Classic Crab Boil Recipes

Steps:

• Rinse the crabs with cool water and transfer to a large cooler. Top with ice and let sit until the crabs are still, about 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, to make the seafood seasoning, grind the bay leaves in a spice grinder until finely ground. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the paprika, celery salt and cayenne.
• Pour the beer into a 36-quart stockpot with a basket insert and add the vinegar, 2 tablespoons of the seafood seasoning and 6 cups water. Stir to combine. Add the steamer basket (the liquid should be below the basket), cover and bring to a boil over high heat.
• Put 12 crabs in a single layer, shell-side up, on the steamer rack. Sprinkle liberally with about 1/4 cup seafood seasoning. Repeat the process, layering and sprinkling, with the remaining crabs and seasoning. Cover and steam until the crabs are bright orange all over (there should be no traces of blue or green), 20 to 25 minutes.
• Transfer the crabs to a large platter or rimmed baking sheet--or spread them out directly on a table covered with butcher paper -- and serve with crab mallets for cracking the shells.

Steps:

• Fill a very large stockpot fitted with a basket insert with about 8 quarts of water, or about halfway full. Squeeze lemons into the water, tossing the halves in too. Add onions, chiles, thyme, garlic, 1 2/3 cup seafood seasoning, 6 teaspoons kosher salt, and bay leaves; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Stir potatoes into the pot and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Next, add the sausage and corn; cook another 5 minutes, making sure everything stays covered with the liquid. Add the clams and boil until they open, about 8 minutes. Toss in the shrimp and shut off the heat. Cover the pot and let the shrimp steep in the flavor for 10 minutes, adding the crab in the last 5 minutes (press them into the liquid).
• Drain and spread the crab, shrimp, sausage, clams, corn, potatoes, and onions out on a newspaper-covered table or on 3 large serving trays. Sprinkle with a dusting of Old Bay® or provide for individual use.

Steps:

• In a small stockpot, heat the oil over medium heat. Saute the artichokes, sausage and onions until lightly colored, about 5 minutes. Add 12 cups (3 quarts) water, the potatoes, crab boil spice mix, salt, hot sauce, pepper, bay leaves and jalapenos. Cover the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, add the corn and cover. Cook until the corn is tender, about 10 minutes. Add the crab and cook about 7 minutes. Strain the boil through a colander. Plate immediately on a large serving dish. Garnish with sliced green onions or your favorite fresh herb. Serve with the Garlic Bread.
• Position an oven rack in the top of the oven and preheat the broiler.
• In a small bowl, mix the butter together with the Parmesan, parsley, garlic and scallions; add hot sauce, salt and pepper to taste. Spread the butter mixture on both halves of the baguette. Place on a sheet pan and toast under the broiler, about 2 minutes.

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil; add potatoes, sausages, onions, corn, and seafood seasoning. Cook mixture at a boil until the potatoes are cooked through, about 30 minutes.
• Gently drop crabs into the boiling mixture; cook until the crabmeat is cooked through, at least 10 minutes. Drain water.