Alright, let’s talk about fryin’ up some crabs, you know, the kind you get from the market, not them fancy ones in a restaurant. I ain’t no chef, but I know how to make some good food, the kind that fills your belly and makes you feel good. My way ain’t fancy, but it works, and it tastes darn good.
First, you gotta get yourself some crabs, the freshest ones you can find. Don’t go buyin’ them frozen ones, they ain’t got no flavor. You want the ones that still smell like the sea, you know? And don’t be scared of them claws, they can’t hurt you once they’re cooked. Just be careful when they’re alive. Now, you need some oil, good ol’ oil. I like that olive stuff, but you can use whatever you got. Pour it in a big pan, a deep one, so the oil don’t splash everywhere. Heat it up real good, hot enough to make the crabs sizzle, but not so hot that it smokes up the whole house and sets off the fire alarm, been there done that! I guess around 375 degrees like them fancy folks say, but I just eyeball it.
- Get your crabs
- Heat the oil
- Don’t burn the house down
Now, when the oil’s hot, you carefully drop them crabs in. Don’t just throw ’em in, they’ll splash and you’ll get burned. Place them top side down, that’s what I always do. Fry ’em for a couple of minutes on one side, then flip ’em over and do the other side. You want them to be nice and golden brown, crispy on the outside, but still juicy on the inside. It usually takes me about two minutes a side, but you gotta watch ’em close, they cook fast. Don’t want to burn them, you know, burnt crab tastes like shoe leather.
Some folks, they like to steam their crabs, too. That’s alright, I guess, if you’re watchin’ your figure or somethin’. But for me, nothin’ beats fried crab. If you do want to steam them, get yourself a big pot, put some water in the bottom, and a steamer basket on top. Bring the water to a boil, then put them crabs in the basket, cover the pot, and steam them for about 10 or 15 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the meat ain’t see-through no more and the shells turn that bright orange color. It’s pretty, but fried is better in my opinion.
Now, while them crabs are cookin’, you can think about what to eat with them. Some folks like them plain, just like that. But I like to have a little somethin’ extra. Some folks like herbs, like that parsley stuff, or chives, or dill. I ain’t got no fancy garden so I just sprinkle a bit of whatever I have in the cabinet. Usually some salt and pepper is good enough for me, sometimes a bit of paprika if I’m feeling fancy. You can also whip up a quick salad. You know, lettuce, maybe some tomatoes and cucumbers, whatever you got in the fridge. Or even just a side of rice. It don’t have to be nothin’ fancy, just somethin’ to fill you up.
And listen, if you’re in a hurry, there’s other easy things you can make. Salmon salad is good, you just throw some cooked salmon with some lettuce and dressing. Real quick and easy. There’s all kinds of fish you can cook, shrimp, scallops, whatever you can find at the market. And it don’t have to take all day. You can find recipes that are ready in 15 minutes, or 30 minutes. Ain’t nobody got time to spend all day in the kitchen, unless you really like cookin’, I guess. But me? I like eatin’ more than cookin’, so I like to keep things simple.
So, there you have it, my way of fryin’ crabs. It ain’t fancy, but it’s good eatin’. And that’s all that matters, right? Now, go get yourself some crabs and start cookin’! Don’t be scared, just get in there and try it. You might surprise yourself. And even if you mess up, it’s alright. Just try again next time. That’s how you learn, ain’t it?
And remember, the most important thing is to enjoy your food. Don’t worry about what them fancy chefs say, just cook what you like, the way you like it. That’s the best kind of cookin’, the kind that comes from the heart. And a full belly is a happy belly, that’s what I always say.
Tags: fried crabs, easy seafood recipes, quick dinner ideas, home cooking, simple cooking, seafood, cooking tips