Dungeness Crab Chimichangas Food

DUNGENESS CRAB DIP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350° degrees F.
• Slice the French bread very thinly into 1/4-inch slices, cut each slice into two pieces, place on a baking sheet and brush each slice with melted butter; add the cracked pepper, pressing to adhere; place under the broiler for approximately 2-3 minutes until lightly toasted; Turn each slice over and toast the other side for 2-3 minutes until lightly toasted; Remove from oven and cool in the pan on a rack.
• In a small bowl combine the cream cheese, sour cream, garlic, crab, Parmesan, cayenne and salt; mix well; Lightly butter two 4 oz. (1/2 cup) ramekins, fill each ramekin with the crab mixture (This can be done ahead of time, covered and refrigerated until ready to bake).
• When ready to serve, bake for approximately 20 - 22 minutes until top is bubbly and starting to turn brown; Place on a plate with a pate knife and the toasted bread and serve.
• Makes approximately 1 cup.

DUNGENESS DUNGENESS CRABS WITH WHITE WINE-GARLIC

Steps:

• Prepare the grill for direct cooking over high heat (450° to 550°F).
• To kill each crab, place it on its back and hold it down with a large cleaver. Use a hammer to tap the top edge of the cleaver and cut the crab in half lengthwise all the way through. Remove and discard the dangling tail flaps and mouth parts. Turn the crab over. Pull off and discard the top shell. Remove and discard the gills. Rinse each half of the crab under cold running water and use your finger to scoop out and discard the dark viscera. Slice each half into five pieces by cutting between each leg and through the body. Using the hammer again (or a nutcracker or crab cracker), crack each section of each leg to make eating easier after the crabs are cooked.
• In a 12-inch cast-iron skillet combine the butter, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
• Place the skillet over direct high heat and cook, with the lid open, until the butter melts and the garlic turns golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the wine and cook until it comes to a boil. Remove the skillet from the grill and set it down on a heat-proof surface.
• Grill the crab pieces over direct high heat, with the lid open, for about 4 minutes, turning once, and then move them to the skillet. Return the skillet over direct high heat and gently turn the crab pieces with tongs to coat them with the sauce. Cook until the liquid boils and the crab is fully cooked, 2 to 3 minutes. Serve warm with pieces of bread to dip into the liquid remaining in the skillet.

GARLIC AND CHILE ROASTED DUNGENESS CRABS

Steps:

• Fill a large stockpot two-thirds full of water. Add enough salt so that the water tastes like seawater. Add half of the sliced lemon and the reserved peels from the garlic and onion, and bring to a boil. Plunge the crabs in the water, in batches if necessary, and cook for 5 minutes. Remove the crabs from the stockpot and set aside until cool enough to handle.
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• When the crabs are cool enough to handle, remove the top shell and apron and discard. Remove the gills and any transparent cartilage and scrape out any crab fat and rinse crabs under cool running water. Place crabs, bottom side down, on a cutting board and halve lengthwise with a heavy knife.
• Combine 1 1/2 teaspoons of the salt, the minced garlic, onions, butter, olive oil, crushed red pepper, and black pepper in a large roasting pan. Place the pan in the oven on the lowest rack, and bake, stirring occasionally, until onions and garlic are golden, about 8 minutes. (Do not allow the garlic to burn.) Remove the pan from the oven and add the crab pieces and mix thoroughly so that the crabs are well coated with the garlic and butter mixture. Return the pan to the oven and bake, stirring occasionally, until the crabs are heated through and the garlic mixture is braised onto the shells, 13 to 15 minutes. Remove from the oven, sprinkle with the chopped parsley or cilantro, and serve hot.

NORTHWEST GRILLED DUNGENESS CRAB

Steps:

• Preheat grill to medium high.
• Melt butter with olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice and grated peel.
• Toss crab in the butter mixture to coat and place it on the grill away from the flame.
• Toss vegetables in the butter mixture and season to taste with salt and pepper; place vegetables on the grill.
• Cook the crab for 4 minutes and turn over, burshing with the butter mixture.
• Turn the vegetables over and cook until the crab is heated through and the vegetables are tender crisp.
• Arrange the vegetables on a platter.
• Toss the herbs in the remaining butter mixture and add the crab; toss to coat.
• Arrange the crab over the vegetables and pour the remaning butter mixture over the platter, serve with crusty bread.

DUNGENESS CRAB TACOS WITH RADISHES

Steps:

• Set aside 1 tsp (5 mL) of lemon juice for the avocado. Mix remaining juice with lemon zest, miso paste, mustard, honey, and canola oil in a blender to make the dressing. Mash avocado with a fork. Season with 1 tsp (5 mL) lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
• Mix about 1/4 cup (60 mL) dressing into the crab meat and taste, adjusting as needed. Refrigerate the remaining dressing for up to two weeks - it works great on salads.
• To serve, put crab meat mixture into the wonton shells so they are bursting. Spoon the avocado mixture onto a plate and place assembled tacos on top. Garnish with radish slices and sprouts.

NORTHWEST DUNGENESS CRAB CURRY

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
• Drop in the crabs and cook until they stop moving, about 3-4 minutes.
• Remove the crabs from the pot and cool.
• When they are cool enough to handle, pull of and discard the top shell.
• Scrape the insides clean with a small spoon.
• Remove the spongy lungs on both sides of the body.
• With a heavy knife, cut the crabs in quarters and crack the claws; set aside.
• Heat a small frying pan over medium heat.
• Toast the coriander seeds and peppercorns, stirring constantly, for 1 minute, then grind finely in a spice mill or coffee grinder.
• Place in a bowl and add the paprika, cayenne and turmeric; set aside.
• Heat the oil over medium heat in a frying pan or pot that will be able to accommodate the crab pieces.
• Fry the black mustard seeds until they pop.
• Add the onions and garlic and cook until lightly browned.
• Stir in the spice mixture and the water.
• Bring to a boil, and then simmer until the mixture is reduced by half.
• Add the coconut milk and bring to boil.
• Season with salt and add the crab.
• Cook for 5 minutes, turning the pieces over to ensure even cooking.
• Remove from the heat and serve.

WHITE BEAN CHILI WITH DUNGENESS CRAB

Steps:

• Pick over and rinse the cannellini beans.
• In large pot, cover the beans with 3 inches of water and soak over night.
• Drain.
• In large heavy pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat.
• Saute the onion, chiles, and garlic until the onions are translucent.
• Add the cumin, cilantro, oregano, cayenne and cloves.
• Add the drained beans, ham hock, and chicken broth and cook until the beans are tender, 2 to 3 hours.
• Add the cheese, stirring until well mixed.
• Add the sour cream, stirring until well mixed.
• Add the crabmeat, and stir well.
• Crumble the bacon.
• Top each serving with bacon and croutons.

DUNGENESS CRAB BISQUE

Steps:

• Remove the claws from the crabs and quarter the bodies. Heat a 6-quart stockpot. Add the oil and saute the crab pieces until they are red. Remove the pieces as they are cooked. Add the carrot, celery, tomatoes, garlic, shallots, and tarragon and continue to saute for 10 minutes. Pour in the cognac and ignite. When the flame has subsided, deglaze with white wine, and add the tomato paste, crab, and enough fish stock to cover. Season with salt, pepper, cayenne, thyme, and bay leaf and boil gently for 15 minutes.
• In a small saucepan, reduce the cream by half. Remove the crab bodies from the pot and set aside. Add the reduced cream to the soup. Puree the soup, in batches, in a food processor. Strain the pureed soup and keep warm.
• Remove the meat from the claws and cut into bite-size pieces and add to the soup. Season with lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Serve in heated soup bowls and garnish with minced chives or parsley.