Soft-Shell Crab Poor-Boy

Directions

1. 1
   Heat oven to 350 degrees.
2. 2
   Split bread in half and remove some of the soft white crumb with your fingers.
3. 3
   Toast bread lightly in oven, about 10 to 15 minutes.
4. 4
   Beat egg and milk together in a bowl; combine the cornmeal, flour, cayenne and a large pinch of salt on a plate.
5. 5
   Put about 1/4-inch of oil in a deep skillet broad enough to accommodate crabs, and turn heat to medium.
6. 6
   When oil is hot -- a pinch of flour will sizzle -- dip crabs in milk-egg mixture, then dredge in the cornmeal-flour mixture.
7. 7
   Put in skillet; adjust heat so crabs bubble gently but not furiously in oil.
8. 8
   When bottom is nicely browned, 3 to 5 minutes, turn crabs and brown other side; crabs will be quite firm when done.
9. 9
   Serve on toasted bread, garnished as you like.