Deep Fried Masa Turnovers With Crab Recipes

TEMPURA-FRIED SOFT-SHELL CRAB SANDWICHES WITH TARTAR SAUCE SLAW AND CRISPY OLD BAY CHIPS

Steps:

• For the tartar sauce slaw: Whisk together the cornichons, mayonnaise, capers, mustard, sugar, lemon juice, onion and some salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add the cabbage and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• For the Old Bay potato chips: Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Spread the potato chips in an even layer on a baking sheet and bake, just to warm, 2 minutes. Put the Old Bay in a small mesh strainer and tap evenly over the chips; toss the chips lightly.
• For the soft-shell crabs: Set a rack in a baking sheet. Heat 3 to 4 inches of oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat until it registers 375 degrees F on a deep-frying thermometer. Whisk together 2 cups of the rice flour and 2 cups water until smooth, then season with salt and pepper and some hot sauce if using.
• Put the remaining 1 cup rice flour in a shallow dish and season with some salt and pepper. Sprinkle the crabs with salt and pepper.
• Dredge 2 crabs in flour and tap off the excess. Dip in the tempura batter, letting any excess run off. Fry until golden brown, crispy and just cooked through, turning occasionally, about 5 minutes. Drain on the rack. Repeat with the remaining 2 crabs.
• For the sandwiches: Put some of the slaw on the bottom of each bun and top with a fried crab. Add a bit more slaw and a tomato slice and top with chips. Close sandwiches with the tops of the buns and serve immediately.

FRIED SOFT-SHELL CRAB

Steps:

• Clean each crab. Lift one pointed side of top shell and remove the gills by pulling them out. Put top shell back down and repeat on other side. On the bottom side remove tail flap by twisting and pulling off. Using a pair of scissors, remove the face by cutting behind the eyes. Rinse the crabs thoroughly with cold water. Dry on paper towels.
• Heat oil in a deep fryer to 365 degrees F (180 degrees F). In a shallow dish, whisk together the egg and milk using a fork. In a separate bowl, stir salt and pepper into the flour. Lightly salt the crab, then dip in the flour, dip in the egg, then in the flour again.
• Carefully place crabs into the deep-fryer. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, or until golden brown on one side. Carefully turn over, and cook until golden on the other side. Drain on paper towels. Serve as soon as they are cool enough to eat. You can eat the whole crab.

DEEP-FRIED MASA TURNOVERS WITH CRAB

Steps:

• For filling:
• Puree tomatoes in blender. Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté until beginning to brown, about 6 minutes. Add garlic and sauté 30 seconds. Mix in olives, chiles, and dried herbs, then tomato puree. Reduce heat to medium. Simmer until most liquid is absorbed, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Mix in crab and parsley; season with salt.
• For dough:
• Combine fresh masa or masa harina mixture, lard, flour, baking powder, and salt in large bowl. Knead well, adding warm water by tablespoonfuls as needed until dough is soft but not sticky. Divide into 12 balls. Place on sheet of foil. Cover with plastic wrap.
• Cut out two 8-inch rounds from heavy-duty resealable plastic bag. Place 1 plastic round on bottom half of tortilla press. Place 1 dough round in center and top with second plastic round. Close tortilla press, pressing dough to 5-inch round. Peel off top plastic. Spoon 1 heaping tablespoon filling onto half of dough. Using plastic as aid, fold dough over filling, peel back plastic, and seal edges. Flip turnover onto hand; peel off bottom plastic. Place turnover on foil-lined sheet. Repeat with remaining dough and filling.
• Pour enough oil into large skillet to reach depth of 3/4 inch. Attach deep-fry thermometer and heat oil to 375°F. Fry 3 turnovers at a time until deep golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Arrange turnovers on platter and serve.

FRIED CRAB CAKES

Steps:

• Mix 1/3 cup panko, egg, parsley, mayonnaise, seafood seasoning, and mustard together in a medium bowl. Gently fold in crabmeat. Form into 4 patties and coat with remaining panko.
• Heat coconut oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Fry patties until crispy, flipping once, about 12 minutes total.
• While patties cook, prepare the sauce: Combine mayonnaise, chipotle pepper, adobo sauce, and lemon juice in the bowl of a food processor; process until smooth.
• Serve crab cakes with sauce on the side.

DEEP-FRIED CRABMEAT BALLS

Steps:

• Melt the butter, and blend in the flour, then milk.
• Cook until thickened, stir continuously.
• Cut the crabmeat into small pieces, removing fiber.
• Combine crabmeat with the spices, onion, parsley, and Worcestershire to cream sauce.
• Lightly sprinkle the breadcrumbs on bottom of pan.
• Spread the mixture in pan and chill for 1/2 hour.
• When chilled, mold the mixture into small balls and roll in fine bread crumbs.
• Then dip in beaten egg, and re-coat in crumbs.
• Fry in deep fat about 350F, or until lightly browned.
• Drain on paper towels, stick tooth-picks in and serve!

DEEP-FRIED SOFT-SHELL CRAB

Steps:

• Heat 2 inches oil in a deep pot to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Whisk flour, bread crumbs, cornstarch, seafood seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and chili powder together in a bowl until evenly combined. Mix milk and eggs together in a separate bowl.
• Dredge each whole crab in the flour mixture, dunk in the egg mixture, then back in the flour mixture to coat.
• Lower crabs carefully into the hot oil. Fry until they start to float, then fry for an additional minute, flipping halfway through. Transfer to a paper towel-lined tray to drain oil. Serve immediately.

EASY FRIED TURNOVERS

Steps:

• Roll out each roll separately to about 1/8" to 1/4" thickness.
• Spoon one teaspoonful of preserves or applesauce in center of each.
• Fold over; press together to form crescents.
• Fry in 1/2" melted shortening until golden brown.
• Serve hot.

CRAB-STUFFED DEEP-FRIED SHELLS

Steps:

• Cook the pasta shells according to the package directions. Drain well, rinse under cold running water and drain again.
• Invert the shells onto paper towels to cool while preparing the filling.
• In a large bowl, whisk one of the eggs until just slightly foamy. Add the crabmeat, cheese, scallions, tomatoes, basil, thyme, salt and pepper; mix well.
• Use a spoon to stuff the shells with the crab mixture, dividing it evenly among them.
• In a small bowl, beat the remaining egg with the water. Place the bread crumbs in a shallow dish. Dip each shell into the egg mixture shaking off any excess, then roll in the bread crumbs.
• In a large, heavy saucepan over medium-high heat, bring about 2 inches oil to 365 degrees.
• To help maintain the oil temperature, add the shells a few at a time without crowding. Cook about 2 minutes or until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain well on paper towels. Repeat until all the shells are fried. Serve warm.