Parmesan-crusted Soft-shell Crab Sandwiches

Yield: 8 Servings
2 c Flour
1 c Parmesan; grated
1/2 ts Salt
1/4 ts Pepper
2 Egg; lightly beaten
1/4 ts Tabasco
1 c Mayonnaise
1 Lemon; juiced
Zest of 1 lemon; finely grated
1/2 ts Garlic; minced
1/2 ts Thyme
1 tb Olive oil; extra-virgin
1 c Oil; for frying
8 Soft-shell crabs; cleaned
8 Rolls, hard; halved
2 md Tomatoes; thinly sliced
2 Bn Arugula; large stems removed

In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup of the flour with the Parmesan, salt and pepper. Make a well in the center and add the eggs and 1/4 cup of water. Beat the eggs and water together and gradually incorporate the flour mixture to form a smooth batter. Add 1/8 teaspoon of the Tabasco and set aside to rest for 30 minutes. In another bowl, combine the mayonnaise, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, thyme, olive oil and the remaining 1/8 teaspoon Tabasco. Whisk to blend and set aside for at least 30 minutes. (The recipe can be prepared to this point up to 1 day ahead. Refrigerate the batter and mayonnaise. If the batter becomes very thick, thin it out with a little water.) Preheat the oven to 250F. In a large skillet, heat the peanut oil over moderately high heat to 350F. Dredge the crabs in the remaining 1 cup flour and shake off the excess. Dip 4 of the crabs in the batter, let some of the batter drip off, and then fry them in the skillet, turning once, until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels, place on a heatproof platter and keep warm in the oven. Repeat with the 4 remaining crabs. Scoop out some of the bread from the center of the rolls to hollow them slightly. Spread 2 heaping teaspoons of the mayonnaise on each half. Assemble the sandwiches by placing 2 or 3 slices of tomato and 4 or 5 arugula leaves on the bottom half of each roll. Set the fried crabs on top and close the sandwiches. Serve immediately. Serves 8.

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