Cua Rang Me - Crispy Tamarind Crab

Ingredients

• Roasted peanuts (2 tablespoons, crushed)
• Green onions (2, chopped)
• Vegetable oil (2 tablespoons)
• Cornstarch (1 tablespoon)
• Red chili peppers (2, sliced)
• Shallots (2, sliced)
• Garlic (3 cloves, minced)
• Fish sauce (2 tablespoons)
• Sugar (1 tablespoon)
• Tamarind paste (2 tablespoons)
• Crab (1 large, cleaned and cracked)
• Water (1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons)

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, whisk together tamarind paste, sugar, fish sauce, and 1/4 cup of water until well combined to create the tamarind sauce. Set aside.
2. Heat vegetable oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat.
3. Add the minced garlic, sliced shallots, and sliced red chili peppers to the pan. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
4. Add the cleaned and cracked crab to the pan. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until the crab turns red and is cooked through.
5. Pour the tamarind sauce over the crab in the pan. Continue to sauté for another 2-3 minutes until the crab is thoroughly coated in the sauce.
6. In a separate small bowl, mix cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry. Add the slurry to the pan and stir well for another minute until the sauce thickens.
7. Remove the pan from heat and transfer the crab to a serving dish.
8. Garnish with freshly chopped green onions and crushed roasted peanuts.
9. Serve hot, preferably with steamed jasmine rice or Vietnamese-style baguette for an authentic experience.