Crab is one of the most popular seafood items in the world, eaten by millions of people every day. Whether you love the sweet, succulent meat of the crab legs or prefer the creamy richness of the crab bisque, there’s no denying that crab is a delicious and versatile ingredient that can be used in countless dishes.
If you’re looking for a way to cook crab, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we will take you through the steps of cooking crab and help you get the most out of your crab experience. So, let’s get started!
Preparing the Crab:
Before we start cooking crab, we need to make sure that it is prepared correctly. Here are some of the basic things that we need to do before cooking crab:
Clean the Crab:
To clean the crab, start by holding it upside down, so that all its legs and claws are facing upward. Then, pull off the apron, which is the triangular shell located at the rear of the crab. Next, remove the top shell of the body by inserting your fingers under the edge and pulling upwards.
Once the shell is removed, you can discard the soft, spongy gills and the yellowish-green “mustard” substance inside. Then, rinse the crab under cold running water to remove any loose debris or dirt.
Crack the Legs and Claws:
Crab legs and claws are quite tough and require some cracking before they can be cooked. To crack the legs and claws, use a pair of seafood crackers or a pair of nutcrackers to break open the shell. Start by placing the crab claw or leg in the cracker, and then squeeze until the shell cracks open.
Cooking the Crab:
Now that our crab is cleaned and ready, let’s move on to the actual cooking process. Here are some of the most popular ways to cook crab:
Boiling:
Boiling crab is one of the most popular ways to cook it. To boil a crab, you need to make sure that you have a large pot that is big enough to hold the whole crab. Fill the pot halfway with water and bring it to a rolling boil.
Add salt and other seasonings, such as garlic, bay leaves, and black peppercorns to the water. Then, carefully add the crab to the pot. Make sure that the crab is fully submerged in the water.
Cover the pot and let the crab boil for around 10-15 minutes or until the crab changes its color to bright red. Once done, remove the crab from the pot and transfer it to a large serving platter.
Steaming:
Steaming is another popular way to cook crab. To steam crab, you need to place the crab in a steamer basket over a pot of boiling water. Season the crab with your favorite spices, such as cayenne pepper, paprika, and salt.
Cover the pot, making sure that the steam vent is open. Steam the crab for around 10-15 minutes or until the crab turns bright red. Remove the crab from the pot and transfer it to a large serving platter.
Grilling:
Grilled crab is a delicious and unique way to cook crab. To grill crab, you need to split it in half lengthwise. Brush the crab meat with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and other seasonings of your choice.
Place the crab, cut side down, on a hot grill. Grill for around 5-10 minutes, or until the crab meat is fully cooked and heated through.
Baking:
Baking crab is an easy and straightforward way to cook it. To bake crab, you need to preheat your oven to 350°F. Place the crab in a baking dish and brush it with melted butter, garlic, and other seasonings of your choice.
Bake the crab for around 10-15 minutes or until the meat turns opaque and tender. Remove the crab from the oven and transfer it to a large serving platter.
FAQs:
Q.1 How do you tell if a crab is cooked?
A.1 A cooked crab will have a bright red shell, and the meat will be tender and opaque. The crab’s claws and legs will also be loose and easy to remove.
Q.2 Can you eat the yellow stuff in a crab?
A.2 The yellow stuff in a crab is known as the “crab butter” or “mustard.” While some people enjoy eating it, others find it too strong in flavor. It is entirely safe to eat, but it is up to personal preference.
Q.3 How long does it take to boil a crab?
A.3 It takes around 10-15 minutes to boil a crab, depending on the size of the crab.
Q.4 How do you crack crab legs?
A.4 To crack crab legs, use a pair of seafood crackers or nutcrackers to break open the shell. Squeeze the cracker around the leg or claw until the shell cracks open, revealing the meat inside.
In conclusion, cooking crab is simple and easy to do, whether you prefer to boil, steam, grill, or bake it. With these tips and tricks, you’ll be able to cook delicious and succulent crab dishes that will impress your family and friends. So, what are you waiting for? Head to your local fish market and pick up some fresh crab to cook your next seafood feast. Bon appetit!
