Fried Soft-Shell Crab

Ingredients

Ingredients for Batter:

• 1 cup milk
• ½ cup water
• 2 eggs
• 3 tbsps Creole mustard
• salt and cracked black pepper to taste

Ingredients for Breading:

• 2 cups yellow corn flour
• 2¼ tsps salt
• 1½ tsps granulated garlic
• 1½ tsps cracked black pepper
• 1½ tsps cayenne pepper
• 1½ tsps thyme

Ingredients for Frying:

• 6 soft-shell crabs, cleaned
• 1½ quarts vegetable oil

Instructions

1. 1
   Method for Batter: In a 1-quart mixing bowl, whisk together all ingredients until well blended. Set aside.
2. 2
   Method for Breading: In a 1-quart mixing bowl, combine all breading ingredients and mix well. Set aside.
3. 3
   Method for Frying: Clean soft-shell crab by picking up end of shell and removing gills on each side with a paring knife.
4. 4
   Remove apron from underside of crab and cut away eyes and mouth. Set aside.
5. 5
   In a Dutch oven or home-style deep-fryer, preheat oil to 375°F according to manufacturer's directions.
6. 6
   Place soft-shell crabs in batter and marinate 10–15 minutes.
7. 7
   Drain excess liquid from crabs and coat well in breading mixture, shaking off excess.
8. 8
   Fry one at a time until crab turns golden brown and floats to top of oil. Using tongs or a slotted spoon, remove crab from oil and drain on paper towels. Serve hot with tartar sauce or cocktail sauce.