All About King Crab

The King Crab is considered by many to be the most succulent and delicious of all the edible crabs. Their firm, almost sweet meat have made them one of the most popular and sought after crustaceans in all the oceans. Their popularity as a food item has led to the unfortunate deaths of many brave fisherman, and has even spawned a critically acclaimed television show! But what makes these large crabs good enough for people to risk their lives for? The answer simply lies in their uniquely tasty meat, which many seafood suppliers need and chefs demand. Not only is this prized meat extremely flavorful, but it is also a highly versatile ingredient.

What is a King Crab?

The crustacean known as the king crab more often than not refers to the red king crab, which is a giant species of crab native to the Bering Sea, North Pacific Ocean, and other Alaskan waters. They are described as red more for their color when cooked, and not so much for their natural color. King crabs have also become somewhat of an invasive species in the Barents sea, slowly advancing southward by over twenty miles per year. Despite this, several international treaties are in place to protect this valuable seafood commodity, as the red king crab is the most valuable crab per pound in the world! The king crab survives by slowly advancing across the sea bed, eating most anything edible that happens to come their way.

King Crab Fishing

Because of the king crab's huge popularity and high selling price, many fisherman from Alaska, Norway, and Russia brave the icy cold waters of the Northern Atlantic in order to catch them. When fishing for Alaskan King Crab, the use of large bait traps or "pots" which consist of a steel frame surrounded by wire mesh. These pots hold some kind of bait, usually dead fish, that attract the crabs into the cage where they are unable to leave. The crab fisherman set out lines of these traps in designated areas and retrieve them a while later. There are strict limitations to how many king crabs may be harvested in a season, and the season is kept vary short in order to preserve king crab populations. The short, furious, and ultimately dangerous crab fishing season is what spawned the birth of the Discovery Channel's hit show Deadliest Catch.

Cooking With King Crab

The most popular and sought after part of the king crab is it's succulent legs. These meaty crab legs are used in a number of delicious dishes, from main courses, to salads, soups, and even appetizers! It's the wonderful flexibility of king crab meat that many chefs, cooks, and patrons alike so enjoy. Because of the high cost of king crab legs, it is mainly served on special or romantic occasions. But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy it anytime the mood strikes you! Here are a couple simple recipes utilizing this king of seafood:

Steamed King Crab:

Ingredients:

One and One Half Pounds King Crab Legs
Melted Butter
Spicy Tomato Relish

Directions:

Break King Crab Legs into serving size pieces. Next, place a rack over 3/4 to 4/5 inch of boiling water. Arrange crab legs evenly on the rack until they reach a rich red color and are thoroughly heated. Serve immediately when done with melted butter and spicy tomato relish, makes four servings.

King Crab Bisque

Ingredients:

One Pound King Crab Meat
One Tablespoon Finely Chopped Onion
One Fourth Cup Melted Butter
Three Table Spoons Flour
One Fourth Teaspoon Paprika
One Dash White Pepper and Salt
One Quart Milk
Parsley to Taste

Directions:

First, clean the king crab meat, making sure to remove any loose bits of shell. Next, saute the onions in the butter until golden brown. While the onions saute break up the crab meat into small, soup size bits. After onions have reached a golden brown, blend in the flour, paprika, salt and pepper. Next, slowly add the milk while constantly stirring. Aster the milk is added throw in the crab meat and heat thoroughly. Be sure to allow the bisque to cool slightly before serving, serves up to four.