Crab appeal

by Karen Malgapo

description
process

Crab fear keeps many people from choosing to order crab at a restaurant. The claws and hard spiky shell around the crab can be intimidating. Cracking a crab shell open is not nearly as neat as cutting into a piece of steak. That is exactly what some people are afraid of. However, the hands-on part of crab eating is what makes it so enjoyable.

You should have a lemon wedge and clarified butter ready for dipping. You'll also want a wet towel to wipe your hand and mouth clean after the meal. Some restaurants provide you with a bib, but you can also tuck your napkin into your shirt collar.

The process of eating crab begins with you tearing the crab into separate pieces. It is so much fun to eat one leg at a time, anticipating the amount of meat you'll find inside each leg. Anticipating what is inside the shell adds on to the craving. Restaurants usually provide a nutcracker to crack the shell with. I've seen people use their teeth for this as well, but I prefer to use my bare hands. After the shell is cracked, it can carefully be opened, revealing white, juicy crabmeat. It is interesting to see who can pull out all the meat in a crab leg in one whole piece.

After you've successfully retrieved the soft and sweet crabmeat, you can dip it into your warm clarified butter that you've squeezed your lemon into, and its ready to eat!

All the work you've put in to retrieving your crabmeat makes it so satisfying. After you've cleaned out all your shells, you can lick all the excess butter off your hands or simply wipe them clean with your wet towel.

Ordering a steak would not be as amusing as ordering crab. Keep that in mind the next time you're out to dinner. It's really not intimidating at all. You'll enjoy getting your hands a little dirty and your appetite will appreciate it, too.