Crispy Soft-Shell Crab Sushi Rolls
Delight in the unique flavors of these Crispy Soft-Shell Crab Sushi Rolls, where tender, succulent soft-shell crabs are combined with sticky short-grain sushi rice and creamy avocado, all wrapped in nori and garnished with fresh green onions and sesame seeds. This dish combines the thrill of sushi with the crunch of perfectly fried crab, making it an exciting option for parties or special occasions. Share this exquisite recipe with friends and family for a memorable sushi night!
8
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
short-grain rice
1 1/2 cups (uncooked)
water
1 1/2 cups (to boil)
seasoned rice vinegar
2 tablespoons (to mix with rice)
soft-shell crabs
4 (4 1/2 ounce) (cleaned)
salt
1/4 teaspoon (to season crabs)
black pepper
1/4 teaspoon (to season crabs)
all-purpose flour
1/4 cup (for dredging)
butter
1 tablespoon (for cooking crabs)
nori sheets
4 (for wrapping sushi)
avocado
1 (peeled and sliced into 16 slices)
green onion
1/2 cup (thinly sliced)
sesame seeds
4 teaspoons (for garnish)
Instructions
1
In a medium saucepan, combine the short-grain rice and water. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 15 minutes. Once finished, remove from heat and let it sit, covered, for an additional 15 minutes.
2
Transfer the cooked rice to a large bowl. Carefully stir in the seasoned rice vinegar using a spoon until evenly mixed. Cover the rice and let it rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
3
Season the cleaned soft-shell crabs with salt and black pepper. Dredge each crab in all-purpose flour, shaking off the excess flour.
4
In a large nonstick skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Once hot, place the crabs top-side down in the skillet. Cook for approximately 3 minutes, pressing gently for even cooking. Flip the crabs over and cook for another 3 minutes. After cooking, cut each crab into quarters, keeping the legs attached.
5
Take a sheet of nori and cut off the top quarter along a short end. Place the nori, shiny side down, on a sushi mat lined with plastic wrap, ensuring the short end is closest to you. With moist hands, evenly pat down 3/4 cup of the rice over the nori, leaving a 1-inch border on the edge nearest you.
6
Arrange 4 pieces of the cooked crab and 4 slices of avocado horizontally over the rice, allowing the crab legs to extend slightly beyond the nori edges. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of sliced green onions and 1 teaspoon of sesame seeds.
7
Gently lift the short edge of the nori closest to you and fold it over the filling. With the aid of the sushi mat, roll the nori toward the top edge while applying gentle pressure. Continue rolling until sealed, then use a sharp knife to slice each roll into 8 pieces.
8
Serve with soy sauce and wasabi for a complete sushi experience!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Crispy Soft-Shell Crab Sushi Rolls?
These are sushi rolls featuring fried soft-shell crab, sushi rice, avocado, and nori, garnished with green onions and sesame seeds.
What kind of rice is best for these sushi rolls?
Short-grain sushi rice is used for this recipe because it provides the necessary stickiness to hold the roll together.
How do I prepare the sushi rice?
Simmer short-grain rice in water for 15 minutes, let it rest for another 15 minutes covered, then mix with seasoned rice vinegar.
Why is seasoned rice vinegar added to the rice?
Seasoned rice vinegar adds the essential tangy flavor to the rice and helps achieve the traditional sushi texture.
How long should the rice rest after being seasoned?
After stirring in the seasoned rice vinegar, the rice should rest at room temperature for 30 minutes while covered.
How do I prepare the soft-shell crabs for frying?
Clean the crabs, season them with salt and black pepper, and then dredge them in all-purpose flour, shaking off any excess.
What is the best way to cook the soft-shell crabs?
Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and cook the crabs for about 3 minutes per side until crispy.
How should the cooked crab be sliced for the rolls?
Once fried, cut each crab into quarters while making sure to keep the legs attached to the pieces.
How do I prepare the nori sheets?
Cut off the top quarter of each nori sheet along a short end before placing it on the sushi mat.
Which side of the nori should be facing down?
Place the nori sheet shiny side down on a sushi mat lined with plastic wrap.
How much rice should I use per roll?
Use approximately 3/4 cup of the prepared rice for each sheet of nori.
How should I apply the rice to the nori?
With moist hands, evenly pat the rice over the nori, leaving a 1-inch border on the edge nearest to you.
How many avocado slices go into each roll?
Arrange 4 slices of avocado horizontally over the rice for each roll.
How many pieces of crab go into each roll?
Place 4 pieces of the quartered cooked crab over the rice in each roll.
How do I position the crab inside the roll?
Arrange the crab pieces horizontally so that the legs extend slightly beyond the edges of the nori.
What garnishes are included inside the roll?
Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of sliced green onions and 1 teaspoon of sesame seeds over the filling before rolling.
What is the technique for rolling the sushi?
Lift the short edge of the nori and fold it over the filling, then use the sushi mat to roll it tightly until sealed.
How many pieces does each roll yield?
Using a sharp knife, each sushi roll should be sliced into 8 individual pieces.
What condiments should I serve with this dish?
Serve the sushi rolls with soy sauce and wasabi for a traditional experience.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe is designed to provide 8 servings.
Is this recipe suitable for beginners?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy recipe and is a great introduction to making specialty sushi rolls at home.
What equipment do I need to roll the sushi?
You will need a sushi mat (bamboo) and plastic wrap to line it to prevent sticking.
Can I use oil instead of butter to fry the crabs?
The recipe specifies butter for flavor, but a high-smoke point oil can be used if you prefer.
Why should I moisten my hands before touching the rice?
Moistening your hands prevents the sticky sushi rice from adhering to your skin while you spread it.
What makes the crab 'crispy' in this recipe?
The combination of dredging the crab in flour and pan-frying it in butter creates the crispy texture.
Can I add other vegetables to these rolls?
While this recipe uses avocado and green onions, you can customize it with cucumber or radish if desired.
Is this a good dish for parties?
Yes, it is considered an exciting and memorable option for parties or special occasions.
How do I ensure even cooking for the crabs?
Press down gently on the crabs while they are frying in the skillet to ensure they cook evenly.
What should I look for when buying soft-shell crabs?
Ensure the crabs are cleaned properly; the recipe uses four 4.5-ounce crabs.
What type of flour is used for the coating?
Standard all-purpose flour is used for dredging the crabs before they are fried.