Curried Crab and Coconut Soup

*While there aren't any dungeness crabs wandering around the Yukon, all residents can have a reciprocal fishing license with Alaska. And in season crabs are easy to find in Whitehorse.

CURRIED CRAB AND COCONUT SOUP

Serves 4

CRAB STOCK
Shells and bodies of 4 dungeness crabs
1 teaspoon black peppercorns
1 onion, halved
4 garlic cloves, crushed
1 carrot, quartered
Water, to cover

1. Combine crab bodies and shells, black peppercorns, onion, garlic and carrot in a large pot and cover with water. Bring t a simmer and cook for 90 minutes. Strain and allow to cool.

CURRIED COCONUT CRAB SOUP

*If you have a food processor combine the onion, chili, ginger, lemongrass, and cilantro in the processor and pulse until finely chopped. 

1 tablespoon coconut oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 thai bird chili, finely chopped
1, 2 inch piece of ginger, finely chopped
1 stalk lemongrass, finely chopped
1 small bunch cilantro, finely chopped
1 tablespoon curry powder
4 cups crab stock
1 can coconut milk
1 teaspoon fish sauce
Salt, to taste
Lime juice, to taste
Chopped cilantro, to garnish
Sliced scallions, to garnish

1. Heat coconut oil until shimmering in a large pot over medium high heat. Add onion, chili, ginger, lemongrass and cilantro and cook stirring often until the onion just begins to brown and everything is very aromatic. Add curry powder and continue to cook until curry powder begins to toast,a bout 5 minutes.
2. Add crab stock and bring to a simmer, cook for 45 minutes then strain. Place infused stock back in a clean pot and bring back to a simmer. Add coconut milk and fish sauce then season to taste with salt and lime juice then serve garnished with cilantro and lime juice.