I'm going camping this weekend and I am wondering about supplies for boiling up some blue crabs on site?
Posted: September 28th, 2010 | Author: Mitch | Filed under: Camping Recipes | Tags: camping stove, open grill, pot, recipes | 4 Comments »It’s been years since I last went camping and I’m wondering if this can be done with a open grill and large pot or if I need to get a camping stove. Any recipes, tips, or answers will be helpful.
If you’re going to do a lot of near-the-car camping, I’d recommend getting a Dutch oven and a tripod. If you hang a Dutch oven over a campfire and just keep throwing wood on the fire (which you’d probably do anyway), then you should have no problem boiling water long enough for some tasty crabs.
Camping stoves are convenient – I use them when I’m away from the car – but I find cooking over a fire is more satisfying. I also like to avoid using the non-refillable propane/butane tanks required by many stoves.
A Coleman stove is good for that. Usually a grill like a charcoal grill won’t stay hot enough long enough to boil water.
Pick up some "Crab Boil" from a grocery store. You can find it in the spice section. Just follow the directions on the box. It’s good.
If you want something really good, buy a package of Zatarain’s Jumbalaya. Follow the directions on the box, but add a few whole crabs to it while it’s cooking.
Use one can of cheap beer, equal amout of white vinegar. Old Bay has a low sodium seasoning. Use a inverted pie plate with holes, or crumbled foil (to keep crabs out of liquid) inside the pot. Cover, bring to a boil & simmer for 30 min. Only cook live crabs. I use a propane camp stove. Don’t forget the mallets. Dip the meat in malt vinegar & seasoning. Never put cooked crabs in the same container live crabs came in. This is Maryland style. I live in Florida.
If you can get the fire hot enough and maintain it at that level then you could use a grill. Keep in mind that it will be a lot of work and it will be dirtier than using a camping stove. Therefore if you can get a stove, its probably the best way to go.
As far as recipes, I don’t like to purchase pre-made seasonings as they tend to cover up the real taste of what you are eating (IMO). For crabs, we just add sliced onions and garlic to the water, pepper and salt and some lemon/lime juice. That’s all you will need!!
Oh, and don’t forget the white wine to go with it!!
Enjoy.