Cooking Sand Crabs - 2nd Go

[thedeckie]

MR /MRS MODERATOR THIS POST WAS MOVED TO THE RECIPE SECTION,COULD IT BE LEFT IN THIS SECTION AS I DO NOT BELEIVE IM ASKING FOR A RECIPE IM ASKING FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON COOKING SAND CRABS!!



Hi all,
Could someone give me some info on the best way to cook sand crabs?

We intend to chase a few up at Pumicestone passage this weekend coming.

I have cooked mud crabs before and assume you would apply the same principals??????

1) Is it best to take a bucket of water to cook them in from where they were caught?

2) Is cleanig them out at the waters edge before being cooked the way to go?

3) How long would you generally cook sand crabs for?

Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Paul

NOTE: I would also like feedback on whether you think this request should be in the Saltwater Section or the Recipe Section.

Thanks

[Noelm]

hey, check the Recipe section, I have answered this.

[thedeckie]

Thanks Noel, I did see your reply and it was much appreciated.
For some reason the moderators decided that it was a recipe and moved it from Saltwater to recipes

I dont beleive that I was posting up a recipe or asking for a recipe!!!

Cheers

Paul

[Freeeedom]

1. You can cook them in the water where they were caught (if it's clean) - otherwise cook them in water with a good handful of cooking salt added to make it salty to the taste.
2. I don't clean them until they are cooked - I think the flavour is better if the 'brown meat' is left in them while cooking, but that's a personal thing
3. Bring the water to a rolling boil then add the crabs. If the water comes rapidly back to the boil you can take them out after 8 minutes, but if you have a lot of crabs and it takes a while for the water to get back to the boil then it may take up to 12 minutes. Take the cooked crabs out of the boiling water and soak them in ice cold salty water for about an hour. This allows some salt to soak into them and improves the taste in my opinion. Keep refrigerated and they will be in top condition for about 3 days before the meat starts to soften a bit. This is not usually a problem since they don't usually last that long.
Cheers Freeeedom

[thedeckie]

Thanks Freeedom,it was actually you that inspired me to head up to Bribie,sounds as though there is a few sandies around.

I need to get the ornament (boat) out of the garage as it hasn't seen sunlight for about 4 months.

Any tips you can offer for up that way would be appreciated.

Cheers

Paul

[Freeeedom]

Hi Paul
Sending you a PM
Cheers Freeeedom

[DALEPRICE]

gday paul,
for cleaned sand crabs 4 mins. thats drop them in boiling water,
wait till water boils again and start timer. after 4mins drop into
ice slurry made on salt water. also use salt water to cook if poss.
cheers dale and good luck.

[thedeckie]

Thanks Dale,I only mentioned to Phill on Sunday you had been quiet.

Haven't seen your hand go up for 1770 yet which I thought was unusual

Cheers

Paul

[trueblue]

1. You can cook them in the water where they were caught (if it's clean) - otherwise cook them in water with a good handful of cooking salt added to make it salty to the taste.
2. I don't clean them until they are cooked - I think the flavour is better if the 'brown meat' is left in them while cooking, but that's a personal thing
3. Bring the water to a rolling boil then add the crabs. If the water comes rapidly back to the boil you can take them out after 8 minutes, but if you have a lot of crabs and it takes a while for the water to get back to the boil then it may take up to 12 minutes. Take the cooked crabs out of the boiling water and soak them in ice cold salty water for about an hour. This allows some salt to soak into them and improves the taste in my opinion. Keep refrigerated and they will be in top condition for about 3 days before the meat starts to soften a bit. This is not usually a problem since they don't usually last that long.
Cheers Freeeedom

What Freedom said... spot on

Cheers

Mick