Description
This Brazilian Dungeness Crab Stew is a flavorful and hearty dish featuring tender crab meat simmered in a rich coconut milk and tomato broth, accented with smoky paprika, cayenne, and fresh lime juice. Perfect for seafood lovers seeking a comforting stew with a tropical twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Crab
- 2 lbs Dungeness crab (cooked and cleaned, or live crab)
Stew Base
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup diced tomatoes (fresh or canned)
- 1 can (14 ounces) coconut milk
- 2 cups vegetable or seafood broth
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Garnish
- ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Lime wedges (for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare Crab: If using live Dungeness crab, clean and cook it in boiling water for 15-20 minutes until fully cooked, then let cool. Remove the meat from the shells and set aside. If using pre-cooked crab, remove the meat and set aside.
- Heat Olive Oil: In a large stew pot, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat to prepare for sautéing the vegetables.
- Sauté Aromatics and Peppers: Add the chopped onion to the heated oil and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Then add minced garlic, diced red bell pepper, and diced green bell pepper. Sauté for another 5-7 minutes until the peppers soften.
- Add Tomatoes: Stir in 1 cup of diced tomatoes and cook for 3-4 minutes to meld the flavors with the sautéed vegetables.
- Add Liquids: Pour in 2 cups of vegetable or seafood broth and 1 can (14 ounces) of coconut milk, stirring well to combine all ingredients.
- Season the Stew: Add 1 tablespoon lime juice, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust as desired for heat), plus salt and black pepper to taste. Stir thoroughly and bring the stew to a gentle simmer.
- Incorporate Crab Meat: Gently add the prepared crab meat into the pot, stirring carefully to combine without breaking the meat apart.
- Simmer: Cover the pot and let the stew simmer for 20-30 minutes to allow flavors to blend and intensify.
- Taste and Adjust Seasonings: After simmering, taste the stew and adjust salt, black pepper, or lime juice to your preference.
- Serve: Ladle the stew into bowls and garnish with freshly chopped cilantro. Serve with lime wedges for an extra zesty flavor enhancement.
Notes
- Live Dungeness crab provides the freshest flavor but pre-cooked crab is a convenient time-saver.
- You can adjust the cayenne pepper quantity according to your preferred spice level.
- This stew pairs well with crusty bread or steamed rice to soak up the flavorful broth.
- For a richer flavor, use seafood broth instead of vegetable broth if available.
- Be gentle when stirring crab meat to keep chunks intact for presentation and texture.
