The Ultimate Guide to Preparing Crabs: A Delicious Delicacy, Done Right.

Cua đồng often harbor parasites due to their specific habitat. If not properly cleaned and cooked, these parasites can pose a risk to human health.

There was once a viral video on social media of a girl who bought cua đồng from the market. When she started cleaning the crabs, she found wriggling parasites and immediately shared her experience online, seeking advice from other home cooks.

In the video, the parasites appeared to be red and were identified as either worms or flukes. This sparked concern among viewers, who attributed the presence of these parasites to the crabs’ muddy and unsanitary living environment.

The video served as a reminder to thoroughly clean and prepare cua đồng before cooking to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Experienced chefs recommend a meticulous process for preparing dishes like crab soup or crab noodle soup. This includes thorough cleaning, grinding, and filtering to ensure a delicious and safe final product.

To effectively remove parasites and impurities, it is recommended to soak the crabs in a solution of salt water and rice wine. This method not only cleans the crabs but also stuns them, making the subsequent steps easier and safer.

Here is a simple guide on how to properly clean and prepare cua đồng:

1. Cleaning the Crabs

After purchasing cua đồng, rinse them thoroughly and soak them in clean water for 1-2 hours. Then, soak them in a solution of salt water and rice wine for about 10 minutes. This process helps remove any remaining impurities and stuns the crabs, making them easier to handle.

2. Disassembling the Crabs

Grasp the crabs by their sides and carefully remove the gills, mouthparts, and lungs. It is recommended to remove the lungs first, as it will stun the crab and prevent it from pinching. Avoid holding the claws, as they are sharp and can cause injury. Instead, hold the small legs for a safer grip.

The gills, mouthparts, and lungs should be discarded, as they can cause the crab meat to have an unpleasant odor and texture.

3. Extracting the Crab Roe

Use a small skewer or toothpick to carefully extract the crab roe from the shell and place it in a separate bowl. Crab roe is a delicacy, but there is not a lot of it, so this step requires patience and precision.

4. Grinding the Crab Meat

Place the cleaned crab bodies in a grinder or food processor, adding a teaspoon of salt to enhance the flavor. For an even more authentic texture, you can manually grind the meat using a mortar and pestle.

5. Filtering the Crab Meat

This is a crucial step in the process. Mix the ground crab meat with 1-1.5 liters of water and let it settle. Skim the clear water from the top and pass it through a fine-mesh strainer to remove any remaining impurities. Repeat the filtering process until the water is completely clear.

6. Cooking

After filtering, pour the crab water into a pot and place it on the stove. Stir continuously to prevent the crab meat from sticking to the bottom of the pot. Maintain a medium heat to avoid overcooking the meat. Once the water boils, remove the lid to allow the crab meat to form solid chunks. Use a slotted spoon to remove the meat, and your crab preparation is complete!

CRABCAKES SOUP RECIPE

Ingredients

– 500g ground cua đồng

– Mồng tơi (a type of water spinach)

– Seasonings: salt, MSG, seasoning powder, etc.

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix the ground crab meat with 1 liter of water and stir well to dissolve any lumps.

2. Pour the crab mixture into a fine-mesh strainer and collect the clear liquid in a bowl. Repeat this process until you have a bowl of clear crab broth.

3. Place the pot on the stove and heat it over medium heat. Adjust the heat to prevent the broth from boiling too vigorously.

When the crab meat forms solid chunks, use a slotted spoon to remove them from the broth and set them aside.

4. Wash and chop the mồng tơi into small pieces.

5. Add the chopped mồng tơi to the boiling crab broth. Season the soup with a pinch of your chosen seasonings to enhance the flavor.

Skim any foam from the surface of the soup, then add the reserved crab meat chunks. Once the soup returns to a boil, it is ready to be served.

This simple recipe for crab soup delivers a delicious, sweet, and savory broth. The solid chunks of crab meat make for a visually appealing dish.

Serve this crab soup with a side of crispy fried meat for a satisfying and flavorful meal. It’s a perfect dish for the summer!