To celebrate Valentine’s Day, we decided to treat ourselves to a little bit of snow crab. Specifically, a crab boil with potatoes and corn. Even though seafood boils like this are traditionally considered summer fare, we felt we needed something to pull us out of this mid-winter rut. The temperature last Sunday when we woke up was -7 so anything that can be done to make it feel like summer in our home is encouraged.
This meal couldn’t have possibly been easier. Everything gets boiled in one big stock pot, the only trick being whatever takes the longest to cook goes in first. I seasoned the water with Old Bay seasoning and threw in the potatoes first followed by the corn and then the crab, which takes just a couple minutes to reheat. I also threw in some shrimp, just for good measure, but the real star were those coral-toned crab legs.
Alongside the boil I set out bread, melted butter, lemon slices, and cocktail sauce. Jason’s Christmas gift this year was a set of lobster crackers, so I had those on the table as well. To go with the food I picked up some Perrin Brewing Company Gold ale. Something light and refreshing to wash down all the rich crab and butter.
For dessert, Jay whipped up his favorite chocolate chip cookies. Well, he made the dough and they have yet to become cookies so we had raw cookie dough for dessert, but I can’t complain.
This would be such a great meal to serve a group of people this summer. You can easily adjust the amount of each ingredient to cater to any number of guests and preparations are so simple. Or keep the portions small make it for someone you love for a relaxing night in.
Snow Crab Boil with Potatoes Corn and Shrimp
The beauty of this meal is in it’s versatility. The following will serve 4 but you can easily adjust the amounts of each ingredient depending on the number of people you’re serving and follow the same steps.
- 1/4 Cup Old Bay Seasoning
- 6-8 Red Potatoes
- 4 Ears of Corn, shucked and halved
- 3 Lbs Frozen Snow Crab Legs
- 15-20 Shrimp, deveined *
* Precooked frozen shrimp would also work, you’ll just want to add the shrimp in at the very last minute.
For Serving
- Melted Butter
- Cocktail Sauce
- Lemon Slices
- Crusty Bread or Biscuits
Fill a large stockpot 3/4 full with cold water and bring to a boil. Sprinkle the water with Old Bay seasoning. Add the potatoes and allow them to cook for about 10 minutes before checking. When they are just barely fork tender, add the corn and cook for 3 minutes. Next, place the crab and shrimp in the boiling water. Cook for 3 more minutes until the shrimp are red and opaque. If using frozen shrimp, throw them in when the crab has been in the simmering water for 2 minutes.
Drain everything and serve with butter, cocktail sauce, lemon slices, bread, and lots of napkins.
