Indian Deep-Fried Soft-Shell Crab with Lime Pickle

Gently spiced deep-fried soft-shell crabs served with a zingy, homemade, aromatic lime pickle. A fantastic Indian-inspired seafood starter.

Estimated Nutrition

Per Serving Total
Calories 605.1 kcals 2420.5 kcals
Carbohydrates 67.1 grams 268.2 grams
Fat 26.5 grams 105.8 grams
Protein 28.1 grams 112.4 grams
Cook Time
100 mins
Produces
4 people
Allergies
Vegetarian
Vegan
Dairy Free
Gluten Free

Ingredients

BakingIngredients
CondimentsSauces
Fruits
500
g
Limes
cut into wedges
2
piece
Limes
juice and finely grated zest
GrainsCereals
4
tbsp
NutsSeeds
2
tbsp
4
cloves
Garlic
finely chopped
1
tbsp
Cumin
ground
1
tbsp
Coriander
ground
0.5
tsp
1.5
tsp
4
cloves
Garlic
crushed
1
tbsp
Coriander
ground
2
tsp
Cumin
ground
4
tbsp
Coriander Leaves
freshly chopped stalks and leaves
1
pinch
Salt
to taste
OilsFats
1
unit
Vegetable Oil
for deep-frying
Seafood
8
piece
Vegetables
5
cm
Ginger
peeled and finely chopped
5
cm
Ginger
grated

Steps

  • Toss lime wedges with salt in a bowl and chill for 48 hours.
  • Heat oil in a frying pan and add mustard seeds until they pop.
  • Add garlic and ginger and stir-fry for 2 minutes.
  • Stir in spices and sugar until the sugar melts.
  • Add cured limes, juices, vinegar, and 200ml of water.
  • Simmer the mixture for 90 minutes until thickened and limes are soft.
  • Blend cooled pickle for 20 seconds and store in jars.
  • Mix crab coating ingredients into a thick paste.
  • Coat crabs in the paste and chill for at least 2 hours.
  • Bring crabs to room temperature before cooking.
  • Heat deep-frying oil to 160°C.
  • Fry crabs for 2 minutes until cooked and drain on kitchen paper.
  • Serve crabs with dollops of lime pickle.