One of the best things about being a Filipino cook, or being someone who has tasted the country’s cuisine, is that you have probably been exposed to various ways to have seafood. Sinigang, anyone? Since the Philippines is an archipelago, there is a lot of accessibility to the best offerings from the sea. And so…
Crab Recipes
Ginataang Alimasag with Sitaw at Kalabasa
The phrase “Ginataang Alimasag” refers to crabs cooked in sweet, tasty coconut milk. Filipinos love anything with gata or coconut milk –– you could say we go nuts for coconuts! It’s one of our most abundant produce, especially since we live in a tropical country. We love coconut juice at the end of a long…
Cheesy Crab and Corn Nachos
Cheesy Crab and Corn Nachos is a perfect appetizer especially if you are out for a drink or two. It is cheesy, very tasty, and has a little bit of spice that will tickle your taste buds. I like to consume it while it is still freshly hot from the oven. Making your own cheesy…
Ginataang Langka with Alimasag
I like ginataang langka, but I enjoy having ginataang langka with alimasag better. It is rich, flavorful, and has the right amount of heat. Ginataang langka with alimasag is a dish composed of young (unripe) jackfruit, blue crabs, and gata. The jackfruit is sautéed in garlic, onion, and ginger and then cooked with coconut milk….
Chili Crab with Snake Beans
Chili Crab with Snake Beans is my version of the famous chili crab dish with one of my favorite vegetable: Sitaw (also known as string beans and snake beans). This is a simple dish that anyone can prepare regardless of your level in cooking. The easy-to-follow recipe located below this post as well as the…
Tortang Talong with Crab Meat (Eggplant Omelet with Crab)
Tortang talong or eggplant omelet has always been my go to dish when I do not like to eat meat, but want something decent and quick to prepare. I enjoy eating it with rice and banana ketchup. Tortang Talong with Crabmeat is even better because it has the good taste and texture of eggplant omelet plus…
Crab with Misua and Patola
Crab with Misua and Patola is a simple yet flavorful Filipino soup dish. This can be prepared using any type of edible crab, some Chinese vermicelli noodles (also called misua or miswa), and young loofah (or patola). The crab and fish sauce gives this dish its distinct taste. I am using blue crabs for this…
How to Cook Crab Legs
Crab legs are a wonderful delicacy for seafood-lovers. They are meaty enough to satisfy but light enough to have as a treat between meals. Crab legs are good sources of protein and minerals, which are essential for good health. There are several types to choose from, all of which can be cooked in a matter…
Crab and Pork Shumai Recipe (Siomai)
This Crab and Pork Shumai Recipe produce one of the best shumai or siomai that I have tried. Crab and pork seems to be a good combination when done the appropriate way. Before we move further, please let me clarify that shumai, siomai, and shaomai is one and the same. The difference in names (or…
Rellenong Alimasag Recipe (Stuffed Crab)
Rellenong Alimasag is the Filipino version of Stuffed Crabs. Crab meat is sauteed along with some vegetables, spices, and seasonings. The cooked mixture is later stuffed inside individual top shells of the crab, and fried in medium heat for a few minutes to complete the cooking process.
Ginataang Sitaw at Kalabasa with Crabs Recipe
Ginataang Sitaw at Kalabasa is a vegetable dish composed of Calabaza squash and string beans.
The vegetables are cooked in coconut milk or coconut cream. Different kinds of seafood — sometimes meat is used to cook this dish to add more flavor.
There are many different variations of Ginataang Sitaw at Kalabasa, but this one is my favorite — because of the crabs. I like this dish better with alimasag (blue crabs); the flavor of the crabs blends well with the vegetables and coconut milk.
Crispy Crablets Recipe
Crispy Crablets are seasoned small crabs that were dredged in cornstarch and deep-fried until crispy. These types of crabs are usually found in riverbanks while some are cultured in fish ponds. In some cases, these small crabs can be caught in rice fields.
This dish has become a popular appetizer among Filipinos. This is often eaten with a spicy vinegar dip; it goes well with beer or any alcoholic beverage.
Aligue Pasta
Did you know that majority of Filipino food enthusiasts love pasta? This did not come as a surprise to me. It is obvious. Pasta is being introduced to Filipinos starting on their first few years of existence. Remember the spaghetti that mom makes for your birthday? How about the baked macaroni or lasagna that she prepares every Sunday?
I am trying to feature pasta dishes with a Filipino touch since I started this blog. There were two Filipino inspired pasta dishes presented by far: Pinoy Spaghetti and Tuyo Pesto. Today’s feature will be number three on the list. It is called Aligue Pasta.
Stir Fried Crabs with Ginger and Scallions
Tired of the usual steamed crab recipes? Here is a crab recipe that you might be interested in: Stir Fried Crabs with Ginger and Scallions. This is a delicious Asian Crab recipe that you can apply to any crab variety and it only takes a few minutes to prepare.
The thing that I like about this recipe is its balance of flavors and enticing aroma. You see, Asian seasonings or any other seasoning for that matter can be overwhelming if more than enough is applied. In this case, the application of seasoning is just about right forming some sort of balance in taste.
Halabos na Alimasag Recipe
Care for some fresh crabs? These are the freshest crabs that I had since I learned to eat one. How fresh are these? Let’s just say that they were cooked immediately right after being harvested from the ocean. Sounds brutal, isn’t it? But cooking seafood right after being caught or harvested ensures you that you are having them on their freshest state.
The crabs were cooked in their own juice with the help of a little water and salt. This cooking method is called “Halabos” in Filipino. It is a simple cooking method wherein seafood such as crabs and shrimps are directly placed in an empty hot pan and cooked with their own juices. A little water and salt can also be added depending on your preference. Cooking these crabs using this method brought out its natural sweet taste that is often over powered by other ingredients.
Baked King Crab Legs with Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce
Baked King Crab Legs with Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce is a simple recipe that uses the legs of King Crabs or Stone Crabs. These variety of crabs are found in deep cold seas and are highly priced because of their size and the rich taste of their meat. There is a legal duration to fish for King Crabs (referred to as the crab-fishing months or the crab-fishing season) and currently this lasts for 2 to 4 weeks. Another factor that contributed to the high price of this type of crab is the extreme danger that the fishermen (or crabmen) faces in the cold deep seas. A real-life documentary was produced by Original Productions for the Discovery Channel called Deadliest catch which documents the events aboard fishing boats in the Bering Sea during the Alaskan king crab and Opilio crab fishing seasons.
This recipe is very easy to follow and does not require a lot of time. All you need are thawed pre-cooked King Crab Legs (groceries usually sell frozen pre-cooked crab legs to extend their shelf life), lemon, butter, EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil as Rachel Ray always say) and some 18 to 20 minutes of your time. We served this delicious meal during Christmas Dinner (Noche Buena) and it was a huge favorite.
Try this King Crab Legs with Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce recipe
California Roll Recipe
California Roll or California Maki is a sushi roll that is made inside out. Crabstick, avocado, and cucumber are placed in the center of the nori while the flattened sushi rice with sesame seeds is on the opposite part. This is then rolled using a bamboo mat and pressed to maintain the shape.
Though sushi is a traditional Japanese food, California Roll was first made in Los Angeles, California in the late 60’s and became popular from then on.
So why feature a foreign food? Well, Filipinos are very flexible people. We can adapt to anything easily and get used to it if done all the time. Same goes with our palate and food preferences, it ceases to be foreign once it becomes a part of us.
Try this California Roll recipe.
Chili Crab Recipe
Chili Crab is a seafood dish that originated from Singapore. This dish is composed of crab (Mud Crab is originally used) cooked in sweet and spicy sauce.
I had my first taste of this dish in the original dampa in Paranaque (a city in the Philippines). I found this to be real good and the three servings of rice can attest to that. Imagine the meaty claws of the alimango topped with sweet and spicy sauce …now that makes me really craving for more. Wouldn’t you want to try some or perhaps cook your own chili crab? If your answer is yes, then we have the solution right here.
Try this Chili Crab recipe.
Ginataang Alimasag Recipe
Ginataang Alimasag are Crabs cooked in Coconut Milk. This recipe features the use of spinach and Thai chili as a replacement for Malunggay. Squash and string beans (kalabasa and sitaw) can also be placed instead of Spinach (or Malunggay).
Before cooking this dish, please make sure that enough rice is available. You don’t want to wait for the additional rice to cook while you are in the middle of enjoying your meal :).
Try this delicious Filipino recipe : Ginataang Alimasag.