SauceChinese hairy crabHave you tried it before?Isn't it exhilarating to see one by one of these "domineering" hairy crabs become your catch of the day?And when you look at them surrounded by sauce, your saliva starts flowing, making you want to try it right away, isn't it?Actually, hairy crab with sauce is a very distinctive dish inZhejiang cuisine.One of its highlights, made primarily from hairy crabs, uses sauces for cooking.This delicious hairy crab dish not only gives your taste buds a treat but also provides nutritional benefits. Isn't it perfect?Let's check out the steps together!

How to make hairy crab with sauce

Hairy crab with sauce is so nutritious and delicious!So, how can we achieve such deliciousness?Many people think that making hairy crab with sauce is easy and can be done casually?In fact, to make a good tasting hairy crab with sauce requires following certain steps.Do you want to show off your skills in front of friends?Do you want to treat your parents to such a delicacy?Learn it now!

First, clean the hairy crabs thoroughly, remove the top shell and internal organs, wash away any dirt, cut off the claws and break them into two pieces.Also, chop the legs at their tips and slice the body into several small pieces.This is the preliminary preparation of the hairy crabs. Although it seems brutal, it plays a critical role in enjoying this dish.

Next, coat all crab pieces withflour,then fry them until they are fully cooked, approximately 1 minute depending on observation.Finally, add them to the pot.In a hot wok, stir-fry scallions and ginger paste along withtomato sauce,add sweet bean sauce, soy sauce, water, sugar, and cornstarch. After boiling, add cookedmung beansand fried crab pieces, mix well, and finally drizzle with 2 tablespoons of sesame oil.Although the steps seem simple, executing them can be quite challenging. Give it a try to see if there are any surprises in store for you!What kinds of sauces work best for hairy crab?Hairy crab with sauce is a dish made by combining ingredients and sauce. Many people wonder what types of sauce make the hairy crab with sauce taste good.If following the above method uses tomato sauce, but I don't like tomato sauce, can I use other sauces instead?Actually, you can substitute different types of sauces. With your skills, you can even create a unique sauce. This makes it a secret recipe!

There is no fixed type of sauce for hairy crab with sauce; choose based on personal taste.

You can usedoubanjiang,

or chili sauce,and other types of sauces.However, different sauces will result in different flavors. Therefore, opt for common and frequently used types to avoid using unusual or strange sauces that might make the dish look black, wasting ingredients, and affecting your appetite.What are the nutritional values of hairy crab?Hairy crabs are famous for "one plate of crab equals a whole table's worth of dishes." Not only is it tasty but also rich in nutrients, making it an excellent source of protein.The crab meat is fresh and nutritious, beneficial for health. Especially the female hairy crabs, considered "egg-rich crabs" by people from southern China, are known as "sea ginseng."Hairy crabs thrive in warm shallow seas and mainly distribute along the coasts of Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian, and Taiwan, with a particular abundance in Jiangsu and Zhejiang.So, does hairy crab have nutritional value?

The answer is yes!

Hairy crabs contain abundant protein and trace elements, beneficial for body nourishment.They help maintain potassium-sodium balance, reduce edema, enhance immunity, and promote growth and development.Crabs are rich in calcium, essential for bone development. They can promote bone growth or strengthen existing bones.They also contain copper, an indispensable trace element for human health.Copper plays crucial roles in blood formation, central nervous system function, immune system, hair and skin health, and bone tissue development and brain and liver functions.Furthermore, crabs regulate enzyme activity;participate in nerve and muscle activities and neurotransmitter release;regulate hormone secretion;control heart rhythm, reduce vascular permeability;manage inflammation and edema;maintain acid-base balance.With all these benefits, let's enjoy hairy crab with sauce!Can hairy crabs be eaten when you have a cold?

In late autumn to early winter, many people catch a cold due to wind-cold. This is also the best time for hairy crabs as they are at their fattest.However, can you still eat hairy crab with sauce if you have a cold?Actually, if you happen to get sick and develop a fever, you should avoid eating hairy crab. Even though this dish looks tempting, it's better to refrain from enjoying it.Experts advise that eating hairy crabs when you are sick or running a fever may cause diarrhea. Many cases of digestive issues due to eating crabs during illness have been reported, especially among those with fevers.Furthermore, crab is considered "cold-natured," so people with weak stomachs and spleens might not easily digest it, leading to abdominal pain and diarrhea when consuming hairy crabs.Therefore, before eating, consider using large pieces of ginger forsteamingand then dipping in vinegar sauce to eliminate its cold nature. In short, avoid eating hairy crab during your illness!

How to pick good hairy crabsEven if you are skilled at making hairy crab with sauce, picking the right ingredients is crucial for a delicious result.So, make sure to carefully select fresh and plump hairy crabs before attempting this dish. Here’s how:1. Shell color: A dark green shell with a lustrous sheen indicates meatier crabs;a yellowish shell suggests thinner ones.2. Navel shape: A protruding navel means the crab is fat and full of roe or yolk;an indented one implies less body fat.

3. Claws: Thick, dense hair on claws indicates a healthier crab;

lack of hair suggests weaker ones.4. Activity: Flip over the crab; those that quickly use their claws to turn over are more energetic and can be stored longer.

Those unable to turn over easily are less vigorous and will not last long.5. Sex determination: Females are best in August, with plenty of roe;mature males taste the best in September, with abundant fat.

However, the peak eating season is October and November. Females should be enjoyed in September for their egg-rich quality.By paying attention to these five points, you will easily find fresh hairy crabs for your dish!Moreover, after selecting the best crab, kill it immediately and cook within an hour to preserve its freshness!It is best to choose large pieces of ginger when eating crab.Steam the crab thoroughly,then dip it in a mixture of ginger and vinegar,to remove its cold nature;and refrain from eating crab if you have a cold!How to pick green crabs for

Even if you are skilled at making, if the raw materials are subpar, will the still taste good?

Therefore, one must be extremely careful in picking fresh and plump green crabs for a truly delicious,as the quality of raw materials is often overlooked but can make or break the dish.So, head to the market before making this dish and follow Mom's Web Encyclopedia to pick your fresh and plump green crab!

1 Shell.A shell that appears dark green with a luster indicates a thick and strong crab;a yellowish shell usually signifies a thinner crab.

2 Navel.A protruding navel suggests a fat and well-filled crab;an indented one often lacks fat.

3 Claw.A robust crab has dense hair on its claws;a claw without hair is weak.

4 Vitality.Flip a river crab onto its back,and if it quickly uses its claws to turn over, it is lively and can be kept for storage;if it cannot flip itself, it lacks vitality and will not last long after death.5 Gender.

In lunar August, female crabs are the most plump with yolk,while in September, male crabs have the richest flesh.However, the best time to eat is from October to November,with females being preferable in September.

By paying attention to these five aspects, you should find it easier to pick a fresh green crab.And once picked, kill and cook the crabs within one hour to preserve their freshness!