How To Cook Coconut Crab Recipes

GINATAANG ALIMASAG (CRABS IN COCONUT MILK)

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Drop crabs in and cook until shells turn bright red, 8 to 10 minutes. Plunge crabs into ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain and set aside.
• Heat a large wok over medium-high heat and add garlic oil. Stir in garlic and cook until lightly toasted and golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Add onion and ginger and saute until onion is translucent, 4 to 5 minutes. Add scallion whites. Season with a few pinches of salt and pepper.
• Add fish sauce and let infuse for 1 minute. Stir in shrimp paste and toast for about 3 minutes. Add Thai chiles; saute for 1 minute more. Pour in coconut milk and water. Bring to a simmer and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook until sauce is thickened, about 10 minutes, adding more water if too dry.
• Meanwhile, break open the crab. Add to the sauce along with any accumulated juices. Simmer until flavors meld, 8 to 10 minutes more. Season with salt and pepper. Toss in spinach and let wilt. Garnish with scallion greens.

COCONUT CHILI CRAB

Steps:

• Lift top hard shell from crabs and use fingers to scrape insides. Wash, then split in half.
• Heat the oil in a large wok over high heat then stir-fry the crab pieces in batches until they turn pinky red. Remove and set aside.
• In the same wok, stir fry garlic, ginger and chili for 1 minute.
• Add the juice, waer, sauces and paste and simmer for 2 minutes.
• Blend in the coconut cream.
• Bring to the boil then return the crab to the wok.
• Simmer covered, for 4-5 minutes, adding a little water if the sauce reduces too much.
• Stir in the coriander and onions, then serve at once over steamed rice.

CARIBBEAN COCONUT CRAB

Steps:

• Season crab meat with garlic and herbs, cover and marinade in fridge for at least 1/2 hour.
• Add the remaining ingredients put in a pot over low heat and cook until half the liquid has evaporated.

CRAB-COCONUT COCKTAIL

Steps:

• Whisk the coconut milk, hot sauce, lime juice and honey in a bowl and season with salt and pepper. Cover and let sit at room temperature, about 15 minutes.
• Gently fold in the cilantro, crabmeat, mango, endive and radicchio. Serve in shot glasses, if desired.

COCONUT CRUSTED CRAB CAKES

Steps:

• Lime Dipping Sauce, recipe follows
• Put the crabmeat in a large bowl and add the mayonnaise, scallions, bell pepper, ginger, salt, and pepper and gently combine using a rubber spatula. Add the 1/2 cup coconut and 1/2 cup panko and gently fold in. Divide the mixture into 8 mounds and form into patties about 3-inches in diameter and 3/4-inch thick. Put the patties on a large plate, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate 30 minutes or longer.
• When you are ready to fry the crab cakes, combine the 1 cup of coconut and 1 cup of panko in a shallow container. Lightly dredge the patties in the crumbs, shaking off any excess. Put 2 large nonstick skillets with over medium high heat. Add about 3 tablespoons of oil to each pan. When the pans are hot, place 4 patties in each pan. Turn the heat down to medium and fry the cakes until golden and heated through, turning once with a spatula to brown both sides, about 4 minutes per side.
• Transfer the crab cakes to plates, serving 2 to each person, accompanied by ramekins of sweet chili sauce and lime wedges.
• Whisk together all ingredients in a small bowl.

CRAB SAUTé WITH SPICY COCONUT SAUCE

Steps:

• Mix garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, and turmeric in bowl. Place crab on rimmed baking sheet; smear garlic mixture over. Cover; chill 2 hours.
• Heat medium skillet over medium heat. Add chiles and next 7 ingredients; stir until toasted, about 3 minutes. Transfer to spice grinder; cool. Add coconut to skillet and stir until light brown, about 5 minutes; cool. Add 1/3 cup coconut to spices in grinder; blend well. Add remaining coconut, 1/3 cup at a time, grinding finely.
• Heat oil in large deep skillet over medium heat. Add onions; saute until golden, about 20 minutes. Add crabs and coconut-spice mixture; reduce heat to low. Cook until heated, tossing with tongs, about 5 minutes. Add coconut milk and 1/2 cup water; bring to simmer. Cover; simmer 15 minutes, turning often. Transfer crab to platter. Serve with lime wedges and rice.
• *This bright red chile is available at some supermarkets, specialty foods stores, and Latin markets.
• **Sold at some supermarkets, specialty foods stores, and natural foods stores.