Indian deep-fried soft-shell crab with lime pickle

These gently spiced deep-fried crabs make a fantastic starter – especially with zingy homemade lime pickle.

Ingredients

For the lime pickle

• 500g/1lb 2oz limes (approxiametly 5-6 limes), cut into wedges
• 2 tbsp fine sea salt
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp mustard seeds
• 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 5cm/2in piece fresh root ginger, peeled and finely chopped
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp ground coriander
• ½ tsp asafoetida
• 1½ tsp mild chilli powder
• 300g/10½oz soft light brown sugar
• 50ml/2fl oz white wine vinegar

For the crab

• 5cm/2in piece fresh root ginger, grated
• 4 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 tbsp ground coriander
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp red chilli powder
• 4 tbsp chopped fresh coriander leaves and stalks
• 4 tbsp gram flour
• 2 limes, juice and finely grated zest
• 4 tbsp groundnut oil
• 8 small soft-shell crabs
• vegetable oil, for deep-frying
• salt, to taste

Preparation method

1. For the lime pickle, toss the lime wedges with the salt in a large bowl. Cover the bowl and chill in the fridge for 48 hours, stirring occasionally.

2. When the limes have cured, heat the oil in a large frying pan over a high heat. Add the mustard seeds. (Caution: The mustard seeds will pop – keep eyes and face well clear.)

3. When the mustard seeds start popping, add the garlic and ginger and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes.

4. Add the cumin, coriander, asafoetida and chilli powder and stir-fry for a further 1-2 minutes, then add the sugar and continue to cook until it melts.

5. Add the cured limes and all of the juices from the bowl to the pan. Cover with the white wine vinegar and 200ml/7fl oz of cold water.

6. Bring the pan contents to the boil, then reduce the heat until the mixture is simmering and simmer gently for 1½ hours until the mixture has thickened and the limes are very soft. Set aside to cool slightly.

7. Blend the cooled lime pickle in a food processor for 20 seconds, or until the pieces of lime are quite small. Spoon the pickle into sterilised jars until needed.

8. For the crab, mix all of the crab ingredients except the crabs and vegetable oil in a large bowl until well combined as a thick paste.

9. Add the crabs and mix again until the crabs are coated in the spicy mixture. Cover the bowl and chill in the fridge for at least two hours.

10. Before cooking, remove the crabs from the fridge and return to room temperature.

11. Heat the vegetable oil in a deep fat fryer to 160C/315F. Alternatively, heat the vegetable oil in a deep, heavy-based sauté pan until a breadcrumb sizzles and turns brown when dropped into it. (Caution: Hot oil can be dangerous. Do not leave unattended.)

12. Fry the spiced crabs (in batches if necessary) in the hot oil for 1-2 minutes, or until cooked through. Remove from the oil using a slotted spoon, then set aside to drain on kitchen paper. Season with a little salt.

13. Serve the spiced soft-shell crabs with dollops of the lime pickle.

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