by Crab Guy on December 18, 2008
Crabs are delicious, especially when they are fresh off of the docks or you have just caught them yourself. If you are not in an area that will allow you to catch or buy live crabs, a great alternative is ordering them steamed. When crabs are steamed before they are shipped, half of the work has been done for you and you don’t have to worry about freshness because they are always cooked immediately after they are caught to ensure the best taste.
Blue crabs, especially on the East Coast have been a regional favorite since crabbing began. Their sweet, delicate taste will inevitably make your mouth water. Whether you prefer East Coast blue crab or West Coast dungeness crab or for that matter anything in between, you are in for a delicious feast. Many people enjoy the feat of digging into a pile of freshly cooked crab with their friends and family. Although it may take some effort, it is usually a fun a memorable experience for all that partake.
No matter what type of crab meat that you prefer, you are in for a delectable treat. Depending on your personal preference you can prepare crab the way that you like best, whether it be steamed, boiled, fried, broiled, baked or grilled. There are better ways to cook different types of crab however. If they are soft shell crabs, people generally prefer to pan fry them. For snow crab and dungeness crab, they are usually prepared steamed or boiled. King crab can be boiled, steamed, broiled, baked or grilled (although they usually come cooked and flash frozen to protect their flavor). As for the infamous blue crab, especially for those native Marylanders and those on the Chesapeake Bay the only way is to steam them!
Crab is a special treat, not because of the cost but more so because of the effort involved in picking the meat out and the amount of effort in cooking and preparing the little critters. It can be quite the task to take on, but it is equally rewarding. When eating the crab meat, make sure not to overdo the spices that you use for seasoning as this can easily overwhelm the taste of the crab meat. Catch, cook and enjoy!
by Crab Guy on October 17, 2008
Traditionally, the average person eats their last crab during Labor Day weekend, when the weather starts to cool and summer comes to an end. This year, however, consider having crab late into the fall season – when the leaves start to change color and fall from the trees, blue crab will be at its best: heavy and sweet, and will remain so well into the autumn months.
The season for Maryland blue crabs doesn’t end until December 15th, and blue crabs tend to be best in the fall. The crabs are at their largest this time of year, after having grown all summer. Typically, blue crabs shed their shell in September, so by December the crabs are very full and heavy, making for delicious crab meat.
A crisp autumn weekend is perfectly complimented by a hot and spicy meal of Maryland blue crab, and crab recipes are perfect for all of fall’s favorite events; such as tailgating, Halloween gatherings and Thanksgiving dinner.
Tailgating
A time-honored American sports tradition; and nothing says fall like a crisp Saturday morning getting pumped up and packing necessities for the big game. Friends and family will cheer for these ultimate autumn crab recipes:
Halloween
Throwing a sophisticated spooky cocktail party or harvest dinner is the perfect way to enjoy the season with friends and family. Enjoy these creepy crab recipes that will send friends into the street howling, or cook up something comforting for the festivities:
Wickedly Fun Blue Crab Cocktail Recipes:
Soothing Blue Crab Soup & Stew Recipes:
Thanksgiving
Whether hosting the family for Thanksgiving or just responsible for bringing a dish, blue crab casseroles accompany traditional Thanksgiving turkey and stuffing perfectly. Crab dishes help liven up the feast and give everyone something to request for next year’s dinner:
by Crab Guy on October 10, 2008
A simple, well-known and loved tradition is the art of crabbing, and one of the best places on earth to experience crabbing is the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland.
There are several different methods that can be used if you want to go crabbing. For the beginner, the easiest method of crabbing is to use a hand line and crab net. The next best method would be to just take a crab net and wade through the water searching for the little buggers. This technique requires no bait and is an extremely simple, no frills way to catch live crab. Traps and pots can also be used for recreational crabbing. For commercial purposes crab pots, trotlines or a crabbing dredge are traditionally used.
For recreational purposes, or if you are just starting out, you may want to attempt the tried and true method of the string and bait technique. This technique uses chicken neck (available at your local grocer), which crabs love and the cost won’t burn a hole in your wallet. Another item you will need if you are going to try using string and chicken neck to catch crab is a dip net (a.k.a. crab net). This allows you to scoop the crab out of the water once it starts to nibble on the bait and you have pulled them close enough to the surface to reach them. It is a good idea to have something with you to measure your catch. In most states, the legal size for a crab is 5 inches, from point to point. If it is any smaller you must release it back into the water. In order to store your catch it is good to bring along a galvanized tub, bucket, or basket (such as a wooden bushel basket), whichever you prefer.
First, you start out with some heavy string, a round rock (about two pounds to weigh down your line), some day-old raw chicken still on the bone, your crab net and a good spot to perch, such as a dock, bridge, or even on a boat and something to store what you catch. Once you have found a good spot to hang the line from, half the work is already done. Next, set the chicken on the stone and begin wrapping them together with the string until they are well secured with the stone under the chicken. Leave enough string to tie the line to a pier or boat. When the line is resting on the bottom the string should be slightly loose, not taut. Leave the line alone for a few minutes. Eventually a crab will climb on top of the chicken to feast. Occasionally feel the string in your hands. When you feel the line vibrate, slowly pull it up hand over hand. Once the crab is visible, about 8 inches from the surface, transfer the string to one hand and place the crab net in the other. Swiftly scoop up the crab with the net.
If you want to catch more than one crab at a time, it would be wise to try using a metal crab pot. For the crab pot you will also need to use bait, such as day-old raw chicken and a crab net. Find a good spot to secure the crab pot such as a pier or a buoy and have a container on hand to store the crabs once they have been caught. Turn the crab pot on its top and fill the bottom cavity with raw chicken. Seal it with the lid provided and toss the crab pot into the water, topside up, with the string tied firmly to a pier or buoy. The pot must sit for at least one turn of the tide, or about 6 hours. To bring up the pot, grab hold of the string and pull hand over hand. Open the top and shake the crabs out into the galvanized tub or bushel basket that you have brought along to put them in. Take your catch home to make a delicious meal from your fresh crab meat.
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