Tamarind-Glazed Crab

• 4 ounces tamarind paste
• 1 cup water
• 2/3 cup hoisin sauce
• 1/2 cup oyster sauce
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 5 slices ginger
• 2 whole Dungeness crabs, 2 to 3 pounds each, cooked
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 or 2 Thai bird chilies, sliced down one side and smashed lightly with the flat edge of a knife, retaining the seeds
• 4 scallions, green and white parts, cut into 3-inch-long strips
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Lemon wedges, for serving
• Asian Slaw (recipe follows), for serving
• 3 tablespoons lime juice
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• 3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
• 2 1/2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon safflower or vegetable oil
• 1/2 Thai chile, sliced
• 5 cups Napa cabbage, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 carrot, shredded or julienned
• 1/2 red pepper, seeded, cut into thin strips and cut in half
• 1/4 cup chopped, roasted peanuts
• 3 tablespoons Thai basil leaves, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves

1. To prepare the sauce, place all the ingredients in a small saute pan and bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar is dissolved and well combined.
2. Turn off the heat and set aside.
3. To prepare the crab, remove the triangular-shaped belly flap or apron.
4. Turn over and remove the outer shell by inserting your thumb between the body and shell at the rear of the crab and pulling the shell up.
5. Remove the gills and roe or crab butter.
6. Remove the spongy gills and small paddles (beak) and discard.
7. Break each crab into two pieces: holding the crab body facing up and away from you, force both halves upward, breaking the crab body in half Pull the crab legs from the body and break each half-body in half again, quartering the body meat.
8. Let the pieces dry completely on a plate lined with paper towels.
9. To prepare the Asian Slaw, in a small bowl, whisk together all the dressing ingredients except for the Thai chile.
10. Gently stir in the chile.
11. Allow the mixture to sit for 15 minutes.
12. In a large bowl, combine all the slaw ingredients and toss well.
13. Remove the chilies from the dressing and discard (if you prefer more heat, transfer a few slices to a cutting board and finely dice before returning to the dressing).
14. Pour the dressing over the law and toss well to coat.
15. In a 10- or 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium-high heat, heat the vegetable oil.
16. When hot, add the crab and cook for 3 minutes.
17. With tongs, turn the crab and cook for 3 minutes more.
18. Add the chilies and half the scallions.
19. Add 1 1/2 cups of the tamarind sauce and the garlic, turning several times to coat the crab completely.
20. Serve directly from the skillet or place on a platter and sprinkle the remaining scallions and salt.
21. Provide guests with bowls of warm water, each with a lemon wedge, and plenty of napkins.
22. Serve with extra sauce on the side, steamed rice, and Asian Slaw.

tamarind paste, water, hoisin sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, ginger, crabs, vegetable oil, bird chilies, scallions, garlic, salt, lemon wedges, asian slaw, lime juice, sugar, orange juice, rice wine vinegar, fish sauce, sesame oil, safflower, chile, cabbage, carrot, red pepper, peanuts, basil, fresh cilantro

Taken from www.cookstr.com/recipes/tamarind-glazed-crab (may not work)