Day 98 ... Crabby Spaghetti

CRABBY SPAGHETTI :D

This evening, my mother brings over some crabs she bought at the Pasar Malam (Night Market). I am taken aback when I find the crabs still moving about and very much alive in the paper bag. It was all very - geli - seeing the crabs still moving about, probably trying to escape. 

Plenty of squealing and panic response (obviously not from Bryan) as Bryan empties the paper bag contents on to the sink, the crabs dropping out, one by one. This is obviously not a job for the faint-hearted. Seeing those large creepy crawlies in my kitchen sink made me shudder. Physically.

I am noticing a gangster-crab, the largest one, that is facing Bryan fearlessly. Not moving, very still, confronting his attacker bravely despite having both claws tied up very securely. Bryan tries to flip it over several times but it seems to remain quite firmly centered on its balance. A battle of wits pursued between man and crab, as Bryan tried to flip it over and Mr Claw resisting with all its might.

1. Kill The Crabs

Yup, the first step is to grab your weapon and kill the crab. I'm sorry but I doubt if there is a peaceful way of saying this. You tell me. We can't possibly say, our crab is going to heaven, can we? Or our crab is going to be an angel. Holy crab! That would be weird. Put the crab to sleep, maybe? Absurd. I want to be careful here and say the right thing, so I'm gonna ask Bryan.

He says, "Just say, KILL THE CRAB." Oh, okay ...

So anyway, Bryan defeats the crab when he finally manages to flip the crab over. He focuses the tip of the knife right at THAT point, at the center, at the heart of the crab. With determined force, he plunges the sharp knife into the crab and holds the knife in place for several seconds until there is no more movement. My husband, the uhhh, crab murderer.

When the crab stops struggling, he brings the knife right down, cutting through the flap. He mercilessly handles the other 4 crabs, probably shivering in their shells, in the same horrifying way. He cuts the strings loose. Crab legs are still moving in the air. Spasms detected. More shudders.

OMG, THAT one's still alive!!! I almost dropped the camera in my haste to scurry out of the kitchen. It does not help that Bryan says, "It's not gonna chase You..."

A few minutes later, I peer into the kitchen. Bryan is now giving the crabs a refreshing water spa treatment. Scrubbing and exfoliating the crabs clean with a kitchen massage brush and making doubly sure that all impurities are removed and extracted. 

Okay, the coast is clear. It's safe to come back in. I watch in fascination as he pries open the shell. He removes all that is unwanted, the gills and the what-evers that can't be eaten, and chucks them into the trash bin.

2. The Crab Ingredients

Cooking the crabs is fairly easy. 
It is the killing part that is 
traumatically challenging. 
If you can get through that, 
preparing this crab dish is a breeze.

Get a large deep pot. 

Saute garlic, onions, ginger and cili padi (chop finely)

in sesame seed oil.

Add the crabs. 

Add a bunch of mint leaves and spring onions.

Tomatoes (roughly chopped) and carrots (strips).

Seasalt and pepper. Lemon juice. Water.

Close lid and allow the crabs to sauna-cook at low heat. 

Before adding the crabs into the pot, Bryan whacks, hammers and cracks the hard claws with the back of a heavy cleaver. This sure sounds like a violent dish, huh. Don't worry, it's all good ... :D

3. Boil The Pasta

in salted water until al dente. Drain. 

Toss and mix with butter and extra virgin olive oil.

Leave it in the serving dish.

The crabs should be ready in 15 minutes or so. Beat 2 eggs and add that in to get a nicer texture to the gravy. Toss and stir. Transfer the crabs to the serving dish, and place them on top of the pasta. Scoop the remaining contents over. Ooh, the sight and the aroma of the orange-tanned crabs are just amazing! :D

Ta-Dahhh ...

What a fantabulous sight to behold!

This is my plate. :D

My mother could not stop commenting after every mouthful, that, It's delicious, It's very good, It's better than the restaurants, Never seen people serving crabs in this manner, We have to do this every Friday etc. :D

Show us your Claws.

The spaghetti noodles are very tasty and 

coated with so much wonderful flavor.

Half-way through dinner ...

My sister Carol, Hmmm-Mmmm-ing away happily ...

Justine is thoroughly enjoying her dinner tonight,
exclaiming, OMG, It's Yummy!!! during intervals.
The flesh is heavenly, sweet, tender and 

Oh-so-very-Yummy! Slurppp!!!

Oh my, I love the spaghetti noodles ...

Bryan's creation. :D

Today, I had my one shake of The Green Drink, 

pan mee (flour) noodles for lunch and crabs for dinner.

To Sum Up

1 shake & 2 meals

Juice. Fruit. Mooncake. Water. Milk Tea.

Time of Posting : 12:41 pm (Saturday)