Soft-shell crab tempura sandwiches with coleslaw and tartar sauce and Old Bay chips

Ingredients:

Coleslaw in tartar sauce

• 0.5 cup finely chopped gherkins
• 0.5 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp capers, drained
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• A pinch of sugar
• Juice of half a lemon
• A quarter of a Spanish onion, grated
• Half a small head of white cabbage, shredded

Old Bay Potato Chips

• 1 bag of potato chips, such as Lay's or Kettle
• 1 tbsp seafood seasoning, such as Old Bay

Crabs

• Rapeseed oil (canola) for deep frying
• 3 cups rice flour
• A few drops of hot sauce, optional
• 4 peeled soft-shell crabs

Sandwiches

• 4 soft potato buns
• 2 tomatoes, sliced ​​into circles
• Special equipment: deep-frying thermometer

Preparation:

1. Salad in tartar sauce:
   
   In a large bowl, combine the gherkins, mayonnaise, capers, mustard, sugar, lemon juice, onion, and some salt and black pepper. Add the cabbage and toss to coat with the dressing. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
2. Old Bay Potato Chips:
   
   Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Spread the potato chips in an even layer on a baking sheet and bake until heated through, 2 minutes. Pour the seafood seasoning into a fine-mesh sieve and sift it evenly over the chips; toss gently.
3. Soft-shell crabs:
   
   Place a wire rack on a baking sheet. Heat 3-4 inches of oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat until it reaches 375°F (190°C) on a deep-fry thermometer. Mix 2 cups of rice flour with 2 cups of water until smooth, then season with salt, pepper, and a little hot sauce, if using.
4. Place the remaining 1 cup of rice flour in a shallow dish and season with salt and pepper. Season the crabs with salt and pepper.
5. Dredge 2 crabs in flour and shake off any excess. Dip them in the batter, letting any excess drip off. Fry until golden brown and crispy and cooked through, turning occasionally, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack. Repeat with the remaining 2 crabs.
6. Sandwiches:
   
   Place a small amount of coleslaw on the bottom half of each bun and top with fried crab. Add more lettuce and a slice of tomato. Sprinkle with chips. Close the sandwiches with the bun tops and serve immediately.