Looking to add extra nutrition and variety to your diet? Crab can be a delicious answer. With its light, slightly sweet flavor, crab is an excellent low-calorie addition to any meal, and each serving contains several essential vitamins and minerals. In this article, we’re going to look at the amazing nutritional benefits of crab along with tips for cooking it so you can enjoy all those wonderful flavors every day!
Discover the nutritional benefits of crab.
Crab is a very nutritious food, providing a range of macro and micronutrients beneficial to health. It is an excellent source of protein, with 16g of protein per 100g serving. These proteins are important for building and repairing muscle, as well as maintaining healthy bones, cartilage, and skin.
The crab is a reservoir of trace elements.
Crab meat also contains zinc, which supports the immune system, promotes cell growth and helps wound healing. Apart from its high zinc content, crab contains other minerals such as iron, magnesium and selenium. Iron is essential for the production of red blood cells which carry oxygen throughout the body, while magnesium helps regulate blood sugar and contributes to energy production. Selenium acts as an antioxidant in the body, fighting free radicals and reducing inflammation.
Crab is one of the richest crustaceans in vitamin B12.
Crab also contains vitamin B12 which plays a role in red blood cell formation, DNA production and nerve function. Plus, it provides omega-3 fatty acids that have been linked to better heart health by lowering cholesterol levels and decreasing risk factors associated with heart disease such as high blood pressure or stroke. Finally, crab contains niacin which promotes cognitive health by aiding memory and concentration skills.
How to choose it?
When it comes to choosing crab, the key is to find fresh, high-quality ingredients. To do this, look for shiny, shiny shells with no cracks or spots. The flesh should smell sweet and appear slightly moist. If the crab has been in the market or grocery store for a while, choose the one with the least amount of liquid in its container.
When choosing live crabs, make sure they are active and lively. Squeeze and tap each crab lightly with your finger – if it reacts by moving its legs or claws, it’s still alive. Avoid crabs that are lethargic or showing signs of deterioration, such as broken or missing appendages.
Another important factor to consider is size. Generally speaking, large crabs are more expensive, but provide more meat than small ones. However, if you are looking for more delicate flavors in your crab dish, small specimens are a great alternative.
Finally, always check the storage temperature at which the crab was kept before buying it, as it can significantly affect its freshness and taste. Chilled crabs should ideally be stored at a temperature between 0°C and 4°C; frozen specimens should be stored below -18°C for best quality and flavor.
What is the best cooking method?
Cooking crabs is quite a complex process, but the end result can be an incredibly delicious and impressive meal. The most common way to prepare crabs is to steam them or boil them in salted water. For best results, it’s important to start with fresh, live crabs, but you can also use frozen pre-cooked crabs.
To steam or boil crabs, fill a pot with enough water to completely submerge them. Add a generous amount of salt and any other desired seasonings (like garlic cloves or bay leaves), and bring the liquid to a boil. Once boiling, carefully place the live crabs into the pot, one at a time, and cover with a lid. Allow the crabs to steam or boil in water for about 15 minutes before removing from the heat. If cooked properly, the shells of cooked crabs will take on a bright red color and will be very fragrant.
Another cooking method for a crispier texture.
For an even tastier dish that takes more effort, but is worth it, try roasting or grilling your crabs instead. To do this, you will need quality seasonings, such as Old Bay seasoning from the USA found at Carrefour, or the Cajun spice mix, which you will rub on the shell of your crab before cook it over hot coals or in an oven set at 180°C for about 10 minutes on each side until golden and slightly crispy on the outside, but still juicy on the inside. Be careful not to overcook so as not to dry out the meat of your crab!
Whichever cooking method you choose to prepare your crabs, always be sure to discard unused portions after cooking, as cooked seafood does not keep well once removed from its shells. Additionally, consider proper preservation techniques when dealing with raw crab; store it in containers fitted with ice packs and never leave it out at room temperature for more than a total of two hours during preparation!
