Crab with Lemon Dressing

• 4 live cock crabs, weighing about 750 g/1½ lb each

Bring a pan of water, large enough to hold the 4 crabs with plenty of room, to the boil. Season the water with the salt, peppercorns, bay leaves and lemon. Add the crabs upside down–so the claws will not break off–and bring the water back to the boil. Boil for 5 minutes, turn off the heat and leave the crabs in the water for 15 minutes, then plunge them into cold water, drain and leave to get c