5 replies to this topic

[pistolabella]

I'm making crab legs for the first time tonight, and after reading recipe after recipe (or, I guess "Method after method"), I think I want to try grilling them.However, I am a little perplexed. On the comments sections of many a blog, some people say they cut open the side of the shells before grilling. Wouldn't that dry the meat out? On the other hand, does any flavor from basting actually make it through the shell to the meat? I would love some input from anyone who has experience grilling crab. Thanks.

[heidih]

Are you talking about King Crab legs that are already cooked? If so they really just need to be heated gently with some classic garlic butter and lemon to dip.

[pistolabella]

Yes, they're pre-cooked, but what I'm wondering is whether or not they should actually be cracked before grilling, as I've read of some people doing. IT doesn't seem right to me.

[ChefCrash]

I don't think it matters much weather they're cracked. Make sure they're thawed, and grill them till heated thoroughly. If they dry too much they'll be too salty.
As far as dipping sauce try Beurre Monte.

[heidih]

As to basting, no - nothing will penetrate that thick shell. Rather than a baste consider a dipping sauce. As ChefCrash mentioned saltiness can be an issue with these guys. I generally scissor off a piece and taste after nuking to just bring to room temp. If it tastes really salty my preferred method is a quick dunk in a large pot of boiling water to try to release some of the salt. Not sure if the science of that is true but it seems to work in my experience. I do not think a grill is going to add anything to the taste and would only do it if I was grilling other items and that was the more convenient method of heating.

[Pierogi]

Crack them, lay them on a sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil (or doubled regular strength foil), and throw some ice cubes in there. Seal the foil up like a packet and lay them on the grill (or toss in the oven at about 350-375°). As Heidi says, since the crab legs are already cooked, and the shell is so impervious, grilling on direct heat isn't going to do anything to them of note, other than toughen them up. The steaming, especially if you also toss in some garlic and lemon slices, will do far more to improve the flavor. It's *not* like grilling a raw lobster tail.....*that* is spectacular, but these legs are usually already cooked.

Unless you're lucky enough to have raw crab (or softshells). In which case, well, there's not much you can do to them that will mess them up.....