Monday, March 22, 2010

Sweet & Peppered Crab Legs

The original name of this dish from the Food Network magazine was called Spicy Peppered Crab Legs. Since these weren't really spicy & my 6yo boy even loved it, I wanted to give it a more fitting name. Now, let me get on to telling you how much I am in love with this dish.

For years I have been enjoying crab legs, whether out or at home, simply broiled then dipped into butter! So when I came across this recipe that prepared them in such a unique way I had to give it a try. My mom came over for dinner while Dad was away golfing with the boys & since she loves crab legs but doesn't have the patience to crack them, I knew these would be perfect.

My mom & I loved these!!! To top off my excitement of the success, Tristan ended up enjoying quite a few pieces of crab meat that I had picked off & handed to him without the sauce.

This is simply a MUST try. With a little Asian influence, the sauce is just perfect without overpowering & taking away from the sweet subtlety of the crab meat.



SWEET & PEPPERED CRAB LEGS

{ Printable Recipe Here }

3 pounds Alaskan king or snow crab legs, thawed if frozen
Freshly ground pepper
2 tblsp vegetable oil
1 stick unsalted butter, cubed
6 cloves garlic, chopped
10 thin slices peeled ginger
8 scallions, cut into 2-inch pieces
4 red or green jalapeno peppers, seeded & finely chopped
2 tsp sugar
2 tblsp oyster sauce
2 tblsp soy sauce
White rice, for serving

Pull a leg off the cluster (1). You will see it has 2 joints (2 & 3), one on each side. I like to remove these knobby little ends because the meat sticks to them when you crack open the leg. Also, break the claw (4) off then pull the pointy thing (5) out of the claw & discard.


You are now left with a thick leg, a claw & a skinnier leg. Depending on the size of the thick leg you can break it in half or just leave whole. You want 3-4 inch pieces. The skinny little leg doesn’t have much meat in it but just save them & add to the pot. Now, cut along the shell on each piece so the meat can easily be removed after cooking.


Place the remaining ingredients by the stove. Toast 2 tablespoons pepper in a small skillet over medium-high heat until fragrant, about 2 minutes; remove from the heat. Heat the vegetable oil & butter in a large Dutch oven or skillet over medium-high heat until sizzling. Add the garlic, ginger, scallions & jalapenos; sprinkle with the sugar & cook, stirring, until the mixture is fragrant, about 1 minute.

Add the crab pieces, oyster sauce & soy sauce.



Cook, tossing, until heated through, about 5 minutes. Scatter the toasted pepper on top & continue to cook, tossing, about 1 more minute. Transfer the crab & sauce to a bowl. Serve with rice.


{ Food for Thought }

First things first, this was not spicy. My 6yo even ate the meat with no problem.

I usually use the thinner snow crab legs since I find them easier to handle without all the sharp points that king crab has. Also, 4lbs = 9 clusters = 3 hungry people was a perfect equation. While I always pick from parts of the cluster when just serving crab legs with butter I didn’t use the clusters for this recipe nor did it call for it. It's up to you. Some people tend to say the clusters are fishy.

I was running late for this weeknight meal so I just used ground ginger & it was more than OK!

{ Linking Deliciously to Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays }

43 comments:

FROGGITY! said...

i am glad you're back! and you brought a delicious recipe... mmmmmm!!!!

starnes family said...

Looks divine. My husband LOVES crab.

Debby@Just Breathe said...

They look delicious. Yum. I don't think I am brave enough to tackle that at home.

Chef E said...

This reminds me of my sons ex girlfriend, you never asked her where she wanted to eat, it was always Red Lobster for their crab leg feast, lol, she would go nuts and make me make this RIGHT NOW, lol

I am going to try this, but I also have a fussy hubby who hates eating things on the bone or breaking open shells...why he married me you know :)

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

Is it wrong to make you significant other fish out the meat for you? That's what I do...ah ha ha. LOVE crab!

Kate said...

Just found your blog via SITS.... and now I'm hungry!! Everything looks delicious, I'll be back! :)

Meals by Misty said...

I wish we had fresh seafood here in Birmingham. I love crab! I can eat more than the usual human being :) My husbands family live on the coast, I'm sending this recipe their way!

Sandy said...

Wow, does that look gorgeous. Like a work of art!

Venus and Mars said...

Yummie, My favorite food is Crab Legs or Lobster. Will put this in my recipe book.

Unknown said...

I'm impressed that your six year old loved this. I never would've tried something like this at that age. Is he pretty adventurous when it comes to food?

Sara said...

I ADORE crab!! Can't wait to try this. Just wish I had an ocean view to go along with this meal :)

Sherry @ Lamp Unto My Feet said...

Wow! This looks fabulous! I have never made crab in the shell. It doesn't look too difficult? Maybe? :D

Nana said...

Oh WOW!!!

Stephanie said...

These look like such fun to eat!

JennyMac said...

these look and sound PERFECT!

Brenda said...

I've never actually cooked crab legs but you make it look easy.

Lot-O-Choc said...

Ooh ive never tried crabs legs before, but these look really tasty. To answer your question on my blog as well, it was just a star tip nozzle and the yellow star thing is just something I picked up at the local supermarket in the baking aisle :) theyre just like sugar flowers hehe :).

Ma What's 4 dinner said...

Excuse me, I need a moment...

That looks incredible. Gotta get my hands on some crab legs! Glad you're back in full swing. Missed your yummy delights.

Lots of SITS love,
Alex aka Ma What's For Dinner
www.mawhats4dinner.com

Pam said...

I am loving this dish...there is nothing better than crab legs. I am sure my kids would gobble these babies up!

Unknown said...

You are such a good explainer of things. These look delectable. Is delectable a good word for a meat? Hmmmmmmmmm. Delicious is so overused.

PS Please send the food spreadsheet. I am in desperate need of help.

Tabitha Blue said...

I so wish I liked sea food!! There are always so many dishes that look good, or sound good, or that others rave about.. but I just can't do it, lol.

:)
~Tabitha

Gloria Baker said...

I love crab !!! I understand you are in similar, happens the same with seafood, I really love them!!

Gloria Baker said...

I wanna say I understand you are in love with this dish!!! hugss! gloria

Aspasia B said...

Beautiful Blogger award for you: http://bloodtyping.blogspot.com/2010/03/beautiful-blogger-award.html

Reeni said...

These are some of the most delicious crab legs I've ever seen! My Mom would go crazy for these!

Ronda said...

Hey there! I just saw this recipe at work today in the FN Mag. It looks delicious too. I'll be getting crabs by the bushel real soon down in Maryland and will try this FOR SURE!!
Have a great weekend!
XOXO

Coco said...

Holy yumminess!!!! Love love love crablegs.

The Blonde Duck said...

I'm impressed!

Tam said...

OOO Yeah those Crab legs look so very good!!!! Hope you have some great Easter Plans!!!!

Tami (Pixeltrash) said...

This sounds wonderful! My 9 year old loves crablegs. I'll have to go see what I can find so I can make these next week.

Maria said...

I haven't had crab in forever. I want some now:)

Angela said...

Yummy! I love crab but hubby can't eat it. Le sigh! These look awesome!

Caleb said...

No doubt, the chap is totally fair.
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