Akotonshi (stuffed crabs)

6 Servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
1teaspoonSalt
1Inch fresh ginger root
6Whole cloves
4tablespoonsVegetable oil
1smallOnion -- minced
1teaspoonGround ginger
2Tomatoes -- finely chopped
1tablespoonTomato paste
2Bell peppers -- finely
Chopped
pinchPaprika
1teaspoonCayenne pepper
1tablespoonDried shrimp -- from
Oriental shop
½cupBread crumbs -- whole wheat
1Egg -- hard Boiled chopped
1Sprig parsley
2poundsCrab meat

Directions

[I think this recipe assumes raw crabmeat to start; refer to instructions below about boiling crab meat and alter technique if using pre-cooked crab meat, perhaps by just boiling some ginger and cloves in small amount of water and adding a bit to flavor crab. -- cmt]

Put crab meat in boiling salted water along with ginger piece and cloves. Cook about 15 minutes, until meat is tender enough to flake with a fork. Drain, flake and set aside.

In a heavy pot, heat oil to a moderate temperature and add other ingredients in the following sequence, stirring for a minute or so between each: onions, ground ginger, tomatoes, tomato paste, green pepper, paprika, cayenne, and dried shrimp. Reduce heat and simmer for 4-5 minutes, stirring constantly, until vegetables are cooked.

Add crab meat and stir another couple of minutes to heat it through.

Then spoon the mixture into clean crab shells or ramekins (small individual baking dishes).

Sprinkle bread crumbs on top of each crab and toast under an oven broiler, being careful not to let the crumbs scorch. Garnish with egg and parsley.

Recipe By : African News Cookbook-African Cooking for Western Kitchens

From: Ladies Home Journal- August 1991