Brazilian recipe
Authentic Baked Crab Shells (Casquinha de siri)
Discover how to make classic Brazilian crab shells—a creamy, flavourful seafood appetiser featuring fresh crab meat, aromatic herbs and a golden finish.
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Ingredients
500g crab meat
20 clean crab shells (or ramekins)
2 medium onions, finely diced
2 ripe tomatoes, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 green capsicum, finely diced
125ml white vinegar
Black pepper to taste
Ground cumin to taste
Sea salt to taste
Extra virgin olive oil to taste
Grated Parmesan cheese for topping (optional)
20 clean crab shells (or ramekins)
2 medium onions, finely diced
2 ripe tomatoes, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 green capsicum, finely diced
125ml white vinegar
Black pepper to taste
Ground cumin to taste
Sea salt to taste
Extra virgin olive oil to taste
Grated Parmesan cheese for topping (optional)
Where to find ingredients
Fresh crab meat can be sourced from your local fishmonger or the seafood counter at supermarkets like Coles or Woolworths. If crab shells are unavailable, heatproof ceramic ramekins are an excellent substitute. Ensure you use a firm, ripe tomato and high-quality Australian-grown green capsicum for the best flavour base.
Preparation method
- Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large pan and sauté the diced onions until translucent.
- Stir in the minced garlic, black pepper and a pinch of cumin, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the white vinegar and allow it to simmer until the sharp acidity evaporates.
- Add the chopped tomatoes and diced green capsicum to the pan.
- Cook the mixture over medium heat until the tomatoes break down and the flavours meld together.
- Stir in 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil to enrich the base.
- Gently fold the crab meat into the vegetable mixture.
- Simmer for approximately 5 minutes, ensuring the meat is thoroughly heated and well-combined with the spices.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with sea salt as required.
- Spoon the crab mixture evenly into the prepared crab shells.
- Lightly sprinkle the top of each shell with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for 10-15 minutes, or until the topping is golden and bubbling.
Observations
Casquinha de siri is a beloved classic within Brazilian coastal cuisine, cherished for its rich, aromatic profile and velvety texture. By preparing fresh crab meat with a fragrant base of sautéed vegetables and finishing it under the grill, you create a sophisticated appetiser that captures the essence of fresh seafood.
Its straightforward preparation makes it an excellent choice for hosting, whether as a centrepiece at a dinner party or as a special treat for weekend entertaining. Using quality ingredients ensures a balanced result that highlights the delicate, sweet flavour of the crab, offering an authentic taste of the Brazilian seaside in every bite.
Its straightforward preparation makes it an excellent choice for hosting, whether as a centrepiece at a dinner party or as a special treat for weekend entertaining. Using quality ingredients ensures a balanced result that highlights the delicate, sweet flavour of the crab, offering an authentic taste of the Brazilian seaside in every bite.
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