Beer Poached Blue Crabs With Sweet N Savory Coleslaw Recipes

STEAMED BLUE CRABS

Steps:

• Combine 1/2 cup seafood seasoning, salt, beer, and vinegar in a large stockpot over high heat. Bring to a strong simmer.
• Right before cooking, carefully place each crab upside down and stick a knife through the shell, just behind mouth.
• Fit a screen over the beer mixture and layer the crabs on the screen. Be sure that the crabs are above the simmering liquid. Cover.
• Steam crabs until they turn bright orange and all of the blue/green color is gone, 20 to 30 minutes. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup seafood seasoning before serving.

BLUE CRAB BEIGNETS

Steps:

• Beignet batter: In a mixing bowl, whisk baking powder, cornstarch, salt, and flour to combine. Gradually whisk in beer and continue stirring until no lumps remain and the batter yields a ribbony texture. Set aside.
• Crab filling: In a bowl, mix mascarpone, chives, and shallot until thoroughly combined. Season with salt to taste. Fold in the crab meat, separating without breaking up the individual lumps, and gently mix just to combine. Chill for 10-15 minutes. (In the meantime, prepare the aioli: see Step 4 for instructions.)
• Frying the beignets, part 1: Fill a heavy-bottomed cast-iron pot ¾ full with peanut oil (about 3 cups) and heat oil to 375 F. Roll 1-1½ tablespoon-sized balls of the crab mixture and use a spoon to drop them on top of the beer batter. Make sure the oil is ready by dropping in a few beads of batter to see if they fry.
• Frying the beignets, part 2: When the oil is ready, gently roll the crab balls in the batter to coat completely; leaving holes will cause the mascarpone to melt out. Lift the balls from the batter and let them slide off the spoon into the oil. Fry until crisp and deep golden brown, about 4 minutes. (You may have to fry in batches.) As you fry, continually adjust the heat to keep the temperature at 375 F.When the beignets are done, use the spider strainer to place them on paper towels to drain. Prepare a serving plate with a layer of aioli; place beignets on the aioli, sprinkle with flaky salt, and serve with lemon slices. Aioli recipe: Roughly chop garlic clove on cutting board; add ½ tablespoon salt and use the back of a knife to repeatedly press the garlic and salt together to make a paste. Place in a bowl along with a squeeze of lemon and 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard. Whisk in 2 egg yolks, then slowly drizzle in a ½ cup olive oil, whisking the entire time until emulsified and creamy. Season to taste with salt and white pepper.

SHRIMP POACHED WITH BEER, OLD BAY AND LEMON

Steps:

• Fill a large pot with about 2 qts. water.
• Crack open the beer and pour it in the pot.
• Add salt and squeeze in lemon juice; toss the halves in, too.
• Add herbs, garlic and Old Bay.
• Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and simmer for 5 minutes to infuse the water with the aromatics.
• Now reduce heat to medium-low and put shrimp in the mixture.
• Simmer, uncovered, for 2 to 3 minutes or until shrimp are bright pink.
• Drain and transfer to a bowl.
• Chill thoroughly, then peel.
• Serve with lemon wedges and coctail sauce.
• NOTE: I used peeled, uncooked shrimp for this and it turned out just fine.
• Cocktail Sauce:.
• Mix 1/2 cup ketchup, 1/4 cup grated fresh or prepared horseradish, 1 teaspoon minced garlic and a few drops of hot pepper sauce.

BEER POACHED FISH.

Steps:

• 1. In a large pan( I use a 12" cast iron dutch oven). combine every thing but the fish. Simmer on med-low heat for 15-20 min. Lay your fish into the liquid cover and simmer 10-15 min Or till fish flakes.
• 2. Carefully remove fish from pot and lay on a plater. Now combine 2 tablespoons of melted butter and 3 tablespoons flour with 1 1/2 cups of liquid from pot. Cook in a sauce pan till thickened. Pour over fish and serve.

SAVORY COLESLAW

Steps:

• Add all the cut vegetables to a large bowl.
• Whisk the dressing ingredients together, pour over the coleslaw and mix well.
• Chill for about an hour before serving.