The first time I attended a Crab Feed I was in awe and not at all prepared. It was very informal held in the FFA barn at my high school as a fund raiser for a charity. Giant rows of tables covered in plastic checkered tablecloths were put together and next to me a lady started pulling out all sorts of contraptions from her purse. When she started heating up various flavors of butter in mini ramekins I knew how little I knew about Crab Feeds. So if you're attending a Crab Feed at a fundraiser, restaurant or block party, or throwing your own at home, here is all you need to know about buying, cooking, cleaning and throwing a crab feed...plus amazing recipes!
Buying Crab
Crab is best fresh. Right from the sea to your table is the best choice. Crab kept alive in a saltwater tank ready to be chosen is the second best. Bring along a sturdy box or ice chest for traveling with your dinner. Chill but beware of melting ice, your crab can drown! Crab can be kept in your refrigerator 'till your ready.
Not everyone has the luxury of living within driving distance to freshly caught crab. If purchasing at a market or store ask when the crab was caught and cooked. Try and purchase early in the day and smell the crab. It should not smell fishy. If asking the butcher to clean your cooked crab for you ask him for a "light cracking" with the cleaning. You have a better chance of the shell not being smashed into the meat.
Cooking Crab
Boiling and steaming are your two basic options
(look for more ways in the recipes below!).
For boiling be sure to use a big enough pot that the water is still circulating around the crab. Several batches might be necessay.
- Bring the water to a rolling boil then add plenty of salt (+/- 1 Tbl. per 2 lb crab)
- Add your live crabs
- Start the cooking time after the water returns to a boil
- Cook a couple minutes after the crabs turn a bright orange (+/- 10-15 minutes)
- Add about 5 minutes to the cooking time if crabs are bigger then 2 lbs
For steaming you'll also need a tight-fitting lid and a steamer rack. Or shape a large piece of foil into a rope and coil it on the bottom of your pot.
- Add 1 inch of water to your pot along with the salt
- Bring the water to a boil and add the crab back-side up in the rack
- Cover and bring the water back to a boil (about a minute)
- Calculate steaming time as 7-8 minutes per pound (averaging weight if needed)
With both methods add the cooked crab to an ice bath or rinse under cool water to stop the cooking process. Over-cooked crab is dry and stringy. Boo. How much crab per person? Figure one-2 lb crab per person, although with my family we might double that number!
Cleaning & Cracking Crab
This process can be tricky for some while super fun for others who'll lick their fingers the whole way through! If you've never cleaned a crab before I suggest this great step-by-step picture tutorial. If throwing a party yourself, and you want to skip this step print out these fun cards to set on your table and let your guests do the dirty work!
The basic tools you'll need are two bowls (one for meat, one for shells), a nut cracker (pliers work too), a small fork and kitchen shears. The nut cracker is great for removing the claw meat and the shears makes it really easy to get into the leg meat. Don't forget the Crab Feed Seasoned Pro I told you about in the beginning and bring your own tools to a crab feed just in case!
Setting the Scene
Crab Feeds are messy, folks. But that's also what makes them so much fun! Even the fanciest of restaurants will supply you with a classy plastic bib with a giant red crab pictured on it. Looking for something different at your crab feed? Try cloth napkins held on with clothespins!
Tablescapes can be extremely simple or beautifully elaborate. It's really up to you!
Crab Recipes
Looking for ideas beyond the boil and steam? Or what to do with the (hopefully) yummy leftover crab? Look no further.
And now that you're starving I'll leave you with some AH.MA.ZING crabs!
Have a Crabtastic day!
I love crab! Thanks for sharing all these recipes! I am doing a giveaway today and would love if you would stop by and check it out! http://www.thediaryofarealhousewife.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteThanks Jennie =)
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness that's a whole lot of crab goodness!! Yum!
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting post! I pinned a few recipes! Thanks so much for linking it up!
ReplyDeleteKim
Thanks for stopping by & for the Pin's! Lots of crabby goodness for sure =)
ReplyDelete