Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer

Stirring the pot, chef extraordinaire Brian HoSue was at it again this year with his exciting crab rundown and crab in black-bean sauce. - Photos by Janet Silvera

WESTERN BUREAU:

The whiff of the sea air, aroma of the fields and the fragrances from the cuisine intermingled, releasing the many flavours of Jamaica at Eric 'Busha' Clarke's crab party at Paradise Park, Savanna-la-Mar, in Westmoreland, last Saturday evening.

The crab party culinary team, led by 'crab chef' extraordinaire, Brian HoSue, created heaven on Earth with a lip-smacking carte du jour of crab in black-bean sauce, crab rundown, garlic, curried and boiled crab. With this delightful fare, there was mouth-watering spare ribs, conch, roasted and boiled corn.

Art of cooking

The art of cooking the eight- legged omnivores has been observed by the Clarke family since the 1950s.

Once again, Busha Clarke hit the jackpot, this time by serving over 200 dozen (2,400) black, blue and red female and male crabs. And it was not as if they (the crab) did not try to escape their inevitable fate by climbing up the sides of the buckets they were housed in, but any success was thwarted by anxious crustacean lovers who devoured them heartily.

As if that was not enough, Busha's creative juices inspired him to titillate the taste buds with Chinese sweets marinated in Tequila.

With tables laid beneath cotton trees and bonfires adding some romantic touches, the tradition lived on.

The hundreds of patrons who came from near and far for this annual ritual were more than satisfied with premium liquor, exciting fruit drinks and flavourful concoctions.

Add that to good music, laughter and great conversation, and the consensus is, Eric 'Busha' Clarke and his team did it again.

Brian HoSue's crab RunDown

Prepared as you would make mackerel run- down: Boil the coconut milk, then add pre-cooked chopped crab to pot 15 to 20 minutes later. Add seasoning of pepper, escallion, thyme, pimento and salt for taste. Cook for another 20 minutes.

Brian's crab in black-bean sauce

The crab is pre-cooked, then chopped into small pieces; add ginger and oil before stir frying for a few minutes. Then add sugar and black-bean sauce; stir until crab is fully marinated and tasty.

Crab in black-bean sauce at Busha's Crab Party

Boiled crab at Busha's Crab Party at the Paradise Park, in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, on Saturday night