Method

1. For the chilli crab: bring a large pan of salted water to the boil. Add the crabs, cover with a lid and cook for 10-12 minutes. Remove the crabs and leave to cool, reserving the cooking water for the rice.

2. Once cool, crack the legs and claws off the crabs. Remove the crabmeat from the shells and set aside.

3. Heat the olive oil in a large pot and gently fry the chillies, ginger and garlic for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar and a splash of water to the pan. Stir in the sweet chilli sauce and simmer for 5-6 minutes. Remove from the heat until ready to serve.

4. For the rice: heat the oil and fry the onions until tender. Add the cardamom seeds, coriander seeds, star anise and cloves and cook for 2-3 minutes.

5. Add the rice and stir well. Add half the stock, bring to the boil and cover. Cook for 5 minutes.

6. Quarter one of the lime and add the pieces to the rice. Add the remaining stock, cover again and cook until the rice is fluffy. Add the grated zest of the second lime and the coriander to the rice cooked rice and stir through.

7. Add the prepared crabmeat, and the crab legs and claws to the chilli sauce to warm through.

8. Serve the warm chilli crab with the scented rice.