Ingredients

Makes 12 servings

　　1/2 cup salt

　　1/2 cup sugar

　　1/2 cup Creole spice

　　1/4 cup lemon juice

　　4 bay leaves

　　1 tablespoon ground coriander

　　1 tablespoon black peppercorns

　　1 spring fresh thyme

　　1 onion, halved

　　1 head garlic, halved horizontally

　　12 live jumbo blue crabs

　　

Step 1

1. Add all the ingredients but the crabs to a large stockpot. Cover with water (about 1 gallon) and bring to a boil.

　　

Step 2

2. Add half the crabs and turn off the heat. Let steep for 5 minutes.

　　

Step 3

3. Remove the crabs from the pot and set aside until cool enough to handle.

　　

Step 4

4. Bring the water back to a boil and repeat steps 2 and 3 with the remaining crabs.

　　

Step 5

5. Serve with boiled corn, potatoes, andouille sausage, and prawns or shrimp (if desired).