Fresh Dungeness Cracked Crab with Aioli
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled
- 1 1/2 teaspoons coarse sea salt
- 3 large egg yolks, at room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed Meyer lemon juice, for thinning
- 6 2-to 2 1/2-pound live whole Dungeness crabs
- 2 tablespoons coarse sea salt
- Make the aioli:
- Place the garlic and salt in a mortar large enough to hold all the ingredients, and pound it to a smooth paste.
- Add the egg yolks and beat with the pestle until well combined.
- Begin adding the oil, a few drops at a time, letting it run down the side of the mortar, beating continually until the mixture starts to thicken.
- The aioli mixture should begin to thicken immediately.
- Continue adding all the remaining oil slowly in a steady stream, always adding to the side of the mortar.
- If the ailoi becomes to thick to beat, add a few drops of Meyer lemon juice to thin it out.
- Then stir in the remaining Meyer lemon juice.
- Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Prepare the crabs:
- Wash the crabs under cold running water.
- Bring a large stockpot (at least 12 quarts) of water to a boil.
- Add the salt and 2 to 3 crabs.
- Return the water to a rapid boil, cover, and boil the crabs for 12 minutes.
- To test doneness, pull off a legthe meat should be firm and white.
- Using tongs, remove the crabs from the boiling water, and rinse under cold water.
- Bring the water back to a boil and cook the remaining crabs in batches.
- To clean the crabs, remove the top shell and then the gills on either side of the body.
- Rinse under cold running water.
- Turn the crabs over and remove the triangular piece off the breast body.
- Cut the crabs in half and tear off the legs.
- Place the crab pieces onto a large platter.
- If not serving immediately, cover the crab, and refrigerate.
- Serve chilled with the garlic aioli.
garlic, salt, egg yolks, extra virgin olive oil, freshly squeezed meyer, crabs, salt
Taken from www.cookstr.com/recipes/fresh-dungeness-cracked-crab-with-aioli (may not work)