Top 5 Dungeness Crab Recipes
1. Crab Tortellini
These classy tortellini are made quickly and easily by filling them with delicious Dungeness crabmeat and wrapping them in wonton wrappers. They are perfectly seasoned, cooked to perfection, and go well with a light sauce for a grand dinner.
Ingredients:
- One cup of clean Dungeness crabmeat
- Two teaspoons of softened cream cheese
- One teaspoon of freshly cut parsley and one teaspoon of lemon zest
- To taste, add salt and pepper.
- Twenty wonton wrappers
- One beaten egg (used for sealing)
Instructions:
- Crabmeat, cream cheese, lemon zest, parsley, salt, and pepper should all be thoroughly mixed in a bowl.
- Each wonton wrapper should have a tiny scoop of the filling in the middle.
- Seal securely after folding into a triangle and brushing the edges with a beaten egg.
- To create the tortellini shape, bring the triangle’s two opposing corners together.
- Tortellini should float to the top after two to three minutes of cooking in boiling salted water.
- Serve with a little cream sauce, a spray of olive oil, or a simple butter sauce.
2. Barbequed Crabs
Grilling enhances the natural sweetness of Dungeness crab, and a creamy butter-garlic fish sauce adds delicious flavour. This recipe for delicate crab legs and meat with a slightly smokey touch is ideal for summer cookouts.
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds of Dungeness crab legs and meat.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 tablespoon of lemon juice.
- 1 teaspoon of paprika.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Fresh parsley (optional for garnish).
Instructions:
- Preheat the grill to medium.
- In a mixing bowl, combine melted butter, garlic, lemon juice, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Keep half of the mixture for serving.
- Lightly salt the crab legs and brush with the butter-garlic mixture.
- Place the crab legs on the grill, using indirect heat.
- Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping regularly and basting with the butter mixture.
- Remove from the grill and sprinkle with the remaining butter-garlic sauce.
3. Crab and Swiss Omelet
This rich and fulfilling seafood omelette mixes soft Dungeness crab, earthy mushrooms, and creamy Swiss cheese for a breakfast or brunch that is both pleasant and simple to prepare.
Ingredients:
- Three eggs.
- 1/4 cup cooked Dungeness crab meat
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced mushrooms.
- 1/4 cup shredded Swiss cheese.
- Two teaspoons of milk
- 1 tbsp butter.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
Instructions:
- In a mixing dish, combine eggs, milk, salt, and pepper and whisk until smooth.
- Heat the butter in a nonstick skillet over medium heat.
- Sauté the mushrooms until softened, which should take roughly 3-4 minutes.
- Pour the egg mixture into the skillet and tilt to distribute evenly.
- Cook until the edges begin to set, about 2 minutes.
- Place the crabmeat, mushrooms, and Swiss cheese on one side of the omelette.
- Fold the opposite side over the filling.
- Cover and heat for another 2 minutes, or until the cheese melts and the eggs are completely set.
4. Spicy Crab Curry
This delicious recipe combines fresh Dungeness crab with a spiced potato, tomato, and onion curry. It’s ideal for people who like spicy seafood and should be served over steaming hot rice with fresh garnishes.
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds of fresh Dungeness crabs.
- Cubed 2 medium potatoes.
- Chop 2 medium tomatoes.
- One large onion, thinly sliced
- 2 teaspoons of mustard or vegetable oil.
- 1 tablespoon of garlic paste.
- 1 tablespoon of ginger paste.
- 2 teaspoons of ground turmeric.
- 2 teaspoons of red chilli powder.
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin.
- 1 teaspoon of ground coriander.
- Salt to taste.
- 1/2 cup water.
- Fresh cilantro (to garnish)
Instructions:
- Heat the mustard oil in a wok or big pan over medium heat.
- Add the onions and sauté until golden.
- Stir in the garlic and ginger paste, then add the turmeric, chilli powder, cumin, coriander, and salt.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes, until aromatic.
- Cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the potatoes and tomatoes have softened.
- Add the crab pieces and thoroughly cover them in the spices.
- Pour in the water, cover, and boil for 10-12 minutes, or until the crab is fully cooked and the potatoes are soft.
5. Crab Fried Brown Rice
This Asian-inspired fried rice features sweet Dungeness crab, nutty brown rice, and fresh vegetables, all topped with a flavourful soy sauce, maple syrup, and sesame oil glaze. An easy and delicious method to improve fried rice!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked brown rice.
- 1 cup cooked Dungeness crabmeat.
- 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms.
- 1/2 cup diced carrots.
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce.
- One tablespoon maple syrup.
- 1 teaspoon of sesame oil.
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil.
- 2 green onions cut.
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, maple syrup, and sesame oil. Set aside.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat.
- Cook for 2 minutes with the garlic and carrots.
- Add the mushrooms and simmer for another 3 minutes, or until tender.
- Stir in the cooked brown rice, coating it evenly with oil.
- Cook for 2–3 minutes.
- Combine the Dungeness crab meat and soy-maple mixture.
- Stir thoroughly and simmer for an additional 2 minutes.
Conclusion
These five recipes show off the versatility of Dungeness crab, changing its sweet meat into delicious meals for every occasion. From the appealing flavour of crab tortellini and smokey BBQ crabs to the hearty crab and Swiss omelette, hot crab curry, and Asian-inspired crab fried rice, each recipe is tailored to bring out the best in this seafood delicacy.
These meals are simple to prepare and full of flavour, making them ideal for savouring fresh Dungeness crab at home.
