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Crab Española

(recipe, Ashley Griffin Gartland)

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Introduction

This recipe, from Mary Edwards, won a Cook It Frozen contest sponsored by Alaskan Seafood. It's also visible on the Cook It Frozen website.

Ingredients

1. ½ cup brandy (preferably Spanish)
2. 1 cup olive oil
3. 10 garlic cloves, peeled and sliced
4. 1 Tbsp. freshly cracked peppercorn medley (red, green, and black peppercorns)
5. 1 Tbsp. crushed red-pepper flakes
6. 1 tsp. garlic salt or to taste
7. 2 Tbsp. chopped flat-leaf parsley
8. 4 frozen Dungeness crab clusters, cut in half
9. 1 cup large Spanish olives (preferably from the deli section), drained
10. Additional parsley for garnish (if desired)
11. 1 loaf of warmed crusty bread, such as sourdough or baguette

Steps

1. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, combine the first seven ingredients.
2. Rinse the crab clusters to remove any ice crystals and pat them dry.
3. Add the split crab clusters to the oil mixture and tightly cover with a lid. Over low heat, bring the crab to a slow simmer. Turn the crab clusters, add the olives, and continue to simmer, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and allow the crab to rest, covered, until just warm.
4. Transfer to a large bowl, garnish with additional parsley if desired, and serve family style with crusty bread for dipping.

Note

This dish serves 8 as an appetizer or 4 as a main course. Read more in Ashley Griffin's article about competitive cooking.