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Friday 3 August 2018

Crabs : Delicious Stuffed with Tomatoes, Basil and Hazelnuts


This is a challenging recipe suggestion from Pascal Naessens' (about one hour to prepare) but if you love crab … so worthwhile! If you are up for the challenge read on ... 
World-class crabs stuffed with tomatoes, basil and hazelnuts. Such a unique mix of flavours, and those delicious toasted hazelnuts really bring all the different elements together. Wow!
Maybe you have a special celebration coming up, this recipe suggestion could fit the bill!

Ingredients:
Serves Two

11 carbs per serving
2 Dungeness crabs or canned crab meat
5 oz. (150g) shrimp, cooked and peeled
1¼ cups (300ml) fresh basil
2 scallions (spring onions)
2 tomatoes
¾ cup (175ml) hazelnuts, toasted
¼ cup (60ml) hazelnut oil
sea salt

pepper, to taste

Pascales' Tip:
In addition to the white crabmeat, females contain roe, also known as red coral. Not everyone is wild about the roe, but it is actually delicious, if a bit rich. You can add this to the crab mixture, or you could serve it on the side by mixing it with mayonnaise to create a dressing. 

You will never get enough meat from a crab to completely fill the shell; therefore, I add shrimp. This way, you won't have to worry about not having a generously filled crab. 

Removing crabmeat is a lot of work. After a meal, I clean the crab shells so I can re-use them. Then, for a quick meal, I make the filling with canned crabmeat or fresh lump crabmeat and the entire dish is ready in 15 minutes.

Full recipe instructions:
Can be found here

Crabs:
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 flavoursome 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."

Details taken from here

You will find a variety of articles and recipe ideas within this blog, but please note, not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter.

All the best Jan

21 comments:

Elephant's Child said...

Tomatoes and basil go soooo well together.

William Kendall said...

My aversion to seafood means I'd pass on this.

Christine said...

I do love crab this looks so good!

Lisabella Russo said...

It looks like a challenging recipe. As a vegetarian it's not for me, but I like the idea of adding hazelnuts to a recipe.

Jo said...

Crab always looks so appetising but I'm just not keen on the taste. I wonder if I might enjoy it with these additions.

HappyK said...

Crabs! Love them!

Martha said...

Crab is always so enjoyable! Lovely recipe.

wisps of words said...

1 hour to prepare. -chuckle- Not much that I like enough, to spend an hour, in preparation. :-)

peppylady (Dora) said...

I bet hazelnut adds an interest crunch to it.
Coffee is on

Tom said...

...it sure looks good!

Valerie-Jael said...

I'm sure those who like crabs will love it! Hugs, Valerie

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Iwish I lived closer to an ocean. The only crab I get is already processed. This stuffed crab sounds SO good. YUM.

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Jan,

I love Crab also, and would be worth the preparation time and how delicious it would be.
Happy weekend
hugs
Carolyn

Iris Flavia said...

Oh, LOL.
I tried, but when I came to "crab liver" two to me so icky words met I could not read any further ;-)
No offense, but...
OH seesh, I just BET it´s even very healthy! I thank my Dad for these stupid genes!

Ygraine said...

I really like crab but haven't eaten any for years. But this looks so delicious that I will simply HAVE to try it!
Thank you so much for sharing.:))

Have a Brilliant Weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

As a Marylander I love crabs, we steam them with a spicy seasoning. Eat the crab meat right out of the shell or pick for crab cakes. But, this recipe sounds delicious too. Enjoy your day and weekend!

Teresa said...

Se ve delicioso. Buena tarde.

Lee said...

I love crabs just as they are...no trimmings other than some vinegar...lots of paper towels and water nearby. :)

Oh, how I love crabs!

Bill said...

I love crabs and that sounds delicious.

Debbie said...

4000 species of crab, how surprising!! i love crabs but i have no idea which one??!! this does sound good, the hazelnuts would be very unexpected!!!

Magic Love Crow said...

Sounds really good! My mom says thanks!