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Ingredients
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Crab and Seafood
Aromatic Base
Sauce and Seasoning
Finishing and Garnish
To Serve
Method
Prep
Clean and portion crab
Rinse whole crabs under cold water. Using kitchen shears or a sharp knife, halve each crab through the center (or quarter if large). Crack claws slightly to allow sauce penetration. Pat dry and set aside.
Prepare other seafood
Peel and devein shrimp, set on a plate. Scrub mussels and discard any that remain open when tapped. Measure and have aromatics and liquids ready (mise en place).
Cook Aromatic Base
Add minced garlic and grated ginger, sauté 45–60 seconds until fragrant but not browned. Stir in lemon zest and tomato paste; cook 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly, to caramelize the tomato paste and deepen flavor.
Deglaze and Build Sauce
Pour in white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Let wine reduce by half, about 2–3 minutes.
Add fish or seafood stock, paprika, crushed red pepper, Old Bay, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook 3–4 minutes to let flavors meld.
Lower heat to medium-low and stir in the heavy cream and remaining 2 tablespoons butter until incorporated and the sauce becomes slightly glossy. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Cook Crab and Seafood
Carefully nestle the halved crabs into the sauce, meaty side down so the sauce contacts the flesh. Cover the pan and simmer gently for 6–8 minutes (depending on crab size) so the crab heats through and absorbs sauce flavors.
Add the shrimp and mussels to the pan, tucking mussels hinge-down into the sauce. Cover and cook 4–6 minutes more, until shrimp are pink and opaque and mussels have opened. Discard any mussels that remain closed.
If the sauce thickens too much before seafood finishes cooking, add up to 60 ml (1/4 cup) additional stock or water to loosen to desired consistency.
Finish and Serve
Serve immediately in the skillet or transfer to a serving platter. Provide crusty bread or steamed rice to soak up the sauce. Yield: 4 servings.