_crabs To Boil Steam Or Shell Recipes

MARYLAND CRAB FEAST RECIPE

Steps:

• Add enough beer to the largest pot you own to reach a depth of roughly 1 inch. Pour in a generous splash of vinegar. The exact quantity isn't important; just give it a good little glug. (Note: You can also just use water to steam the crabs, if you want. The flavor difference will be subtle.)
• Set over high heat and bring to a boil. Cover pot and cook for 15 minutes. Check the crabs: They should be bright red and piping-hot when done. If they're not, cook for an additional 5 to 15 minutes, until crabs are bright red and no traces of blue remain.
• Remove crabs and repeat with any remaining crabs. Serve with distilled vinegar and drawn butter on newspaper-covered tables. Sides like corn on the cob , cornbread , and coleslaw are commonly served alongside.

CLASSIC CRAB BOIL

Steps:

• Place first 7 ingredients on a double thickness of cheesecloth. Gather corners of cloth to enclose seasonings; tie securely with string. , In a large stockpot, bring water, salt, lemon juice, cayenne and spice bag to a boil. Using tongs, add crab to stockpot; return to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until shells turn bright red, about 15 minutes. , Using tongs, remove crab from pot. Run under cold water or plunge into ice water. Serve with melted butter and lemon wedges.

NO-BOIL STUFFED SHELLS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Combine the garlic, egg, ricotta, Parmesan, 1/2 cup of the mozzarella, 2 tablespoons of the parsley, a large pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper in a large bowl. Fold to combine. Transfer the mixture to a resealable plastic bag and snip a 1/4-inch hole in the corner.
• Spread 1/2 cup of the marinara sauce in the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Pipe the ricotta mixture into the shells and arrange them opening-side up in the baking dish. Cover with the remaining sauce and 1 1/2 cups water.
• Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 1 hour. Remove the foil, top with the remaining 1 1/2 cups mozzarella and bake until almost all the liquid has evaporated and the cheese is browned, about 10 minutes more. Let cool 10 minutes. Top with the remaining parsley before serving.

_CRABS: TO BOIL, STEAM OR SHELL

Steps:

• TO BOIL: Plunge the crabs, head down, in enough boiling water to cover. Add a crushed garlic clove then cook, covered, until done (about 15 minutes for a small crab, 30 minutes for a large one). TO STEAM: Place the crabs in a heatproof dish and cover with 5 to 6 slices fresh ginger root and 4 tablespoons sherry. Steam until done (15 to 30 minutes.) See How-To, _Steaming. TO SHELL: Remove and discard the tail or apron and force upper and lower shells apart. Discard soft, spongy parts. With nutcracker or hammer, lightly crush large claws or pincers. Then remove meat from shells and pincers, discarding the white cartilage.The Thousand Recipe Chinese Cookbook. ©1994 by Gloria Bley Miller.