Ingredients

  • 4 (1 to 1 1/2 pound) Dungeness crabs or 2 (2 pound) crabs, cooked, cleaned (reserve juices and tomalley)
  • Reserved tomalley
  • 1 teaspoon chili flakes
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
  • 5 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Reserved crab juices
  • 1 cup mayonnaise or aioli
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1/4 pound butter (1 stick)
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 5 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
  • 2 tablespoons lemon zest (about 4 to 5 lemons)
  • 4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons roughly chopped Italian flat-leaf parsley
  • Lemon slices or wedges, for garnish
  • 4 to 8 slices crusty bread, toasted, rubbed with garlic cloves and drizzled with olive oil

Method

  • Crack the crab reserving the juices and tomalley.
  • Set aside.
  • Make the tomalley sauce by pushing the tomalley through a sieve with a wooden spoon into a small pot.
  • Add the chili flakes, thyme, garlic, and lemon juice.
  • Mix in the reserved crab juices and bring to a quick simmer over low heat.
  • Give it a final quick stir and remove the pan from the heat.
  • Pour the tomalley mixture into a small mixing bowl and allow it to cool.
  • (Start roasting the crab once the tomalley sauce is cooling.)
  • As soon as the tomalley sauce feels lukewarm to the touch, add the mayonnaise or aioli along with the salt and pepper.
  • Taste and add more salt, pepper, or thyme, if you like.
  • Put a rack in the middle or lower third of the oven and preheat the oven to 500 degrees F.
  • On the stove, in a large oven-proof saute pan or casserole, heat the butter, olive oil, garlic, thyme, and lemon zest over medium-high heat until hot.
  • Add crab pieces and season with salt, pepper, to taste, and mix well.
  • Put the pan in the oven and cook until the crab is hot throughout and the garlic is golden brown.
  • (Watch carefully; the crab heats very quickly and at 500 degrees F the garlic can burn easily.)
  • Remove the crab from the oven, drizzle with 4 tablespoons of lemon juice and scatter the parsley over the top.
  • To serve, stack the crab on a platter and drizzle with the tomalley sauce or serve the tomalley sauce in a small bowl and allow your guests to help themselves.
  • Garnish the platter with lemon wedges and slices of garlic-rubbed toast.
  • Serve immediately.