Simple Lobster And Crab Cooking Without A Steamer

Lobster and crab are both delicious seafood dishes, but cooking them without a steamer basket might seem like a challenge. However, there are several alternative methods you can use to achieve perfectly cooked seafood. For crab legs, you can use a pot of boiling water, a colander or metal sieve, or even an oven or microwave. When it comes to lobster, you have a few more options, including boiling, steaming, baking, broiling, grilling, or even microwaving. So, whether you're cooking crab or lobster, not having a steamer basket doesn't have to stop you from enjoying a delicious seafood feast.

Boiling crab legs

Firstly, you will need a large pot and enough water to fully submerge the crab legs. Bring this water to a boil over high heat. Adding a generous amount of salt to the water will enhance the flavour of the crab meat. You can also add other ingredients such as lemon slices, garlic, or herbs to the water to infuse additional flavours.

Once the water is boiling, carefully place the crab legs into the pot. It is important to reduce the heat to medium at this point to control the cooking process. Allow the crab legs to simmer for around 5-7 minutes. This timing will ensure that the crab legs are cooked through while remaining tender and easy to shell.

Finally, use tongs to carefully remove the crab legs from the pot and transfer them to a platter or serving dish. This boiling method will ensure that your crab legs are cooked just right and ready to be enjoyed!

If you prefer a different cooking technique, you can also bake crab legs in the oven. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and place a wire rack on a baking sheet. Brush the crab legs with melted butter or olive oil to keep them moist during the cooking process. Bake them for approximately 12-15 minutes, or until they are heated through. This method will give the crab legs a slightly different flavour and texture, with a hint of smokiness.

Steaming crab legs with a colander

If you're missing a steamer basket, don't fret! You can use a colander or a metal sieve to steam crab legs. Here's a step-by-step guide:

First, fill a pot with about 2 inches of water and bring it to a boil. Then, place a heatproof colander or metal sieve on top of the pot, ensuring it fits securely. Next, arrange the crab legs in the colander or sieve in a single layer. Cover the pot with a lid to trap the steam.

Steam the crab legs for approximately 5-7 minutes or until they are heated through. You'll know they're done when the meat is an opaque white with an orange or red hue; be careful not to overcook them, as they'll become rubbery. Once they're ready, carefully remove the colander or sieve from the pot using oven mitts or tongs.

And that's it! You now have perfectly steamed crab legs, just as if you had used a steamer basket. The gentle steam has preserved the natural flavours and textures of the crab meat.

Baking crab legs

Baked crab legs are a delicious alternative to steamed or boiled crab legs, and they're simple to make! Here's a step-by-step guide on how to bake crab legs:

Ingredients:

• Crab legs (king crab or snow crab are great options)
• Olive oil
• Butter
• Garlic (optional)
• Lemon (optional)
• Salt or seafood boil seasoning (optional)

Method:

• Preheat your oven to a temperature between 350°F and 425°F.
• Prepare the crab legs by rinsing them in the sink if they appear dirty.
• Place the crab legs on a rimmed baking sheet. Brush them with olive oil and season with salt or seafood boil seasoning, if desired.
• Bake the crab legs for around 20-25 minutes. If you're using thicker king crab legs, they may need a little longer.
• While the crab legs are baking, you can make a delicious garlic butter by melting butter in a skillet and adding minced garlic. Cook this over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until the butter is melted and the garlic is lightly browned.
• Once the crab legs are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes.
• Squeeze some lemon juice over the crab legs, if desired, and serve with the garlic butter on the side for dipping.

Boiling lobster

Boiling is one of the most well-known ways to cook live lobster. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Firstly, you will need a large pot. A large stock pot or even a turkey frying pot will work. The pot should be big enough to hold the lobsters. Use about 1 gallon of water per lobster, ensuring the pot is deep enough to submerge the lobster by at least 3 inches.

Next, fill the pot with water and add salt. For each quart of water, add 2 tablespoons of salt. If you have access to sea water, you can use that instead and skip the salt. Bring the water to a strong boil over high heat.

Now, it's time to prepare the lobsters. Keep the rubber bands on the claws to protect yourself. Hold the lobster by the upper side of the thorax between your thumb and middle finger, keeping the underside of the body away from you. Place the lobsters headfirst into the pot, one at a time, completely submerging them.

Once all the lobsters are in the pot, cover it tightly and return the water to a boil as quickly as possible. After the water boils, start timing and regulating the heat to prevent it from boiling over. Be sure to keep the water boiling throughout the cooking time.

The cooking time will depend on the size of the lobsters. As a guide, steam or boil for 10 minutes plus 2 minutes for every quarter-pound of lobster. For example, a 1-pound lobster will take about 10 minutes, while a 1 1/4-pound lobster will take 12 minutes.

After the lobsters have cooked for the recommended time, carefully remove them from the pot using tongs. They will be very hot, so set them in a large bowl or leave them to cool for five minutes before cracking and serving.

Serve the lobsters with melted butter and lemon wedges, if desired. Enjoy your delicious, freshly cooked lobster!

Grilling lobster

Preparing the Lobster:

First, you will need to butterfly the lobster tails. Use a pair of kitchen shears to cut through the top centre of the lobster tail shell until you reach the base. Be careful not to slice through the tail completely, as you want to keep the lobster tail intact. Then, gently pull out the lobster meat and lay it on top of the shell. Use a sharp knife to make a shallow score through the centre of the meat and gently pull it apart.

Making the Butter Sauce:

In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, pressed garlic, and lemon juice. You can also add other ingredients like chives, parsley, or red pepper flakes to taste. Set the butter sauce aside.

Seasoning the Lobster:

Brush the lobster tails with oil and season with salt and pepper. You can also insert a skewer lengthwise through the lobster to keep it from curling up during cooking.

Grilling the Lobster:

Preheat your grill to around 400°F. Place the lobster tails flesh-side down on the grill and cook for about 5 minutes, or until grill marks form. Then, flip the tails over and grill for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the flesh turns opaque and reaches an internal temperature of 140°F.

Finishing the Lobster:

Finally, brush the grilled lobster tails with the prepared butter sauce and serve immediately.

Tips:

• Pick the freshest lobster possible. Look for a brownish shell (it will turn red as it cooks) and grayish flesh with no fishy smell.
• Always thaw frozen lobster tails before grilling. The safest and fastest way is to place them in cold water for 30 minutes.
• Don't boil lobster tails before grilling, as this will dry out the meat and make it rubbery.
• Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the lobster tails. This will ensure they are cooked to a safe temperature.
• Serve grilled lobster tails with a bright and fresh arugula salad or creamy risotto for a romantic dinner or a special occasion.

Enjoy your perfectly grilled lobster tails!

Frequently asked questions