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Friday 4 March 2016

Crab Bites Are Delicious : But Did You Know ...

Did you know ... there are more than 4000 species crab, a crustacean notable for its sideways walk, claws and armoured shell. Crab claws yield sweet, dense white meat similar to lobster meat, while the flesh from under the hard upper shell is soft, rich and brown. Crab liver is considered a delicacy. Male crabs tend to have larger claws and more white meat. However, the females sometimes contain coral - a flavour-some red roe.

The main types of crab available are:
European Brown crab - popular all over Europe, this crab is available all year round. It reaches 20-25cm/8-10in across and has heavy front claws with almost-black pincers, a rusty-red or brown shell, and red hairy legs mottled with white.
Atlantic Blue crab - this crab has a blue-brown shell and can grow to 20cm/8in, but is usually sold smaller. When newly 'moulted' (crabs regularly shed their hard shells), the crabs are caught with soft-shells and deep-fried for eating whole. The Blue crab is popular along the Eastern seaboard of the United States.
Dungeness crab - this can reach up to 20cm/8in and has plenty of delicious white, dense sweet meat. The meat in the shell, notably different for its pale greyish-green colour, also has a great flavour. It is popular along the Pacific seaboard of the United States
Spider crabs - popular in France and Spain, this sweet-flavoured crab has no large claws and, indeed, resembles a big spider.




Crab Bites
Prep time: 16-20 minutes
Cooking time: 13-15 minutes
Serves: 5

Ingredients:
170g crab meat (50/50 white and brown meat from a brown crab)
Good pinch cayenne pepper
Zest 1 lime, plus 1 tbsp lime juice
1 egg, beaten
12 slices streaky bacon, cut in half horizontally
4 tbsp plum sauce

Method:
1. Preheat the grill to medium-high. Mix the crab meat, cayenne pepper, lime zest, and egg together. Season well.
2. Using the back of a knife, stretch each piece of bacon so it's a little flatter and longer than before. Place a small mound of crab meat at one end of each piece of bacon. Roll the bacon around the crab meat, and secure with cocktail sticks, if necessary. Place on an oiled, foil-lined baking sheet or grill pan.
3. Place under the grill for 10 minutes, turning once to ensure even browning, until the rolls are evenly crisp and browned.
4. Drain on kitchen paper to remove any excess oil. Mix the plum sauce with the lime juice and serve with the warm bacon and crab bites.

Now, if something like this recipe fits in with your menu plans, you should give these a try ... I think you'll be glad you did ...
Eddie, and I, could eat them every day LOL!

All the best Jan

22 comments:

Jo said...

They look like a great idea for party snacks.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Living beside the ocean here in Perth the fresh seafood is brilliant Jan, so it's always good to find new recipes, merci beaucoup.

paul1976 said...

These look great!! I LOVE crab!

Cheers :-)

Paul

Linda Kay said...

Those look very yummy!

Lowcarb team member said...

Jo
Think they would go down a treat for party snacks...
Many thanks for your comment and enjoy your weekend.

All the best Jan

Lowcarb team member said...

'PDP' (PerthDailyPhoto)
Oh yes ... so lovely to live beside the ocean, make the most of all the glorious sea-food.
Thank you for your comment, wishing you a good weekend ahead.

All the best Jan

Lowcarb team member said...

Paul
These crab bites are just GREAT!
Many thanks for your comment, and all good wishes for the upcoming weekend.

All the best Jan

Lowcarb team member said...

Linda
They are indeed yummy!
Thank you for your comment, enjoy the weekend.

All the best Jan

Phil Slade said...

Those look delicious Jan. Not sure about the plum sauce though. Keep up with the fish recipes. Here in Knott End we have a good fishmonger and his pal who still goes out a mile or more on foot and quad to set nets by hand. I'm looking forward to summer and autumn when I can fill the freezer with sea bass and plaice.

Debbie said...

looks and sounds very delicious...i'm glad you shared the recipe!!!!

Lowcarb team member said...

Phil
It is great if you have a good fishmonger, and you live in the right place for good fish I would think! These crab bites, so delicious, can be eaten with or without plum sauce!
Many thanks for your comment, have a good weekend.

All the best Jan

Lowcarb team member said...

Debbie
... you know me and sharing recipes!
Thanks, as always, for your comments - all good wishes for the weekend.

All the best Jan

DeniseinVA said...

Thank you for sharing the recipe with such interesting information about the crab. Have a great weekend Jan :)

Kezzie said...

I.don't think I've ever eaten crab!!! Your recipe looks most intriguing!!!x

Lowcarb team member said...

Denise
Yes, when I started looking I found some great information about crabs, and it's nice to know a little more ...
Many thanks for your comment - have a lovely weekend

All the best Jan

Lowcarb team member said...

Kezzie
A warm welcome to the low carb diabetic and many thanks for your comments. They are appreciated and lovely to read and share.
Crab meat is lovely, and served wrapped with bacon, absolutely delicious. If you like fish why not give this recipe idea a try ...

Wishing you a happy weekend, and I hope the weather is good and not too cold.

All the best Jan

Gail said...

Far inland we rarely have a chance for good fresh seafood but this looks and sounds wonderful.

I'm glad you enjoy reading my tales. Thanks for visiting and for your kind comments.

Have a great weekend.

Red Rose Alley said...

Jan, my brother-in-laws used to be fishermen in Alaska, so I have had some wonderful crab through the years. This looks Yummy. There's nothing quite like bacon, is there?

Have a delightful weekend, Jan.

~Sheri

Lowcarb team member said...

Gail
Yes, I can imagine that living far inland good fresh seafood will not be an every day occurrence ... but glad you liked the look of this tasty dish!
Many thanks for your comments, wishing you a peaceful weekend.

All the best Jan

Lowcarb team member said...

Sheri
Gosh having brothers-in-laws fishing in Alaska, that's wonderful. I bet your crab tasted fantastic!
Thank you for your comments - have a lovely weekend.

All the best Jan

chris c said...

When I visit the fish restaurant I often have Angels On Horseback, an oyster wrapped in bacon and grilled. Hadn't thought of doing it with crab, I'll give this a try. We get fresh Cromer crabs from not far away but I admit to preferring the tinned variety. Usually I stir fry them with bacon, prawns, multicoloured peppers, chillies, garlic, ginger root etc. and some lemon grass and lime juice.

Lowcarb team member said...

Chris
You are indeed lucky to get fresh Cromer Crabs ... Yum!
But if you prefer them tinned, then why not! Your recipe suggestion sounds good to me.
Many thanks for your comments.

All the best Jan