Chesapeake Crab Boil Food

ULTIMATE CRAB BOIL

Steps:

• When we have a small catch we usually will steam the crabs instead of boiling - this would simply mean you place the vinegar in the bottom of the pot and add 2 - 3 cups of water just to get a steam going - the vinegar helps the crab meat come out of the shell easier. Steam for approximately 27 minutes.
• If you were boiling, you would just add all the ingredients to the pot adding enough water to cover the crabs- bring to a boil and throw in the live crabs. Cook for 12 minutes, drain and allow to rest before devouring.
• The ingredients that are listed below the bay leaves are all done to taste, using anywhere between 1/4 tsp to 1 tablespoons.

CHESAPEAKE BAY CRABS

Steps:

• Place about 6 cups of water, the vinegar, and the beer in an 8-gallon stockpot fitted with a raised rack. If you don't have a raised rack, use bricks wrapped in clean cloth to raise your rack about 6 inches off the bottom. It is important that the crabs not get wet while they're being steamed.
• Make a layer of crabs on the rack, and cover them with 1/8 to 3/4 inch of crab seasoning. Bring the liquid to a boil. Once the steam starts to rise through the crabs, cover pot with lid, and steam for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the crabs are bright red. Remove the crabs with tongs or rubber gloves. (Using rubber gloves makes handling easier, preventing you from burning your hands -- and inadvertently dropping any crabs.)

CHESAPEAKE CRAB BOIL

Steps:

• Combine the beer, vinegar, Old Bay, and salt in a medium nonreactive bowl; set aside.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large, deep, nonreactive kettle.
• Pile half the crabs on the rack and pour in half the beer mixture; add the remaining crabs and beer mixture.
• Set over med-high heat and bring to a boil; adjust the heat so the liquid bubbles gently, cover tight, and steam the crabs for 20-25 minutes or until they are bright red.
• Serve at once with melted butter and plenty of napkins.
• Don't forget to put out a large bowl to catch the crab shells.

CHESAPEAKE BAY BLUE CRAB HOT POT

Steps:

• In a heavy-gauged pot on medium to high heat add the grapeseed oil. When a light haze rises from the pan, add all of the crab. The blue crabs contain water so you must cook them until this liquid has evaporated. Then add the butter. Allow the milk solids to fall and when the butter stops foaming add the vegetables and cook until translucent. Add the coriander seed and brown lightly. Add the tomato paste and chopped tomato and cook, stirring frequently, for 4 minutes. Deglaze with the white wine, scraping up any bits sticking to the pan. Add the water and chicken stock. Bring up to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes. Add the bay leaf and thyme cook an additional 10 minutes. Press the whole mixture into a strainer. The broth should have small pieces of the vegetables from the cooking of the crab. Check and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Divide evenly and garnish each with some of the crab, pickled ramps, sauteed shiitakes and creme fraiche.
• Combine the sugar, vinegar, and water and bring to a boil. Add the mustard, coriander, fennel seeds, peppercorns, and bay leaf. Blanch and shock ramps, strain, and pour the warm pickling liquid over the ramps. Let cool and store for 3 days before using.

CHESAPEAKE CRAB DIP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°; in a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, lemon juice, mustard, seafood seasoning and garlic salt. Fold in crab. Transfer to a greased 9-in. pie plate. Sprinkle with cheese and paprika., Bake until cheese is melted and bubbly, 20-25 minutes. Serve warm with crackers. Refrigerate leftovers.

CHESAPEAKE CRAB BALLS

Steps:

• Remove all excess shell from crabmeat
• In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, butter, green onions, old bay seasoning and horseradish. while mixing gradually add crabmeat. Divide mixture into two balls.
• Refrigerate the balls for at least one hour.
• On a piece of waxed paper, mix the parsley and old bay seasoning.
• Remove crab balls from the refrigerator and roll them on the wax paper until they are completely coated.

ZATARAIN'S COPYCAT CRAB BOIL MIX

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients well, crushing slightly. Place all on a muslin or cheesecloth square, gather corners and tie securely.
• When the water for the seafood is boiling add the crab boil sachet along with plenty of salt. Continue boiling until the water takes on color before adding seafood.