Description
Irresistible creamy butter garlic crab brings coastal Italian flavors to your dinner table. Succulent seafood mingles with rich garlic butter, promising a luxurious dining experience you’ll savor with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large crabs (cleaned and cracked, about 1 kg / 2.2 lbs total)
- 5 tbsps butter
- ½ cup heavy cream (or evaporated milk for a lighter version)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 5 cloves garlic (minced)
- ¼ cup chicken or seafood broth
- 2 tbsps grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for extra creaminess)
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard (for depth of flavor)
- ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional, for richness)
- ½ tsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
- Crab Preparation: Meticulously clean and segment fresh crab, removing shell fragments to ensure smooth dining.
- Pan Infusion: Heat a skillet with butter and olive oil, creating a golden, aromatic foundation that will elevate the seafood’s natural essence.
- Flavor Activation: Introduce minced garlic and red pepper flakes into the shimmering fat, stirring quickly to release their intense, provocative aroma without scorching.
- Initial Cooking: Gently nestle crab pieces into the fragrant oil, coating each morsel thoroughly. Season with salt and black pepper to amplify the maritime flavors.
- Sauce Development: Shift crab to one side and melt additional butter, then incorporate broth and cream with a smooth, consistent whisking motion to prevent curdling.
- Flavor Layering: Enrich the sauce with Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, lemon zest, and fresh lemon juice. Stir continuously to distribute the complex flavor profile.
- Cheese Integration: Sprinkle Parmesan cheese into the sauce, stirring until it melts and creates a velvety, luxurious consistency that gracefully coats the crab.
- Final Fusion: Reunite crab with the sumptuous sauce, gently tossing to ensure complete flavor absorption and optimal temperature throughout.
- Presentation: Transfer to a serving platter, adorning with fresh parsley for a vibrant, eye-catching finish. Serve alongside crusty bread, rice, or pasta to complete the culinary experience.
Notes
- Freshness First: Choose live or recently caught crab for maximum flavor and tenderness, avoiding frozen options whenever possible.
- Oil Temperature Control: Maintain medium-low heat to prevent butter from burning and garlic from becoming bitter, creating a perfectly balanced base.
- Sauce Consistency Trick: Whisk cream and broth slowly to prevent curdling, ensuring a smooth, silky sauce that clings beautifully to the crab meat.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Add Parmesan gradually and stir continuously to achieve a creamy texture without clumping or separating.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 25 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg