Crab Legs
Cooking crab legs is usually a pretty easy process because they have already been cooked. This is because when crab is caught it is cooked and frozen on the boat to ensure it is at its very best when it reaches you. If it isn't cooked on the boat, it is kept alive until it gets to the processor at port and then it is cooked. Thanks to these methods of keeping crab at its highest quality there is very little work for you to do in the kitchen other than reheat your crab legs.
If you are unsure where to buy crabs, I suggest buying seafood online for several reasons. The number 1 reason is freshness. When you buy crab legs at your local store there is no telling how long they've been in transit or what has happened to them along the way. However when you buy Alaskan crab legs or Maryland crabs online from a gourmet seafood supplier they are shipped overnight direct from the source in a temperature controlled, insulated box to ensure freshness. Also, since you are skipping the distributor and retail markups the crab prices you will find online can't be beat by any local store.
When you buy king crab legs they will usually come frozen and need to be thawed. The best method of thawing crab legs is putting them in a refrigerator at a temperature of 37 degrees or below. Frozen crab legs can also be thawed under cold running water if you are in a hurry and don't want to wait for them to thaw in the refrigerator. The best ways to make sure your crab legs are thawed is by squeezing them in the middle or bending their joints. If they are soft when u squeeze them or if you can bend their joints they are thawed and ready to cook.
Reheating crab legs is a matter of personal preference. I prefer to steam crab in a crab steamer, however a crab cooker is not necessary and they can be baked and boiled as well. Whatever method you choose will only take 4-8 minutes and your delicious crab legs will be ready to eat. Keep a careful eye while cooking crab, as they are easily over cooked and you don't want to lose their amazing flavor and soft, succulent texture.
As I'm sure you already know, there are all sorts of gourmet crab meat recipes, including entrees, salads and soups, just to name a few. When you purchase crab legs online most premium suppliers include a preparation guide and cookbook with a great selection of delicious crab recipes.
Although crab legs can be served in a variety of different ways, the traditional way of serving them is by themselves with a bowl of melted butter to dip them in. If you want to get really extravagant you may also want to add a bit of garlic to the butter.
There are several ways to split king crab legs; however I prefer to use nothing more than a fork. I just insert one fork tine into the crab shell and bend the other tines downward systematically until I have a cut along the entire length of the leg. Some online king crab leg retailers also sell crab legs that have already been split to save you the trouble, check product descriptions if you would rather not have to deal with it yourself. It's also important to look out for shell fragments upon consumption.
Of the 100s of times I have had crab legs, I can't remember 1 time I've been disappointed and I rarely have leftovers. However if you do have leftovers they will stay good in the refrigerator for a couple days when sealed in plastic and make for a divine salad or soup.
If you need more in depth information on how to cook crab, we have posted popular crab leg recipes and preparation techniques on Affluent Tastes for your convenience. Now go enjoy your delicious, succulent crab legs with that special someone.
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