The grill adds great flavor to any kind of seafood. This recipe for grilled Chesapeake blue crab is fairly simple, yet quite delicious. You'll have these ready quickly and have enough time to dine and socialize with your guests.
This recipe shows how to grill fresh, cleaned crabs. We will need to start with live crabs. When choosing live crabs, the ones you want are those that are active and alert. The sluggish ones are likely to be less healthy and less tasty. The larger the better to provide more luscious crab meat. And river crabs are the best. I highly recommend Buddy's Crabs, well worth the drive if you have the time. If you don't have time, Chesapeake Crab Connection in Oxford, Pa is also very good.
Set up a cutting board next to the sink, and a large chef's knife is best. Turn the crab on it's back and cut it right down the middle. You don't have to go through the top shells, just cut through the bottom, softer shell. Once that cut is made grab the crab and pull each half of crab from the main top shell.
After all the crabs are split and top shells are removed, run the half under cool water and clean out the lungs and such. Once cleaned put in a cooler full of ice. A dozen crabs should take about 10 minutes to clean.
Pour about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch of olive oil into a pan on the grill. Heat up to about 350 to 400 degrees. Season the oil with old bay, hot pepper flakes, garlic powder, and onion powder. Be generous, especially on the initial batch. PRO TIP - Use the throw away tins, typically found in the baking isle. Once the oil is to temp and seasoned, place six half pieces into a pan, then season the crabs directly with the same seasons mentioned above. Just a coating with this.
After about 7-10 minutes turn each half over, season again. Once crab is completely cooked remove and place on a serving dish. PRO TIP - you will need slightly less seasoning after each batch, as the oil will be more and more seasoned.
Have the crackers and pick forks ready, and of course a cold drink. And don't forget the get an Italian loaf, slice it up, and dip it in the oil.
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