Ginataang Alimasag (Crabs in Coconut Milk)

Filipino - World Cuisine

Growing up in the Philippines, my dad would catch a lot of crab, and this was my favorite dish he'd make with it. It's a cross between a sauce and a stew, curry-like in texture and rich with flavors of the sea; think coconut milk, fish sauce, and shrimp paste, cut with the sharpness of ginger and scallions. Enjoy with freshly steamed white rice.

Ginataang Alimasag Crabs in Coconut Milk

Brief

Prep 25 mins

Cook: 45 mins

Total: 1hr10 mins

Servings: 8

Yield: 8 servings

Ginataang Alimasag (Crabs in Coconut Milk)

Ingredients

2 whole Dungeness crabs

½ cup garlic oil

½ cup sliced garlic

1 yellow onion

sliced

1 cup thinly sliced ginger rounds

with skin on

½ cup bias-sliced scallions

whites only

kosher salt and ground black pepper to taste

1 tablespoon fish sauce

1 (8.75 ounce) jar sauteed shrimp paste (such as Kamayan)

5 Thai chiles

sliced into thin rings

1 ½ quarts coconut milk

½ quart water

or more as needed

1 bunch fresh spinach

½ cup bias-sliced scallions

greens only

Chicken Adobo I

World Cuisine

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Drop crabs in and cook until shells turn bright red 8 to 10 minutes. Plunge crabs into ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

Heat a large wok over medium-high heat and add garlic oil. Stir in garlic and cook until lightly toasted and golden brown 2 to 3 minutes. Add onion and ginger and saute until onion is translucent 4 to 5 minutes. Add scallion whites. Season with a few pinches of salt and pepper.

Step 3

Add fish sauce and let infuse for 1 minute. Stir in shrimp paste and toast for about 3 minutes. Add Thai chiles; saute for 1 minute more. Pour in coconut milk and water. Bring to a simmer and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook until sauce is thickened about 10 minutes adding more water if too dry.

Step 4

Meanwhile break open the crab. Add to the sauce along with any accumulated juices. Simmer until flavors meld 8 to 10 minutes more. Season with salt and pepper. Toss in spinach and let wilt. Garnish with scallion greens.

Nutritional Information

Ginataang Alimasag (Crabs in Coconut Milk)

Servings Per Recipe:8

Calories: 566.2

% Daily Value *

Protein: 12.7g 25%

Carbohydrates: 19.3g 6%

Dietary Fiber: 4.2g 17%

Sugars: 2.2g

Fat: 52.2g 80%

Saturated Fat: 35g 175%

Cholesterol: 23mg 8%

Vitamin A Iu: 4164.4IU 83%

Niacin Equivalents: 3.8mg 29%

Vitamin B6: 0.4mg 24%

Vitamin C: 29.4mg 49%

Folate: 129mcg 32%

Calcium: 129.3mg 13%

Iron: 7.7mg 43%

Magnesium: 152.5mg 55%

Potassium: 920mg 26%

Sodium: 308.9mg 12%

Thiamin: 0.1mg 12%

Calories From Fat: 469.4

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

**Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-)Nutrition information is provided for reference only. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.