Bahamian Crab N Rice Recipes

BAHAMIAN CRAB N' RICE

Steps:

• Wash live crabs under the tap using a toothbrush to wash sand from under band and from between toes until completely clean.
• Turn crab with eyes away,upside down,slipping a blunt knife (a butter knife is ideal) between the shell's seam,push upward to seperate the crab's shell in two.
• Be careful not to push the knife too far (the gall sac is in the direct path of the knife!).
• Pull apart.
• Scoop the fat from both sides of the shell into a bowl using the knife or a spoon.
• Discard the empty half shell,band,mouth,gills and all other remaining internal organs,leaving behind the toes.
• Break the two segments in half by holding each half securely and snapping apart.
• This can also be done by chopping the segment with a cleaver.
• Wash the toe segments under the tap and put them in the bowl with the fat.
• This process is to be repeated until each crab is processed.
• Place a large pot over medium high heat, adding the vegetable/corn oil.
• Allow the oil to heat until a drop of water sizzles when dripped in the oil.
• Add onion,green pepper,salt,black pepper,seasoned salt,thyme,scotch bonnet and stir.
• Saute ingredients until onion is transparent, stirring constantly,about 3 to five minutes.
• Add crab fat and segments, saute, stirring constantly until fat is liquid, about 7 minutes.
• Add tomato paste, stir ingredients together for another 5 minutes.
• Add water.
• Stir ingredients with the water,taste, adjust salt to taste,bring to a slow simmer.
• Gently pour rice into pot, stirring slowly to ensure even distribution of the rice in the liquid.
• Turn heat down to low and cover pot with a tight-fitting lid to prevent steam from escaping. Foil can be used under the lid to prevent the steam escaping.
• Cook for about 20-25 minutes or until all of the liquid is absorbed.
• Do not lift lid while cooking.
• Turn heat off and let rice stand covered for 10-15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.
• Fluff and serve hot.

BAHAMIAN STYLE PEAS AND RICE

Steps:

• Melt butter in a large, heavy saucepan over medium high heat. Place bacon in the saucepan, and cook until evenly brown. Stir in onion and celery, and cook until tender. Mix in tomato, tomato paste, and ketchup. Season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to low, and continue cooking about 15 minutes.
• Stir pigeon peas and their liquid, water, rice, and thyme into the saucepan. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce heat. Cook 40 minutes on low, or until all liquid is absorbed. Fluff rice with a fork.

CRAB 'N RICE (THE BAHAMAS)

Steps:

• Crack the crab and remove the meat. Carefully pick through the meat to make sure there are no remaining bits of shell.
• Chop up the vegetables and fry them in the oil until they are soft. Stir in the tomato paste and seasonings, adding a little more oil if you need to. Saute for a few minutes until the flavors are incorporated.
• Add three cups of water (I used non-traditional crab stock) and bring to a boil. Add the pigeon peas and crab and let boil for five minutes or so.
• Add the rice (you can also add more water if the mixture looks too dry), return to a boil, then reduce heat and cover. Let simmer until all the liquid has been absorbed (about 20 minutes).

AUTHENTIC BAHAMIAN PEAS AND RICE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, and fry until transparent. Stir in the green pepper, ham, tomato paste, tomato, bacon, corned beef, and pigeon peas. Season with thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer.
• Stir in the coconut milk, water and browning sauce, and bring to a boil. Stir in the rice. Return to a boil, then stir, cover, and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for about 45 minutes, until rice is tender. Stir occasionally.