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1
Preparing the sauce ingredients mise-en-place: Mix chili sauce, ketchup, vinegar and 2 cups of water together; set aside.
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2
Beat egg whites with water; set aside.
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3
Mix cornstarch with water; set aside.
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4
Preparing the crab.
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5
Ask your fishmonger to kill and clean the shellfish for you, but you must cook it within 2-3 hours of killing.
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6
Otherwise, kill the fresh crab by stabbing it in the soft part of its underside.
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7
Remove gills (dead manas fingers) and innards.
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8
Clean and pat dry the crab.
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9
Cut each crab into 6 pieces Reserve the crab roe.
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10
Cooking the crab: Heat 3 tablespoons of canola oil in wok.
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11
Fry the crab pieces including crab roe till bright vermillion red and fragrant.
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12
Remove crabs from wok to a large bowl.
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13
Do not wash wok!
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14
Using the same wok, and high heat, add 2 tablespoons oil and brown garlic, ginger till fragrant; about 2 minutes.
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15
Add chili-ketchup sauce mixture.
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16
Bring to boil and add sugar and salt to taste.
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17
Drizzle on egg white in large circles, wait half a minute then stir to get silky threads of whites.
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18
Add cornstarch mixture and stir to thicken.
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19
Add back the crab to the wok.
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20
Mix well.
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21
Cover and steam for 5 minutes.
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22
Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and burning.
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23
If the sauce is too thick, add a little more water.
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24
The sauce should coat the crab.
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25
Toss in the cilantro and scallions, leaving a small handful for garnish.
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26
Serve immediately and garnish with more cilantro and scallions.