Crab in the Shell (Poo Jao) Recipes

Ingredients :

250g crab meat

250g pork mince (ground pork)

2 tbsp chopped ginger

2 tbsp coriander (cilantro) leaves, chopped

4 green chili peppers, chopped

1 tbsp fish sauce

a few kaffir lime leaves, torn

1 tbsp cracked white peppercorns

3 eggs, beaten

rice flour, to coat the crab shells

oil for deep frying

Method :

Combine the crab, pork, ginger, coriander, green chilies, fish sauce, kaffir lime leaves and peppercorns in a bowl. Mix well and set aside. Rinse and dry the reserved crab shells. Brush them with some of the beaten egg. Fill the shells with the meat mixture. Steam in a steamer for about 20 minutes or until the mixture is firm. Remove from the steamer and allow to cool. Dust the crab shell with the rice flour. Dip each shell in the remaining beaten egg. Deep fry over a moderate heat until golden brown in color. Serve hot with salad and a spicy chili sauce.

Crabs are probably the most popular shellfish eaten in Southeast Asia. They are usually bought for special occasions, and the cooking methods are fairly elaborate. This recipe uses a combination of crab and pork, which blends very well with fresh coriander and ginger.

Serves 4 - 6

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