Crab claws (Knieper) Heligoland style

Ingredients for 4 servings:

• 4 kg crabs (edible crabs, the complete claws)
• lots of salt water
• 300 ml Miracle Whip
• 250 g yogurt
• 3 tbsp tomato ketchup
• 4 tbsp brandy, if desired
• 1 pinch of salt
• pepper
• chili flakes

Instructions

Working time approx. 1 hour; Cooking/baking time approx. 10 minutes; Total time approx. 1 hour 10 minutes

On Heligoland, the arms with the claws of the edible crab are called “kneepers.” Inland, they can be ordered from a well-stocked fishmonger.

Allow approximately 1 kg of knive per person. Before cooking, scrub the claws vigorously under cold running water using a root brush/nail brush or similar, as they often have a bit of silt on them. After washing, place them in a large pot containing plenty of gently bubbling salted water and simmer for 10–15 minutes, depending on the size of the claws. Skim off any egg white that runs out. Let them steep in hot water for another two or three minutes, then refresh with cold water. Once cooled, break the claws off the two joints. Wear work gloves when doing this, as the shell is very sharp. Arrange the two joints nicely on a platter. The claws must be pre-cracked! Simply cracking them open like an egg is unfortunately not enough here. Use the back of a heavy kitchen knife to hit the shell once lengthwise and once crosswise, from above only, until it breaks. The pictures clearly show what a pre-cracked pair of claws looks like. Cocktail sauce or aioli are good sauces. For my cocktail sauce, I vigorously mix 300 ml of Miracle Whip with 250 g of yogurt. The mixture should form a creamy consistency. Then add 3 tablespoons of tomato ketchup and 4 tablespoons of brandy or cognac. If you don’t want alcohol, you can of course omit it. Season to taste with pepper, salt, and chili flakes, depending on your preference. To eat, scoop the meat out of the hind limbs using a lobster fork or similar tool. Mix it with the meat from the tongs and a little cocktail sauce or aioli. Serve with freshly toasted white bread or buttered toast.