Perfectly Steamed Snow Crab: A Simple and Delicious Recipe
Perfectly Steamed Snow Crab: A Simple and Delicious Recipe
How to Steam Snow Crab: Easy Preparation, Cooking Time, and Tips for the Best Flavor
Let’s steam some fresh, seasonal snow crab to perfection, ensuring its natural sweetness and delicate texture shine through.
Ingredients- 6 fresh live snow crabs
- 1/2 cup cooking wine (Cheongju) or sake
- 800ml water
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
We’re going to steam some delicious, in-season snow crab today. This method is simple and guarantees a wonderfully flavorful result that truly celebrates the crab’s natural taste.
Step 2
Begin by thoroughly cleaning the snow crabs. Use a soft brush to scrub away any dirt, algae, or debris from the body, legs, and especially the joints between the legs and the body. Ensuring the crabs are spotless will result in a cleaner-tasting steamed dish.
Step 3
Next, let’s prepare the underside of the crab. Locate the ‘abdomen’ or ‘belly flap’ and gently push it to remove any accumulated waste or excrement. After removing this, give the underside a final wipe-down to ensure it’s clean.
Step 4
Now, let’s prepare the steaming liquid. Add 800ml of water to your steamer pot. To enhance the flavor and remove any potential fishiness, add 1/2 cup of Cheongju (Korean rice wine) or sake to the water.
Step 5
Once the steaming liquid is ready, carefully arrange the cleaned crabs in the steamer basket. An important tip for the best results: place the crabs **with their bellies facing upwards**. This orientation helps to prevent the flavorful juices from escaping during steaming, ensuring the crab meat stays moist and succulent.
Step 6
Cover the pot tightly with a lid and steam over high heat for 10 to 15 minutes. It is crucial **not to open the lid during the steaming process**. Opening the lid allows the steam and precious juices to escape, which can make the crab meat less flavorful and even cause condensation to drip back, potentially making the crab look messy. After the initial 10-15 minutes of steaming, turn off the heat and let the crab **rest, covered, for about 2 minutes**. This resting period allows the heat to distribute evenly, ensuring the crab is cooked through and perfectly tender.
Step 7
And there you have it – perfectly steamed snow crab, ready to be enjoyed! Allow it to cool slightly, then serve immediately to experience its incredible sweetness and delicate texture.
