Crab Avocado Duet Recipes

CRAB AND AVOCADO SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add the haricots verts and cook until crisp-tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain and run under cold water to stop the cooking.
• Puree the yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, chives, basil and anchovies in a blender until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
• Toss the crabmeat, half of the avocado and about 1 tablespoon of the yogurt dressing in a small bowl. Toss the romaine, croutons, haricots verts and the remaining avocado with the remaining dressing in a large bowl.
• Divide the romaine salad among plates, top with the tomatoes and place some of the crab mixture in the center.

CRAB AND AVOCADO CROSTINI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Slice the bread into 1/2-inch thick slices. Lightly brush the bread slices with the 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Arrange the bread on a baking sheet fitted with a rack and bake until lightly toasted, about 8 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool before topping with the crab mixture.
• In a large bowl whisk together the lemon juice, 1/4 cup of olive oil and salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside.
• Add the yellow pepper, the avocado, shallot and the crabmeat to the lemon vinaigrette and toss gently, so as to not break up the crabmeat. Top the bread slices with about a tablespoon of the crab mixture and arrange on a serving platter.

AVOCADO CRAB BOATS

Steps:

• Preheat broiler. Place 2 avocado halves in a large bowl; mash lightly with a fork. Add mayonnaise and lemon juice; mix until well blended. Stir in crab, 3 tablespoons cilantro, chives, serrano pepper, capers and pepper. Spoon into remaining avocado halves., Transfer to a 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Sprinkle with cheese and paprika. Broil 4-5 in. from heat until cheese is melted, 3-5 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining cilantro; serve with lemon wedges.

CRAB AND AVOCADO "SANDWICHES" WITH MANGO COULIS

Steps:

• In a 10 inch saute pan, heat 1 cup canola oil on high heat. Test readiness with a piece of bread. Turn heat to medium. Check temperature with thermometer - it should read 375 degrees F. In a medium mixing bowl, combine crab, onion, scallions, bell pepper, mayonnaise, Tabasco, 1/4 cup of the breadcrumbs, lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce. Mix until fully incorporated. Make 3 ounce cakes and dredge in the flour, then egg and the remaining breadcrumbs. Lay the cakes in the oil and pan-fry for 5 to 6 minutes. Remove and place on a paper towel and season with salt in a mixing bowl.
• In a medium mixing bowl, combine all ingredients. Mix well and refrigerate until ready to use.
• In a blender combine ingredients and mix until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• To serve crab cakes, spoon puree onto the plate in a small pool. Slice the cake in half and lay the bottom portion in the puree. Spoon avocado salsa on top and place the top of the cake on the avocado like a sandwich. Top with a small amount of avocado and garnish with cilantro leaf.

SUMAC COUSCOUS SALAD WITH DUNGENESS CRAB AND CALIFORNIA AVOCADO

Steps:

• Place the lemon juice, garlic, shallots, salt and pepper in a medium bowl, whisk to combine. Add olive oil in a steady stream while whisking to emulsify vinaigrette. Finish seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
• Place couscous in a large bowl. Combine water, harissa, parsley, cilantro, salt and pepper in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Pour the spiced, boiled water over the couscous and cover with saran wrap for 20 minutes. Fluff couscous with a fork.
• Toss the crab, avocado, sumac, peppers, Serrano chili, couscous, and 1/2 cup lemon vinaigrette in a large bowl and season with salt and pepper to taste.
• In a separate bowl, toss the watercress and julienned tomatoes with a 1/2 cup of the lemon vinaigrette.
• Place 1/2 cup Sumac Couscous Salad in the center of a plate. Mound about 1/3 cup of the watercress mixture on top of the couscous. Serve immediately.

CRAB & AVOCADO DUET

Steps:

• Pit and peel the avocado and cut it into 1/2-inch chunks. In a small bowl toss the avocado chunks gently with 1 tablespoon of the lemon juice and season with salt to taste. In a medium bowl, whisk together remaining lemon juice, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, pinch of white pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Add crabmeat and toss.
• Stand an empty 15-ounce can with both top and bottom removed on a serving plate. Scoop a quarter of the avocado into the can. Place 1/4 of the crabmeat on top and press down gently into the mold. Gently pull the can off the avocado and crab mixture. Garnish with a half teaspoon of chives. Repeat with the remaining 3 servings and serve.