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HOT CRAB
Photo: Elle Hughes

HOT CRAB

7 ingredients 8 steps gutenberg
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Estimated Nutrition (whole recipe, rough)

120
Calories
24g
Protein
1g
Fat
3g
Carbs
What these numbers assume — 5 portions →
Ingredient Portion assumed kcal
Shrimp 100g cooked 99
Nutmeg 1 tsp ground (2.2g) 12
Black Pepper 1 tsp ground (2.3g) 6
Vinegar 1 tbsp (15ml) distilled 3
Salt 1 tsp (6g) 0

Totals for the whole recipe, adding one typical portion per ingredient — listed above. Quantities in the recipe are not counted, so this is a rough guide only — not suitable for medical or dietary planning.

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoonfuls of vinegar
  • 1 crab
  • 3 persons
  • nutmeg
  • salt
  • pepper
  • vinegar

Directions

1

245. INGREDIENTS.--1 crab, nutmeg, salt and pepper to taste, 3 oz. of butter, 1/4 lb. of bread crumbs, 3 tablespoonfuls of vinegar.

2

_Mode_.--After having boiled the crab, pick the meat out from the shells, and mix with it the nutmeg and seasoning. Cut up the butter in small pieces, and add the bread crumbs and vinegar. Mix altogether, put the whole in the large shell, and brown before the fire or with a salamander.

3

_Time_.--1 hour. _Average cost_, from 10d. to 2s.

4

_Seasonable_ all the year; but not so good in May, June, and July.

5

_Sufficient_ for 3 persons.

6

THE CRAB TRIBE.--The whole of this tribe of animals have the body covered with a hard and strong shell, and they live chiefly in the sea. Some, however, inhabit fresh waters, and a few live upon land. They feed variously, on aquatic or marine plants, small fish, molluscae, or dead bodies. The _black-clawed_ species is found on the rocky coasts of both Europe and India, and is the same that is introduced to our tables, being much more highly esteemed as a food than many others of the tribe. The most remarkable feature in their history, is the changing of their shells, and the reproduction of their broken claws. The former occurs once a year, usually between Christmas and Easter, when the crabs retire to cavities in the rocks, or conceal themselves under great stones. Fishermen say that they will live confined in a pot or basket for several months together, without any other food than what is collected from the sea-water; and that, even in this situation, they will not decrease in weight. The _hermit_ crab is another of the species, and has the peculiarity of taking possession of the deserted shell of some other animal, as it has none of its own. This circumstance was known to the ancients, and is alluded to in the following lines from Oppian:-- The hermit fish, unarm'd by Nature, left Helpless and weak, grow strong by harmless theft. Fearful they stroll, and look with panting wish For the cast crust of some new-cover'd fish; Or such as empty lie, and deck the shore, Whose first and rightful owners are no more. They make glad seizure of the vacant room, And count the borrow'd shell their native home; Screw their soft limbs to fit the winding case, And boldly herd with the crustaceous race.

7

246. Crayfish should be thrown into boiling water, to which has been added a good seasoning of salt and a little vinegar. When done, which will be in 1/4 hour, take them out and drain them. Let them cool, arrange them on a napkin, and garnish with plenty of double parsley.

8

_Note_.--This fish is frequently used for garnishing boiled turkey, boiled fowl, calf's head, turbot, and all kinds of boiled fish.

By Isabella Beeton · Recipe sourced from gutenberg

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