King Crab Legs With Spicy Garlic-Tomato Sauce
King Crab Legs with Spicy Garlic-Tomato Sauce
By Chadwick Boyd
PHOTO BY BROOKE SLEZAK
Don't Be Intimidated by King Crab (Just Grab a Cookie Sheet)
The dramatic presentation of these king crab legs make them perfect for a big celebration. King crab legs look intimidating, but when baked on a cookie sheet, they are quite easy to prepare. For a big flavor twist, I add tomato and lots of Old Bay seasoning. To serve, I just plop the baking sheet right on the table along with some crusty bread and let everyone dig in.
Chadwick’s Checklist
What you need to know before you cook.
- Feel free to purchase crab legs pre-steamed. Just bake in the oven with the sauce so all is well seasoned and heated through.
- You'll need a large rimmed baking sheet and a large sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil to steam crab legs.
- Make sure crab legs are cracked (If you don't have a seafood cracker, you can break shells with a meat mallet).
SERVING SIZE: 3 PREP TIME: 10 mins TOTAL TIME: 40 mins
Ingredients
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
5 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1/4 teaspoon crushed red chile flakes
1 28 oz. can of whole peeled tomatoes
2-3 pounds frozen or partially frozen Alaskan King crab legs, cracked**
Olive oil cooking spray
1/3 cup Old Bay seasoning
¼ cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F
Place oil, garlic, chile flakes and tomatoes in a large skillet. Using a wooden spoon, carefully smash the tomatoes to break them into pieces and stir. Bring to a bubble on medium high heat and then simmer on medium for 8-10 minutes.
Meanwhile, place the crab legs on a large, rimmed baking sheet. Spray both sides evenly with the cooking spray. Sprinkle on the Old Bay to fully coat.
Pour the tomato mixture over the crab legs. Cover with heavy duty aluminum foil, making sure to seal the sides tightly. Using a paring knife, poke a few holes in the foil to vent the steam.
Place the crab legs on the middle rack in the oven and bake for 18-20 minutes.
Remove the foil and let cool slightly for a few minutes. Finish with the fresh parsley. Serve directly on the baking sheet with crusty bread.
**NOTE: If crab legs are already steamed, bake in the oven for 8-10 minutes, just to heat through and let the tomato juices cook into the crab.
Chadwick’s Changeups
Switch things up. Have some fun! Do more.
- This oven steaming method also works well with shrimp and lobster.
Copyright © 2020 Lovely & Delicious Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
