Baked King Crab

INGREDIENTS:

2 lbs of King crab legs, thawed if frozen

1/2 cup unsalted butter

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 lemon, juiced and zested

2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a spicy kick)

Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Lemon wedges, for serving

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This temperature is ideal for baking crab legs without drying them out.

Prepare the Crab Legs: If your crab legs are whole, you might need to cut them into smaller, more manageable pieces. Use kitchen scissors to cut the shell and expose the crab meat slightly. This will allow the flavors of your butter mixture to seep into the meat.

Make the Butter Mixture: In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute or until fragrant but not browned. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the lemon juice, lemon zest, chopped parsley, and red pepper flakes (if using). Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Prepare for Baking: Arrange the crab legs in a single layer in a large baking dish. Drizzle the butter mixture evenly over the crab legs, making sure some of it gets into the shells to the meat …