tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543389752792247888.post6891527233934707292..comments2023-04-16T10:39:30.884-04:00Comments on French Laundry at Home: Chesapeake Bay Soft-shell Crab "Sandwich"Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543389752792247888.post-65492902158364408522009-05-25T02:06:20.492-04:002009-05-25T02:06:20.492-04:00Oh man, I deep fried some soft shell crabs this we...Oh man, I deep fried some soft shell crabs this weekend, and I experienced the whole face-cutting-writhing thing too!<br /><br />I read in Harold McGee's On Food and Cooking that you can anesthetize crustaceans in salted ice water for 30 min before cutting them, so I tried that. What a relief--no twitching, no movement. Maybe the ice water killed them, but hey, I'd rather have that then have crabs moving around while I'm cutting them up!Jasonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10600431357069530783noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543389752792247888.post-78986852822223704422008-05-04T12:19:00.000-04:002008-05-04T12:19:00.000-04:00Fine writing throughout your blog, which I found t...Fine writing throughout your blog, which I found through Annie's New York Eats, where she praises you highly. Your description of de-facing the crabs mirrors how I felt about dispatching a lobster, for the first and last time, years ago. The guilt stayed with me for days, and honestly I don't enjoy eating lobster as much as I used to. I suppose if we all had to kill our food on a regular basis, we'd either turn vegetarian or dissociative...Carol L. Skolnickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17188135050692219250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543389752792247888.post-23021687098035058402008-02-15T14:00:00.000-05:002008-02-15T14:00:00.000-05:00oh my! my friend just sent me a link to your blog...oh my! my friend just sent me a link to your blog-- because we have both spent many an hour drooling over the french laundry cookbook, without, as far as I can remember, ever trying to make anything inside. <BR/><BR/>i'm not quite sure how I managed to wind up here, but this? is absolutely hilarious. I achieved my obnoxious-laughing-in-public quota for the week just on this post!<BR/><BR/>thanks.<BR/>and... i love soft shells...those looked fantastic.Juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16486551071451269870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543389752792247888.post-15403991494689257932008-01-26T16:38:00.000-05:002008-01-26T16:38:00.000-05:00HAHAHAHA...It was the same when I had to kill some...HAHAHAHA...<BR/><BR/>It was the same when I had to kill some lobsters. ;D<BR/><BR/>Basically shrieking like a girl the whole time. Aaaaaaaaa! Eiiiiiii! Aaayyy! Eiiiyaaaaa!<BR/><BR/>I think it really was all the wriggling!! Those stupid lobster tails kept wriggling like it was doing the buttterfly and those mini-legs kept twitching and twitching and twitching.<BR/><BR/>Eeeiiiiiiyyyaaayyyiiiiee!<BR/><BR/>Tiffanie<BR/>Jan 2008Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543389752792247888.post-54913935930765903862007-10-14T19:38:00.000-04:002007-10-14T19:38:00.000-04:00I sympathize with your trauma over face-snipping w...I sympathize with your trauma over face-snipping with scissors. My cousin, who has crab pots in Puget Sound, has a quick and efficient murder method. Wearing gloves, he grasps the wriggling beasts by the claws on both sides. He then cracks the body belly down over an upright shovel blade set in the sand. He rinses the halves in the surf and tosses them in a bucket on the beach to await further prep.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543389752792247888.post-33613084818595712372007-09-22T13:28:00.000-04:002007-09-22T13:28:00.000-04:00I saw an ad at a local restaurant for SS crabs and...I saw an ad at a local restaurant for SS crabs and thought to try them our tonight. I live on the Hudson river and I am constantly seeing crab fishers pulling 'em up by the dozen. After reading your adventures I think I'll stick to less horrific meals. Do zuchinis twitch?Duncanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15752353053413964254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543389752792247888.post-5361262589155789742007-09-03T19:33:00.000-04:002007-09-03T19:33:00.000-04:00Too funny--I was reading this entry, then went to ...Too funny--I was reading this entry, then went to Wikipedia to read some more about soft shell crabs. They're intriguing, right? At the end of the entry, Wiki has a link to a cook preparing them. I clicked on it and ended up right back here. You're famous!Alisonianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09462834153432320618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543389752792247888.post-12199344824446513452007-08-19T21:29:00.000-04:002007-08-19T21:29:00.000-04:00Great site! The Soft Crab sandwich is a great idea...Great site! The Soft Crab sandwich is a great idea! Blue Crabs make great crab cake as well. We recently featured a few recipes using Blue Crabs and Dungeness Crabs. If you would like to check them out visit our site at http://www.crabcakeguy.com <BR/>We are sure you will enjoy them. <BR/><BR/>-The Crab Cake GuyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543389752792247888.post-16746554882409102122007-07-27T15:46:00.000-04:002007-07-27T15:46:00.000-04:00I know that lobsters still twitch after they're de...I know that lobsters still twitch after they're dead in the water, but yeech. I bought some soft shell crabs yesterday at The Lobster Place, a fantastic seafood market in New York. I asked for them cleaned and watched them attack the things with the scissors... I had no idea "cleaning" meant "guillotining" in seafood speak, and found it difficult to just WATCH, let alone DO. I am in mucho admiration that you did it yourself.Meghan Valeriohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13781877851357672652noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543389752792247888.post-62659349528783945922007-07-23T13:00:00.000-04:002007-07-23T13:00:00.000-04:00Of course it was Johnny Cash..."You cooked a crab ...Of course it was Johnny Cash...<BR/>"You cooked a crab in Reno, just to watch him die..."<BR/><BR/>:-PDenisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14221302607468431543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543389752792247888.post-29012370093107436742007-07-20T14:36:00.000-04:002007-07-20T14:36:00.000-04:00Love your blog! You should have made a crab stock...Love your blog! You should have made a crab stock with those crab legs! Freeze it for gumbo. Yum!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543389752792247888.post-81291304469252561122007-07-19T21:13:00.000-04:002007-07-19T21:13:00.000-04:00I always buy my softshells pre-cleaned (at our mar...I always buy my softshells pre-cleaned (at our market in Bmore), but ironically last week I asked my fish guy to show me how to do it. He'd just gotten in a big bunch and happily demonstrated "now you cut off the eyes." I was mortified. They were still twitching when I went to fry them several hours later.<BR/>But cutting off the legs? That's just wrong! Soft shells are best enjoyed whole. I adore them, pan fried and eaten with knife and fork. I was so glad to read this and hear someone else share the trauma. Next time get your fish guy to do the prep!Mercedeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00097330009175643958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543389752792247888.post-60667987296366181002007-07-19T12:35:00.000-04:002007-07-19T12:35:00.000-04:00Just discovered your blog-- I love it! Hilarious....Just discovered your blog-- I love it! Hilarious. I'm a big fan of soft-shells but I don't know if I could go through the de-facing process...<BR/><BR/>When we cook lobsters we refer to whoever has to put them in the water as "Team Murder." You were way past that, onto "Team Maim and Dismember!" Makes me think of the time my Dad cut up a whole live lobster for Lobster Cantonese-- it kept moving around too. Gave all of us the shivers and we vowed to never cook that dish at home again!<BR/><BR/>Great post!Xanihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04173303638971447673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543389752792247888.post-34275741736432504602007-07-19T09:29:00.000-04:002007-07-19T09:29:00.000-04:00I just happened on your blog recently and now I am...I just happened on your blog recently and now I am addicted. I actually love EATING soft-shelled crab but uh...yeah....<BR/><BR/>For all of us that admire Thomas Keller but don't have the energy to attempt these recipes, you are a true inspiration!stefhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04743716011273416940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543389752792247888.post-840885162458620612007-07-18T18:10:00.000-04:002007-07-18T18:10:00.000-04:00Thank you for doing this so I will never, ever hav...Thank you for doing this so I will never, ever have to.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543389752792247888.post-91991278478513842452007-07-18T17:46:00.000-04:002007-07-18T17:46:00.000-04:00Here's the SF Chron article about microwaving crus...Here's the SF Chron article about microwaving crustaceans. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/02/04/FDGQQ4LSV01.DTL&type=food. I just wonder how many others had similar cowering experiences. BTW I DO have a new microwave!Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00666941544429782462noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543389752792247888.post-25034484244149014052007-07-18T12:42:00.000-04:002007-07-18T12:42:00.000-04:00I commend your bravery! I will never never do this...I commend your bravery! I will never never do this though.mary grimmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04294368835776483342noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543389752792247888.post-41469079629975517502007-07-18T10:55:00.000-04:002007-07-18T10:55:00.000-04:00Holy crackpipes, Batman -- 23 comments already?!!?...Holy crackpipes, Batman -- 23 comments already?!!? Wow. Thanks everyone for the kind words.<BR/><BR/>And, MetaBute -- you actually microwaved dungeness crabs? The clacking of their claws would've sent me over the edge. I would have had to throw away my microwave after that.<BR/><BR/>After making these crabs, doing the pig's head and whole lamb will be easy. Who woulda thunk it?!Carol Blymirehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08573307850587096182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543389752792247888.post-35573647422898704722007-07-17T10:32:00.000-04:002007-07-17T10:32:00.000-04:00Yuck. Beats my cleaning cow's brains when I was a...Yuck. Beats my cleaning cow's brains when I was a kid for soup. Yuck yuck. You are to be commended for going through with this. Did I say yuck?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543389752792247888.post-59891332221193606042007-07-17T01:57:00.000-04:002007-07-17T01:57:00.000-04:00Wow! Ick! You're a brave woman.When I was 14 my da...Wow! Ick! You're a brave woman.<BR/><BR/>When I was 14 my dad took me to the New Your Stock Exchange dining room and suggested I order soft shell crabs. I didn't realize they'd be <I>whole</I>, and when they arrived, I tried to eat them but just couldn't.<BR/><BR/>He let me order something else and I've never tried them again.<BR/><BR/>Your dedication is amazing.Kitthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16673726727402668186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543389752792247888.post-19677775433536126652007-07-16T22:39:00.000-04:002007-07-16T22:39:00.000-04:00my dad is taking me to french laundry in october, ...my dad is taking me to french laundry in october, for the first time, to celebrate his retirement. i'm so glad i just discovered your blog - it will be a great appetizer for us prior to our grand debut there!sarahsouthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10691702835259335593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543389752792247888.post-62318205071635048602007-07-16T21:33:00.000-04:002007-07-16T21:33:00.000-04:00How brave to snip off the faces. You should have ...How brave to snip off the faces. You should have a merit badge.<BR/><BR/>I read this entry when I got home from Yountville. (Yes, that Yountville. 32 miles from home and I’ve only eaten at FL twice and long ago at that). Oh, Gawd I too would be screaming while defacing those crabs. Reminds me of fixing Dungeness crab a couple of years ago. The SF Chronicle food section had a comparison of steamed vs. boiled vs. microwaved crab. They claimed microwaving worked well and intensified the flavor with less fuss and I was sooooo tired of the vats of water, so, sure, I was game. <BR/><BR/> The technique involved stuffing the crabs into an oven bag (novelty in itself) and then into the microwave. They didn’t go quietly into the bags. That should have been the first hint that I might have had it wrong. When I turned on the microwave in addition to the usual hum was this arrhythmic scuffling sound on the metal turntable. It didn’t stop right away. I found myself cowering in my minute pantry. Then I closed the pantry doors. Then I put my fingers in my ears. I was shaking when I ripped them out of the microwave and into the sink full of ice. I don’t even remember if they tasted better (they were destined for chowder or some such). Of course I should have dispatched them with a quick jab before even venturing near the oven bag. Now I never complain about large vats of water and crab-steamy kitchens and I have no reservations about using tongs to fling them into the vat.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00666941544429782462noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543389752792247888.post-40448235579820445662007-07-16T15:35:00.000-04:002007-07-16T15:35:00.000-04:00Kudos to you, ma'am.I tried a soft shelled crab sa...Kudos to you, ma'am.<BR/><BR/>I tried a soft shelled crab sandwich last fall in New Orleans. I wasn't a fan.<BR/><BR/>That fact was only solidified with the description of the process.<BR/><BR/>But still, kudos to you.Darceyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09580119434104961289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543389752792247888.post-83107162790679209482007-07-16T15:22:00.000-04:002007-07-16T15:22:00.000-04:00I just came upon your blog and this was a very...i...I just came upon your blog and this was a very...interesting first post to read. You managed to gross me out, but entertain me at the same time, and make at dish that looked amazing. Your project has me very interested. So I've bought the book and will try out a few of the recipes, but this will definitley not be one of the. <BR/><BR/>You're definitely braver than I am!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543389752792247888.post-51416637692576517662007-07-16T13:57:00.000-04:002007-07-16T13:57:00.000-04:00I am in awe that you cooked this dish, I have yet ...I am in awe that you cooked this dish, I have yet to read that recipe in the book, but I have seen soft shell crab sandwiches and they did nothing for me.<BR/><BR/>As always very entertaining post and I'm sorry it grosed you out, but made for a great read :)Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09933366632869606653noreply@blogger.com