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Ginataang Alimasag

Ginataang Alimasag

Try this scrumptious crab dish in a spicy, creamy coconut sauce with long beans and calabasa. Ginataang Alimasag recipe is so easy to prepare yet packs big flavors. Best-enjoyed kamayan-style!

⏱ Prep: 0 min ⏱ Cook: 400 min

Ingredients

  • 6 blue crabs
  • 0 water for steaming
  • 1 tbsp canola oil
  • 1 onion, peeled and chopped
  • 5 clove garlic, peeled and minced
  • 1 thumb-size ginger, peeled and julienned
  • 4 piece Thai chili peppers
  • 1 tbsp fish sauce
  • 4 cup coconut milk
  • 1 small calabasa, peeled, seeded and cut into cubes
  • 1 bunch long beans
  • 1 cup coconut cream
  • 0 salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Under cold running water, wash crabs well. Scrub shells with a kitchen brush to rid of dirt and grime.

  2. In a steamer basket, arrange crabs belly side down and sprinkle with salt to taste. Place steamer basket in a pot filled with water. on medium heat, steam crabs for about 20 to 25 minutes or until color changes to orange. Remove from heat.

  3. Drop in the garlic, onion, ginger and sauté just until they soften.

  4. Add fish sauce and cook for about 1 to 2 minutes.

  5. Add coconut milk and simmer until reduced.

  6. Add calabasa and cook for about 3 to 5 minutes or until half-cooked.

  7. Add sitaw and cook for about 2 to 3 minutes.

  8. Add steamed crabs.

  9. Add coconut cream and chili peppers. Stir to combine.

  10. Keep cooking, regularly spooning sauce over crabs, for about 8 to 10 minutes or until sauce is thickened and vegetables are tender.

  11. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve it while it's hot.

  12. You can cut the crabs in halves to extend servings and make them easier to eat.

  13. If you don’t have a steamer, boil the crabs instead. Place them upside-down in the boiling water, and depending on size, cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until they begin to float and change color. Drain it well.

  14. Slice the vegetables in uniform sizes for even cooking.

  15. Do not allow the coconut milk to boil, as it will cause it to separate and curdle.