Spring and summer are the seasons for crabs. Whether you use blue swimmer or mud crabs, neither will disappoint with their sweet, delicate flesh.
Ingredients
Potato rosti
Method
1.Preheat oven to 160°C. Grease and line base and sides of a 20cm x 30cm x 3cm-deep tin with baking paper. For potato rosti, coarsely grate potato and place in a large clean tea towel and squeeze out as much water as possible. Transfer potato to a large bowl and add herbs, flour and egg. Season to taste and stir to combine. Place mixture in prepared tin, and, using an offset spatula or metal spoon, press evenly and firmly into the tin. Bake until cooked through but without colour (40 minutes). Refrigerate to cool (1 hour).
2.Meanwhile, whisk lemon juice, mustard and oil together in a bowl.
3.Remove rosti from pan and trim edges straight. Cut potato rosti into four lengthways, then cut each length into 7 almost-square pieces (3.5cm x 4.5cm). Makes 28. Heat a frying pan filled with 2cm oil over high heat to 180°C. Shallow-fry rosti, in batches, turning occasionally until deep golden (2-3 minutes.) Drain on paper towel and keep warm.
4.To serve, add crab meat to lemon dressing, season to taste and toss to combine. Place rostis on a large platter, top with dressed crab meat, roe and red vein sorrel leaves.
Potato rosti can be prepared a day ahead. If blue swimmer or mud crab meat is unavailable, substitute spanner crab meat, prawns or lobster.
Notes