Finally, a healthy (and dairy free!) hors d’oeuvre! These Crab and Lemongrass Cups are packed with flavour and will have your party guests begging for more.
Hello Asian crab and lemongrass cups, and all my favourite flavours in the universe :)
Backpacking through Asia in my misspent youth, coupled with an intolerance to all things dairy, means that Asian cuisine is the one I fall back on more than any other.
It’s quick to prepare, fresh, healthy and full of seriously punchy flavours and it leaves my body feeling amazing.
So this party season, if you want your party nibbles to make people glow, then keep reading…
Preparing the Cucumber Salad
I sliced my cucumber in half, lengthwise, and scraped out the seeds with a teaspoon.
Next I grated the cucumber halves with a mandoline to get these very long, thin ribbons.
You can totally use a spiraliser for this if you have one.
Next squish the cucumber ribbons in your hands within a few sheets of kitchen towel.
You’re aiming to break down the fibres and release as much water as possible.
You should be left with thin and ‘wobbly’ cucumber noodles.
Divide these into 12 little cups.
I’m using bamboo ones that I had leftover from a food demo, but you could use ramekins or lay them out in little heaps on a platter for folk to help themselves from.
Preparing the Crab
When buying crab there are two things to look out for.
1/ be sure to buy British (assuming you live in Britain!).
2/ buy hand picked, or pick your own. This ensures maximum flavour, and minimum bits of broken shell mixed through your crab meat.
You can also buy crab meat frozen which can make for a very handy impromptu dinner.
To make the Crab cups
Next I very finely chopped a stick of lemongrass, and thinly sliced the white part of a spring onion. These both got mixed through the brown crab meat.
This then got piled onto the cucumber, topped with the white meat, decorated with a sliver of mild red chilli and dressed with sesame seeds and the delicious lemongrass dressing.
At this point I would recommend making more than you think you’ll need as these are sooooo good!
You can serve these cute little cups as a starter, a side to another Asian style dish. Or as I did, as part of seafood & sushi spread.
This is honestly one of those meals that I will never forget <3
If Asian flavours are your thing too, may I recommend checking you my Asian Style Razor Clams recipe?
There’s also plenty of info in the article about how to catch your own razor clams too.
- 1 medium hand picked crab (defrosted if frozen)
- 1 cucumber, cut lengthways, deseeded and grated into long thin ribbons
- 1 spring onion, finely sliced, green and white parts separated
- 1 mild red chilli, very thinly sliced
- 2 teaspoon sesame seeds
- 1 fresh lemongrass stick, very finely chopped
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon fish sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
Slice the cucumber in half, lengthwise, and scraped out the seeds with a teaspoon. Discard the seeds.
Grate the cucumber halves with a mandoline to get very long, thin ribbons. Pile them up in a few sheets of kitchen paper and squeeze firmly to remove as much water from them as possible
Divide the cucumber noodles into 12 portions.
Separate the white from the brown crab meat in two bowls. (If your crab meat comes mixed together, don't worry, it will still taste delicious)
To the brown meat add the white slices of spring onion and half the minced lemongrass stick. Mix well. Pile the brown meat on top of the cucumber noodles, and top with the white crab meat.
Decorate each cup with the green slices of spring onion, the red chilli slice and a pinch of sesame seeds and keep refrigerated until you are ready to serve.
Mix all the dressing ingredients together in a small bowl and add a little to each Asian crab and lemongrass cup just before serving.
Elizabeth says
I had no idea frozen sushi existed! Genius, and these crab cups look divine! I want to come to yours for a party! :D
Jane Sarchet says
I know! For a sushi junkie like me it’s really handy to keep a secret stash in the freezer for those days that I can’t get out to my favourite sushi bar or can’t be bothered to make my own :D
kathryn clayton says
Love your presentation of the crab cups. Great tip about squeezing water from cucumber. Iceland party platters are great for the party season:-)
Jane Sarchet says
Thank you Kathryn, and Iceland are a godsend when things get festive crazy! :D
Brian Jones says
That sounds superb, I have yet to come across frozen crab although have my eye on a frozen lobster I have seen this Christmas… Have you tried frozen mussels yet, I am a little sceptical but they have all of a sudden appeared in the stores and mussels are my favourite.
Jane Sarchet says
I’v had frozen mussels in a dish (funnily enough, from Iceland!) and they were delicious – sweet juicy and still tender. I don’t think I’ve ever seen them as just a bag of mussels – but would certainly give them a go.
Rebecca | aaublog says
So impressed with the range of foods that iceland have – great for the holiday season. The crab recipe looks amazing – I love thai-style food
Jane Sarchet says
Agreed on all fronts Rebecca!
Emily says
That sushi looks fantastic, I’ll definitely be using these for Christmas parties!
Jane Sarchet says
Thanks Emily!
Patty says
Such a pretty and delicious appetizer! Love that you de-seeded the cucumber, I would have done it too ;)
Jane Sarchet says
Ha! Yes it would have been a watery mess if the seeds weren’t removed Patty (and my chickens were very grateful for them!)
Katherine says
That looks so impressive! It’s amazing what you can create with handy frozen foods. Such a fab spread of luxury foods.
Jane Sarchet says
Agreed!
Michelle Twin Mum says
Those crab cups looks excellent, it’s a long time since I’ve had crab if I’m honest and I always forget to go to Iceland, they really seem to be upping their game in recent years. Mich x
Jane Sarchet says
I would agree Michelle. I’d never shopped in an Iceland store before I started working with them, assuming that thy were all frozen chips and ping meals. But they are working hard to change direction and have some incredible foods in store now that make my day to day meals so much quicker and easier (and with less food waste).
Laura says
I love your crab appetizers, and I have exactly the same bamboo cups. So what am I waiting for?
Jane Sarchet says
Ha! Let me know how you get on Laura!
Kavita Favelle | Kavey Eats says
Really love the look of these! Years ago I was a bit sniffy about the price of dressed crab, but then several years ago I bought a huge crab, cooked it and picked it myself, took me so many hours (and such an achy back) that now I’m VERY happy to pay for dressed crab and have the work done for me! Wish I had an Iceland near me, this looks really very good.
Jane Sarchet says
Me too Kavey! I think anyone that has ever taken the time to do it themselves (and had to work around all the bits of shell you get in the meat!) would totally agree!
The only time I’ve actually enjoyed picking crab is when I was sat in a sunny garden with friends, with a crab each and a bottle of wine, and we took all afternoon picking and nibbling as we went. It’s the ultimate slow food! :)
Agata says
OMG, those coconut leaf prawn parcels look totally perfect! Want one… or two!
Jane Sarchet says
Or 6…? :D
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
These look so elegant! Very impressive looking – perfect for a holiday party :)
Jane Sarchet says
And so little work Becca #winwin :D
Claire Jessiman says
The crab looks lush! I’ve tried the regular frozen crab from Iceland but this looks even better. Adore the wee dishes you served it in too. It’s beginning to look a lite like…
Jane Sarchet says
Thanks Claire!
Neli @ Delicious Meets Healthy says
These are absolutely adorable and I bet they taste amazing! I know someone who would love this recipe!
Jane Sarchet says
Feel free to share Neli ;)
Narelle Smith says
Definitely make more than you think you need! Absolutely delicious…
Jane Sarchet says
Exactly!!!
Diana says
I love the sound of these Asian lemongrass and crab cubs, they sound very refreshing because of the cucumbers added. I love Iceland’s luxury food range, excellent quality and very convenient±
Jane Sarchet says
Thank you Diana! They are a really healthy, tasty & refreshing & low carb party option :)
Stephanie says
This sounds so good! Totally craving it now :)
Jane Sarchet says
Oops #sorrynotsorry :)
Helene says
Wow frozen crabs existed .. I never knew
Wow I’m really going to try this soon
Thanks for such a lovely recipe
Jane Sarchet says
I know right! And as the meat is hand picked & frozen straight away the flavour is identical to eating a fresh one – SO handy!
Heidi Roberts says
I have some Iceland vouchers to use – guess what I will be buying with them!! And I have never heard of frozen sushi so might try that as well.
Jane Sarchet says
Yay! My work here is done Heidi :D
Ashley - Forking Up says
Super jealous I don’t live in Britian. I can’t believe these are frozen–they look so good! I believe I heard somewhere that the Jiro Dreams of Sushi expert actually buys fresh fish and then freezes it to enhance the flavor. So, frozen is a pretty good bet!
Jane Sarchet says
Hey Ashley, yes I’ve heard that too :)
Thanks for stopping by!
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says
I have a feeling that I will throwing a sushi party courtesy of Iceland Foods soon.
Jane Sarchet says
Hahaha, how do I bag an invite…??!
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
These crab cups look amazing! I love how easy they are to make.
Jane Sarchet says
Thanks Sam, and yes they are easy to throw together and SO healthy too!
Lindsey Schatz says
This would make a great party appetizer!
Jane Sarchet says
They sure would Lindsey!
Dawn Conklin says
These look and sound so delicious :) I have to see where I can find lemongrass, it isn’t really something I remember seeing in the stores here. Definitely want to make these tho!
Jane Sarchet says
Hey Dawn, I do hope you can find lemongrass. It has such a beautiful scent and flavour and works perfectly with lots of Asian dishes :)
Janie x