I got crabs from a friend. What should I do?

[Botnst]

Blue crabs. A friend gave me an ice chest of mixed sizes.

I just boiled about 5-6 doz and shelled (shucked? cleaned?) about 3 doz resulting in maybe about a qt of crab meat. Now what?

Should I clean the rest of them now or take them to work and eat them in front of my co-workers?

Bot

Crab Bisque and Crab in my alfredo sauce are my favorites.

[croftynsteph]

For free, what'd you expect, lobster?

[crash9]

Originally Posted by Botnst

Blue crabs. A friend gave me an ice chest of mixed sizes.

I just boiled about 5-6 doz and shelled (shucked? cleaned?) about 3 doz resulting in maybe about a qt of crab meat. Now what?

Should I clean the rest of them now or take them to work and eat them in front of my co-workers?

Bot

BT-DT- Your hands are sore. You've got to clean them. They go bad quick - you get very sick and may become a democrat.

[MS Fowler]

Bot,
Crabs must be steamed ( not boiled- but I thibnk its the same) while still alive, or you get very sick--I did not realize the connection with becoming a democrat, but it would explain a lot about Maryland politics).
There are many recipes for steaming, but the primanry spice is called ' Old Bay". Many people use beer as part of the steaming recipe--the can of Old Bay has a good recipe, too. Its OK to use Budweiser for this, in fact its probably the only good use for Bud.
After steaming, they may be picked. Most people in the "land of pleasant living" just eat them this way. Do NOT rub your eyes while picking crabs steamed in Old Bay. Its also a good idea to cover any open cuts on your hands--that Old Bay e really stings

After the meat is picked, assuming you did not eat it all-- crab cakes are a good eat, as is either MD, or Cream of crab soup.

[Jim B.]

Originally Posted by croftynsteph

For free, what'd you expect, lobster?

As a matter of fact, TOM CRUISE eats Lobster Pop Tarts (in Miami)

[John Doe]

Originally Posted by MS Fowler

Bot,
Crabs must be steamed ( not boiled- but I thibnk its the same) while still alive, or you get very sick--I did not realize the connection with becoming a democrat, but it would explain a lot about Maryland politics).
There are many recipes for steaming, but the primanry spice is called ' Old Bay". Many people use beer as part of the steaming recipe--the can of Old Bay has a good recipe, too. Its OK to use Budweiser for this, in fact its probably the only good use for Bud.
After steaming, they may be picked. Most people in the "land of pleasant living" just eat them this way. Do NOT rub your eyes while picking crabs steamed in Old Bay. Its also a good idea to cover any open cuts on your hands--that Old Bay e really stings

After the meat is picked, assuming you did not eat it all-- crab cakes are a good eat, as is either MD, or Cream of crab soup.

You realize he is from South Louisiana and has already cooked them, right?

They use some old bay down here, but mostly Zatarain's crab boil, imo. Hell, we used to put old bay on our ruffles potato chips and popcorn when I was a kid.

[John Doe]

Originally Posted by Botnst

Blue crabs. A friend gave me an ice chest of mixed sizes.

I just boiled about 5-6 doz and shelled (shucked? cleaned?) about 3 doz resulting in maybe about a qt of crab meat. Now what?

Should I clean the rest of them now or take them to work and eat them in front of my co-workers?

Bot

I'd go ahead and eat the rest of them now. It doesn't last long in the freezer, and a quart is a good pleanty to make crab cakes with for several people.

Another recipe I don't see mentioned yet is make a corn chowder and put in some lump just before serving.

I trust you won't "Newburg" up the stuff and put cheese on it like Med suggests

Originally Posted by John Doe

I trust you won't "Newburg" up the stuff and put cheese on it like Med suggests

FU



But the chowder sounds yummy

[raymr]

Originally Posted by John Doe

I'd go ahead and eat the rest of them now. It doesn't last long in the freezer, and a quart is a good pleanty to make crab cakes with for several people.

Another recipe I don't see mentioned yet is make a corn chowder and put in some lump just before serving.

I trust you won't "Newburg" up the stuff and put cheese on it like Med suggests

Mmmmm, crab cakes..... (in a Homer Simpson-like daze).

The basic rule about crabcakes: the simplest recipes and minimal handling give the best results. One you make them, you can freeze them and pop em in the broiler later on. That is, if you have any left.

[boneheaddoctor]

Maryland style crab cakes or steam them with lots of OLD BAY seasoning. Either one is quite excellent.

Why is it OK to put crab in a chowder or crab cake but not make Crab Alfredo?

Whatta bunch of crab Nazi's.

[R Leo]

Originally Posted by boneheaddoctor

Maryland style crab cakes or steam them with lots of OLD BAY seasoning. Either one is quite excellent.

See? BHD and I do agree on something.

[John Doe]

Originally Posted by MedMech

Why is it OK to put crab in a chowder or crab cake but not make Crab Alfredo?

Whatta bunch of crab Nazi's.

You basically top the corn bisque or chowder with lump crab meat. Putting cheese on any sea food overwhelms it and shouldn't be done outside of a hospital cafeteria

Listen, you are not supposed to put Mayo on a hamburger and seafood alfredo, and all other overpowering tasty treats are perfectly acceptable.

Just to spite your ass I'm throwing a lobster tail on the grill tonight and slapping that puppy on top of a Voodoo pasta cream sauce an it'll be yummy.

Kiss my grits.