BAHAMIAN CRAB N' RICE

Steps:

• Wash live crabs under the tap using a toothbrush to wash sand from under band and from between toes until completely clean.
• Turn crab with eyes away,upside down,slipping a blunt knife (a butter knife is ideal) between the shell's seam,push upward to seperate the crab's shell in two.
• Be careful not to push the knife too far (the gall sac is in the direct path of the knife!).
• Pull apart.
• Scoop the fat from both sides of the shell into a bowl using the knife or a spoon.
• Discard the empty half shell,band,mouth,gills and all other remaining internal organs,leaving behind the toes.
• Break the two segments in half by holding each half securely and snapping apart.
• This can also be done by chopping the segment with a cleaver.
• Wash the toe segments under the tap and put them in the bowl with the fat.
• This process is to be repeated until each crab is processed.
• Place a large pot over medium high heat, adding the vegetable/corn oil.
• Allow the oil to heat until a drop of water sizzles when dripped in the oil.
• Add onion,green pepper,salt,black pepper,seasoned salt,thyme,scotch bonnet and stir.
• Saute ingredients until onion is transparent, stirring constantly,about 3 to five minutes.
• Add crab fat and segments, saute, stirring constantly until fat is liquid, about 7 minutes.
• Add tomato paste, stir ingredients together for another 5 minutes.
• Add water.
• Stir ingredients with the water,taste, adjust salt to taste,bring to a slow simmer.
• Gently pour rice into pot, stirring slowly to ensure even distribution of the rice in the liquid.
• Turn heat down to low and cover pot with a tight-fitting lid to prevent steam from escaping. Foil can be used under the lid to prevent the steam escaping.
• Cook for about 20-25 minutes or until all of the liquid is absorbed.
• Do not lift lid while cooking.
• Turn heat off and let rice stand covered for 10-15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.
• Fluff and serve hot.