Domenic Chiaromonte

Sugar Panko Crusted Soft Shell Crab with Compressed Watermelon

Soft shell crab is such an attractive dish. During a certain season crabs shed their shell and a new replacement commences. At this point the shell is very soft, edible and extremely tasty. Soft shell crab can be so versatile in its use, whether it’s in a salad, a sandwich or an entrée. I love to use it as a fist course replacing the common typical first course, and it’s always a hit. It’s very easy to work with and has great catering characteristics (makes 4 portions).

Crab
4 small soft shell Crabs (both ends clean)
2 large eggs whisked
2 cups spelt flour
2 cups Panko bread crumbs
½ cup sugar
2 liters vegetable oil (for frying)

Mix sugar with panko. Set up 3 containers - 1 with flour, 1 with egg and 1 with sugar and panko mixture. Dip crab in flour, then egg, then the panko and sugar mixture. Make sure it is well coated

Heat oil to 325c and fry crab till golden brown.

Compressed Watermelon
1 watermelon peeled
1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Soya
1 teaspoon Mirin
1 teaspoon basil oil
½ teaspoon chili flakes
Vacuum seal bag

Cut watermelon into 2 x 2 x 2-inch cubes. Place watermelon into vacuum seal bag. Add vinegar, soya and mirin, basil oil and chili flakes. Vacuum and seal bag. Place in fridge for 2 hours to marinate

Assembly
Place compressed watermelon on plate and top with warm soft shell crab. Top crab with seasoned micro greens.

PROFILE

Company Name: Match Restaurant and Event Venue

City/ province: Toronto , Ontario

Owners: Paul Mauti, Domenic Chiaromonte

Type of Company: Restaurant, venue, off site catering

Years in business:  14

Facility description: restaurants with 100 seats plus 30 person patio, match also has a venue that holds 300 people for a plated event

Annual sales: $3.4 million

Full time employees: 12

Website: www.matchyyz.com

Company Description: Match has become a great business it has dipped it’s interests into 3 areas of the culinary Market. Match started as a restaurant then expanded it’s location to accommodate a great venue that can cater to an intimate party for 20, a plated event for 300 people or a cocktail style reception up to 500. Match also has branched out into the offsite catering market. Match has recently been accepted into some of Toronto’s most successful venues as a caterer. Match tries to be an alternative caterer that provides a style of food that is not traditional or repetitive. Match has always been creative, fun and extremely entertaining when it comes to their menus.