Stuffed Crab Shells - Casquinha de Siri

Stuffed crab shells or "Casquinha de siri" is a Brazilian appetizer made with sautéed crab meat, coconut milk, palm oil, tomatoes, bell peppers, parmesan cheese and bread crumbs. You bake them in scallop or crab shells, either molds made of silicone or real ones, and then sprinkle lime juice on top. These taste even better if served with cold beer and preferably on the beach!

• If you are strict vegetarian, try using shredded cabbage instead of crab meat.
  

An this recipe goes to the Leftover Queen forum! This month we had to use an ingredient from the sea, coconut and lime or lemon.

Ingredients:
1 pound (500 g) crab meat, drained
1 small onion, cubed
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 green bell pepper, seeded and cubed
1 red bell pepper, seeded and cubed
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon canola oil
2 tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
1/2 tablespoon palm oil
1 cup coconut milk
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste

Bread crumbs
Grated Parmesan cheese
Crab or scallop shells
Lime wedges

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (180°) or use the broiler inside the oven.

1) In a skillet, heat olive oil and sauté onions, garlic and bell peppers until soft. Stir in crab meat and cook 3-5 minutes. Add tomatoes and simmer for about 5 minutes.

2) Add coconut milk, salt, pepper and palm oil, cooking about 3-5 minutes. Stir in parsley. Remove from heat.

3) Fill the shells with the crab mixture and top with bread crumbs mixed with Parmesan cheese. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until lightly brown. Sprinkle lime juice when serving.

Bom apetite!