sichuan dish known for its delicious crab meat and rich, spicy flavor. Here are the ingredients and detailed steps to make Spicy Crab:

Ingredients
Crabs: 2-3 crabs, about 1 kg
Dried chili peppers: 20-30 grams (adjust to taste)
Sichuan peppercorns: 10-15 grams
Ginger: Sliced
Garlic: 3-4 cloves, minced
Green onions: 2-3 stalks, cut into segments
Doubanjiang (fermented broad bean paste): 2 tablespoons
Cooking wine: To taste
Light soy sauce: 2 tablespoons
Dark soy sauce: 1 teaspoon
Sugar: 1 teaspoon
Salt: To taste
Chicken essence: To taste
Oil: For frying and stir-frying
Cilantro: For garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Crabs:
   Clean the crabs, remove the shell, gills, and stomach, then cut into pieces (each crab into 4-6 pieces).
   Marinate the crab pieces with a bit of cooking wine and salt, let sit for 15 minutes.
2. Fry the Crabs:
   Heat enough oil in a pan to 170°C (340°F), fry the marinated crab pieces until they are golden brown, then set aside.
3. Prepare the Seasoning Base:
   Leave a little oil in the pan, add Sichuan peppercorns and dried chili peppers, stir-fry over medium-low heat until fragrant (be careful not to burn them).
   Add ginger slices and minced garlic, stir-fry until fragrant.
   Add Doubanjiang and stir-fry until the oil turns red.
4. Cook the Crabs:
   Add the fried crab pieces to the pan, stir-fry quickly to coat the crabs evenly with the seasoning.
   Add light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, and sugar, stir well.
   Add a bit of water (just enough to slightly cover the crabs), cook over medium heat for 5-8 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse.
   Adjust the salt and chicken essence to taste.
5. Finish and Serve:
   Once the crabs are well-flavored and the sauce has thickened, add the green onion segments and stir well.
   Transfer to a plate, garnish with cilantro if desired, and serve.

This dish is fragrant, spicy, and suitable for those who enjoy bold flavors. If you prefer less heat, you can reduce the amount of dried chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns. Spicy Crab pairs well with cold dishes or rice for a complete meal.