Kampot Pepper Crab (Stir-Fried Crab with Fresh Green Peppercorns)
Local name: ក្តាមឆាម្រេចខ្ចី
In short: Crab stir-fried with garlic, palm sugar, fish sauce and fresh green Kampot peppercorns until coated in a glossy, peppery, savory-sweet sauce. It takes about 35 min in total and makes 3 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Total
- 35 min
- Servings
- 3
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 480 kcal
Kampot pepper crab is a seaside favorite in southern Cambodia, where crab and Kampot pepper both come from the coast. The crab is stir-fried in a very hot wok with plenty of garlic, then braised briefly with palm sugar, fish sauce and fresh green peppercorns, which give a floral, tingling heat. Eat it with your hands, rice and a lime-pepper dip.
Instructions
- Rinse the crab pieces and pat them dry. Crack the claws and thickest shell pieces lightly with the back of a heavy knife so the sauce can reach the meat.
- Heat a large wok over high heat. Add the oil and the garlic and stir for 20 seconds, until just fragrant but not brown.
- Add the crab and stir-fry for 2 minutes, until the shells begin to turn red.
- Add the peppercorns, palm sugar, fish sauce and water. Cover and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, shaking the wok now and then, until the shells are bright orange and the meat is opaque, at 63°C (145°F).
- Uncover, add the spring onions and cook for 2 minutes, until the sauce thickens and coats the crab.
- Stir the dip ingredients together. Serve the crab hot with rice and the dip.
Tips
- If you buy live crab, put it in the freezer for 30 minutes before cleaning, which numbs it. Ask the fishmonger to clean it for you.
- Fresh green peppercorns are hard to find. Brined ones are a good substitute, but rinse them well, and add 1 tsp coarsely cracked black pepper for more heat.
Questions and answers
What kind of crab is best?
Blue crab, mud crab or Dungeness all work. Use hard-shelled crabs with plenty of meat, and cut them into pieces so the sauce can coat each part.
Can I use frozen crab?
Yes. Thaw it overnight in the fridge, drain well and pat dry before stir-frying. It will release more water, so cook it a minute longer to thicken the sauce.
Is Kampot pepper crab spicy?
It is peppery but not chili-hot. The green peppercorns give a floral, tingly heat. Add fresh chilies or more pepper if you want it hotter.
How long does it take to make Kampot Pepper Crab (Stir-Fried Crab with Fresh Green Peppercorns)?
About 35 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 15 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Kampot Pepper Crab (Stir-Fried Crab with Fresh Green Peppercorns)?
About 480 kcal per serving, with 23 g of protein, 64 g of carbohydrates and 13 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 480 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 23 g |
| Carbohydrates | 64 g |
| Fat | 13 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Sodium | 1900 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
