Spider Burgers (aka Soft Shell Crab Burgers)
An Original Recipe by Lorraine Elliott/Not Quite Nigella
Serves 7 -9 (depending on how many crabs there are in the box)
- 1kg/2.2lbs. soft shell crab in box, thawed
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 2 teaspoons salt
- Oil for drizzling
- Small burger buns (one per crab) not too big as you want to be able to see the legs peeking out
- 4 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon chilli sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon rind
- Soft lettuce leaves
Cut off the eyes. You will feel like a serial killer. If you don't then you probably are one already and you don't know it.
Step 1 - Preheat oven to 190C/374F and have a baking tray ready. Remove the crab from the individual packets and rinse gently under running water-the legs are quite delicate and can come off easily. Cut off the eyes from the crab with a pair of scissors or a sharp knife. Then look underneath the main shell and remove the dead man gills. Turn the crab over and remove the triangular flap and make sure that any excess water is removed from the shell. Drain and dry on paper towels patting them dry.
Step 2 - Mix the cornmeal and salt in a shallow bowl and dredge the crabs in one by one. Place the crabs shell side down on the tray and drizzle with oil. Bake for 10 minutes. Turn over and bake for 3 minutes.
Step 3 - Meanwhile cut the buns in half and warm them up. Mix the mayonnaise, chilli sauce and lemon zest together and spread on the bottom of the buns. Fold a lettuce leaf in half and place on top and then add the soft shell crab. Serve immediately.