Crabbing!

 

I was recently invited to Hilton Head Island by my sorority sister, and roomie, Kristen. This was my first visit there, and I hope it won't be my last! One day we decided to go crabbing! I had never done anything like that before, but I do love to eat almost all shellfish. We found a guide to take us out on the intercoastal waters and help us find the crabs. We caught Blue Crab by using chicken backs tied to a heavy string. The other end is tied to the boat. We tossed the chicken into the water and let it sit for 3-4 minutes. Then we SLOWLY pulled up the string. Our captain, Freddy, was close by with a net to catch the crab, which was hanging on the bottom of the chicken chowing down. We had a blast!

We brought the crabs home in a cooler with some ice to start the numbing process.

Then we placed them in the giant pot we bought to cook them in, and placed

 the pot in the freezer while we prepared the "soup" to steam them in.

I will post this recipe at the bottom.

Numbed crabs in the steamer pot.

Steamed crabs, now sitting in ice for a few minutes.

Kristen thinks we should have skipped this step. It's a good idea to do because the crabs are very hot to handle out of the pot, but really, it took us so long to open them and get the meat out, they got cold. I heated mine up in the microwave a few seconds.

Our incredible crab dinner! 

Served with garlic French bread, prosciutto-wrapped asparagus spears,

 leftover shrimp, garlic butter, and of course some wine!

Dee-lish!

Dinner on the balcony with this incredible view!

Thank you, Kristen!! 

RECIPE:

half dozen blue crabs

2 x 32 ounce cans of Coors Light (or whatever beer you like!)

1/2 diced onion

2 lemons squeezed into the pot, then toss the whole lemons in, too

1 clove of garlic

2 C water

salt to taste

melted lemon butter

Numb live crabs in freezer while preparing the soup. Boil the soup. Add crabs. Steam for approximately 15 minutes. They should turn bright red. Take the meat out (see link below). Dip in melted lemon butter.

How to cut open a crab

Male vs Female crabs

Crab steamer

Hilton Head Island, SC