Best Way To Cook Dungeness Crab Clusters
If you love seafood, then you must have tasted the delicious Dungeness crab. This crab is famous for its sweet, tender, and succulent meat. It's a delicacy that is enjoyed by seafood lovers all over the world. Cooking Dungeness crab clusters might seem like a difficult task, but it's actually quite simple. In this article, we will show you the best way to cook Dungeness crab clusters, and how to ensure that the meat remains juicy and flavorful.
Choosing the Right Crab
The first step in cooking Dungeness crab clusters is to choose the right crab. When buying Dungeness crab, it's important to choose a live and healthy crab. A live crab should be active and have all its legs intact. Inspect the crab to ensure that it's free from any cracks or damage. Select live crabs that are heavy for their size as this is an indication of meaty crabs.
Cleaning and Preparing the Crab
Before cooking the crab, you need to clean and prepare it properly. Start by filling a large pot with enough water to cover the crab clusters. Add a generous amount of salt to the water to give it a salty taste. Bring the water to a boil and then add the crab clusters. Boil the crab clusters for about 10-12 minutes or until they turn bright red.
Once the crab is cooked, remove them from the pot and rinse them under cold running water. This helps to stop the cooking process and also removes any impurities. Next, use a pair of kitchen shears to cut off the front claws and legs. Crack the claws with a crab cracker or a hammer.
Cooking the Crab Clusters
Now that the crab clusters are prepped, it's time to cook them. There are several methods you can use to cook the crab clusters – baking, grilling, or steaming. However, the best way to cook Dungeness crab clusters is by steaming them.
To steam the crab clusters, you need a large pot with a steamer basket. Fill the pot with a few inches of water and bring it to a boil. Once the water is boiling, add the crab clusters to the steamer basket and place it inside the pot. Cover the pot and let the crab clusters steam for about 5-8 minutes.
After 5-8 minutes, remove the pot from the heat and let the crab clusters rest for a minute or two. This allows the meat to absorb the flavors and juices. Serve the crab clusters with butter or cocktail sauce.
Tips for Perfectly Cooked Crab Clusters
There are a few tips that can help you cook perfectly cooked Dungeness crab clusters. Firstly, do not overcook the crab clusters as this will result in tough and rubbery meat. Secondly, add some vinegar to the boiling water to help the meat come out cleaner and easier to extract. Lastly, season the crab clusters with your favorite spices or herbs for extra flavor.
Conclusion
Cooking Dungeness crab clusters might seem daunting, but it's actually quite easy. With the right preparation techniques, you can cook delicious and juicy crab clusters that will be a hit at your next dinner party. Remember to choose live and healthy crabs, clean and prep them properly, and cook them using the steaming method. Follow these tips, and you will have perfectly cooked Dungeness crab clusters that will be the highlight of your meal.