Georgina Hayden's Five Spring Crab Recipes for Lighter, Sunnier Days
As spring arrives, kitchens eagerly await fresh produce like asparagus and new potatoes, but seafood, particularly crab, also deserves celebration. Sweet and delicate, crab mirrors the brightness of sunnier days. Whether picked fresh from the shell or bought pre-cooked, it shines with minimal adornment or in spiced dishes. Here are five recipes to let crab sing this season.
Spicy Crab Cake Banh Mi with Quick Pickles
Prep time: 15 minutes. Cook time: 45 minutes. Serves 4. This vibrant sandwich combines crispy crab cakes with tangy pickles and herbs. Dissolve sugar in hot water with salt, add vinegar and carrot matchsticks for quick pickles. Blend coriander, spring onions, garlic, chilli, fish sauce, lime, and white fish, then mix with crab, egg, and cornflour. Shape into cakes and fry until golden. Serve in baguettes with mayonnaise, cucumber ribbons, pickled carrots, and sriracha.
Lemon and Pepper Crab Carbonara
Prep time: 10 minutes. Cook time: 20 minutes. Serves 2. A twist on classic carbonara, this dish infuses crab with lemon and paprika. Whisk eggs, parmesan, pepper, salt, lemon zest, paprika, and crab meat. Cook linguine al dente, then toss in garlicky butter. Quickly stir in the egg-crab mixture, adding pasta water for creaminess. Finish with lemon juice, parsley, and extra parmesan.
Tenshinhan (Crab Omelette with Steamed Rice)
Prep time: 5 minutes. Soak time: 20 minutes. Cook time: 30 minutes. Serves 2. This Japanese-inspired dish features fluffy crab omelettes over steamed rice. Wash and soak rice, then cook until tender. Make a broth with seafood stock, soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, and cornflour. Whisk eggs with crab and spring onion whites, then fry into omelettes. Serve over rice domes, ladle with hot broth, and garnish with spring onion greens and furikake.
Hot Cheesy Crab and Chive Dip 'n' Chips
Prep time: 10 minutes. Cook time: 40 minutes. Serves 6-8. A crowd-pleasing dip perfect for gatherings. Beat cream cheese, mayonnaise, and sour cream until smooth, then season with paprika, Tabasco, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, cheddar, crab, and chives. Spoon into a baking dish, top with breadcrumbs, more cheddar, lemon zest, and chives, then bake until golden. Serve with tortilla chips or crisps after a brief rest.
Crab and Asparagus Glass Noodle Stir-Fry
Prep time: 15 minutes. Cook time: 30 minutes. Serves 2. A light and flavorful stir-fry highlighting spring asparagus. Soak and cook glass noodles according to packet instructions. Whisk soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, gochujang, sesame oil, and water for the sauce. Fry shallots and asparagus until charred, add garlic, ginger, beansprouts, then noodles, sauce, and crab meat. Toss over high heat until glossy and serve immediately.
These recipes showcase crab's versatility, from sandwiches to dips, making the most of spring's bounty. Enjoy them as part of lighter, sunnier meals.
