BajaNomad

What do I do with blue crabs?

CP - 9-18-2008 at 04:24 PM

I don't want to cheer them up, I want to serve them three weeks from now.

They are raw, bought from Super Ley. Should I cook them and then freeze them? Should I clean them then freeze them raw? Should I clean them, cook them, then freeze them? Should I forget about my visitors coming and just eat them all tonight?

I have experience with dungeness and spider and king crab but never handled these little fellers. I am not expecting a ton of edible meat; they are more for fun.

Cypress - 9-18-2008 at 04:31 PM

Eat 'em tonight.:biggrin:

Diver - 9-18-2008 at 05:37 PM

Steam them and clean the meat for crab cakes.

bajaguy - 9-18-2008 at 05:40 PM

Don't forget the Pacifico!!!!

DENNIS - 9-18-2008 at 05:41 PM

If I had blue crabs, I'd go get a bottle of A-200 and get rid of 'em, once and for all.

woody with a view - 9-18-2008 at 05:50 PM

where's the link to the WD-40 list of uses? i seem to remember....:light:

vandenberg - 9-18-2008 at 07:27 PM

Too cold.
Get warmer, flannel or wool, underwear.:P

Tomas Tierra - 9-18-2008 at 08:54 PM

Diver has it right. Steamed with Old Bay of course.

Are they live?? Always preferable..

Edit: Steam crabs whole over a combo of water, a good dash of vinager, and a half of a crappy beer, you know, like tecate.:lol:

Steam crabs for approx 22 mins-then pick em( try not to eat if saving for crab cakes:rolleyes: )

I'll see if I can remember the MD crab cake recipe:?:

[Edited on 9-19-2008 by Tomas Tierra]

1011801270_005.JPG - 49kB

Paulina - 9-18-2008 at 09:06 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
If I had blue crabs, I'd go get a bottle of A-200 and get rid of 'em, once and for all.


Dennis, you are so naughty. When I read the title I giggled a little to myself, but then when I read your reply...I actually snorted out loud.

Interesting question though, as I've often wondered what to do with them myself. Seriously.

P<*)))>{ :saint:

howat - 9-19-2008 at 04:23 AM

Do not freeze raw. The meat will be hard to remove after thawing and cooking. So boil as above then freeze meat. But I'd cook it now and have some friends over. To me blue claw crabs are the best eating shellfish in the entire world, bar none. My favorite recipe is

Avocado Blue Claw
Cut an avocado in half lengthwise and remove the seed. Leave skin on for a bowl. Stuff the seed holes with a heaping mound of picked blue claw meat. Top with russian dresssing. If you can not buy it in a local market here's a recipe for it.

Russian Dressing
1/4 cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons water
1 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup ketchup
juice of 1 lemon, 2 to 3 tablespoons
1 tablespoon vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 1/2 teaspoons celery seed
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup grated onion
Preparation:
In a saucepan, cook sugar and water until it spins a thread, about 230°. Cool syrup. Combine remaining ingredients; add syrup and whisk to blend well. Chill

Lucky you. This is another reason to live in baja.

Dennis

[Edited on 9-19-2008 by howat]

BigWooo - 9-19-2008 at 05:05 AM

Save them for me! See ya soon...

CP - 9-19-2008 at 07:01 AM

Thank you all for the comments and suggestions and recipe!!

Big Woo - thought we had missed your visit (no calendar) - nice to know we will see you soon!

The Gull - 9-19-2008 at 08:03 AM

You will a dozen of them to make a decent sized meal.

Tomas Tierra - 9-19-2008 at 08:11 AM

IMPORTANT!!

Steam over water, do not boil!! The meat will turn to mush, especially if they are dead before cooking.

The Gull - 9-19-2008 at 08:24 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
If I had blue crabs, I'd go get a bottle of A-200 and get rid of 'em, once and for all.


Are they only attracted to blue balls?

CP - 9-19-2008 at 08:52 AM

They are at this moment in the steamer basket over a little water and a LOT OF GARLIC and chiles. I will keep one out for samples and freeze the rest because I will feel guilty if I don't keep them for my visitors.
Maybe...
Is it too early for that Pacifico?
Garlic Crabs and Cold Beer for breakfast. Boy do I love living in Baja.

Pescador - 9-19-2008 at 11:47 AM

I heard that you shave a strip down the middle, pour on lighter fluid on both sides, light a match to the lighter fluid, then when they run to the middle to get away from the fire, stab them with an icepick.:lol::lol:

TonyC - 9-19-2008 at 12:08 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Tomas Tierra
IMPORTANT!!

Steam over water, do not boil!! The meat will turn to mush, especially if they are dead before cooking.


So true...also put a little rice vinegar, two or three splashes. It will sweeten the meat.

The Gull - 9-19-2008 at 02:11 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Pescador
I heard that you shave a strip down the middle, pour on lighter fluid on both sides, light a match to the lighter fluid, then when they run to the middle to get away from the fire, stab them with an icepick.:lol::lol:


Please demonstrate and post the photo results.

woody with a view - 9-19-2008 at 02:16 PM

after you peruse the above suggestions, you must, without hesitation MASTICATE!!!! it is the only way to resolve your problem..... and it is a good problem to have!:rolleyes:

p.s. i'm goin' surfing...........:P

edit: for effect

[Edited on 9-19-2008 by woody in ob]

dtbushpilot - 9-19-2008 at 03:12 PM

How do you "MASTICATE"?....I want to watch...I might want to take pictures too:lol::lol::lol:......dt

CP - 9-19-2008 at 04:13 PM

I am proud that I finally have thread that went to a second page...but this isn't how I wanted it to be!