Crab With Crisp Bitter Greens Recipes

CRAB WITH CRISP BITTER GREENS

Steps:

• Separate the endive leaves, then slice them lengthwise as thinly as you can. Soak the sliced endive in a big bowl of ice water. Meanwhile, remove the outer leaves of the chicory and reserve for another use. Wash four big handfuls of the tender inner chicory leaves. Tear them into bite-size pieces and add to the bowl of ice water. Wash the arugula and add it to the ice water. Set aside for at least 10 minutes, or until ready to use.
• Make the aioli. Put egg yolk, garlic and 2 tablespoons lemon juice into the bowl of a food processor and pulse to combine. Slowly emulsify with 1 cup of the extra-virgin olive oil. If at any point the aioli becomes superglossy or the oil begins to bead, add a drop of ice water, then continue to stream in the oil. Season with salt to taste. Set aside.
• Season crab with 1 tablespoon aioli, 1/4 cup lemon juice, 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Add diced jalapeño. Set aside.
• Drain the greens, then spin dry using a salad spinner. Transfer them to a large bowl. Dress with 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Toss thoroughly, and adjust seasoning to taste.
• Scatter about 1/4 cup of the dressed crabmeat on each plate (a scant 1/4 cup). Place a layer of greens atop the crab and then a little more crab again. Finish each plate with a dollop of aioli on the side and a sprinkle of Maldon or other flaky sea salt on top.

KILLER CRAB CAKES AND BITTER SALAD WITH SWEET RED PEPPER DRESSING

Steps:

• Cook potatoes in boiling water 6 to 7 minutes until tender, drain, scatter across a large flat surface to cool and dry, 5 minutes. Smash the garlic with salt to make a paste and add to potatoes along with thyme, parsley, lemon zest and crushed red pepper flakes. Feel through the crab as you add it to the potatoes to check for shells. Mix together to combine and form into 4 (4 to 5-inch) super sized, killer crab cakes.
• Heat 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium to medium- high heat. Add the cakes and cook 5 minutes on each side or until deep golden brown.
• Combine the roasted red peppers, shallot, sugar, the juice of 1/2 lemon and the red wine vinegar in a food processor. Stream in the remaining 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil and form a dressing. Stop the processor and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Combine the greens in a salad bowl and dress them. Adjust salt and pepper, to your taste. Serve crab cakes on a bed of salad.

DEVILED CRAB CAKES ON MIXED GREENS WITH GINGER-CITRUS VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the onion, and cook until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the celery and bell pepper; continue cooking until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in the mustard and cayenne pepper; cook 2 minutes. Scrape the mixture into a mixing bowl and refrigerate until cold.
• Stir the mayonnaise into the chilled vegetable mixture along with the soft bread crumbs, 1 tablespoon lemon zest, parsley, and beaten egg. Stir until combined, then gently fold in the crab meat. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Pour the dry bread crumbs into a shallow bowl. Form the crab mixture into 8 cakes, 1/2 inch thick. Press the crab cakes into the bread crumbs one at a time until coated on all sides. Gently shake off excess crumbs, and place the crab cakes onto a plate. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 1 hour to overnight.
• Prepare the vinaigrette by whisking 3/4 cup vegetable oil with the zest of 1 lemon, lemon juice, ginger, jalapeno, sugar, and salt. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
• Heat the frying oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. While the oil is heating, toss the mixed salad greens with the vinaigrette in a mixing bowl, and divide onto 8 serving plates. Arrange the sliced avocado over the salads, and set aside.
• Once the oil is shimmering with heat, fry the crab cakes until golden brown on each side, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Briefly drain on a paper towel-lined plate to rid the cakes of excess grease. Place a crab cake on top of each salad and serve immediately.

DOWN-SOUTH CRAB CAKES WITH COLLARD GREENS AND ROASTED GARLIC BEURRE BLANC

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Combine first 9 ingredients in a large bowl. Gently stir in crabmeat. Shape mixture into 10 (3 to 3 1/2-inch) patties. Place on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray.
• Bake for 12 minutes.
• Spoon Collard Greens onto individual serving plates, using a slotted spoon; top each serving with 2 crab cakes. Drizzle with Roasted Garlic Beurre Blanc. Garnish, if desired.
• Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat; add prosciutto, and saute 2 minutes. Add butter, onion, and garlic; saute until onion is tender. Add collard greens and chicken broth. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer 30 to 45 minutes or until greens are tender.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Place garlic in center of an aluminum foil sheet. Drizzle garlic lightly with oil; sprinkle with salt and black pepper, to taste.
• Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden.
• Squeeze out pulp from each garlic clove into a medium saucepan. Add lemon juice and white wine to garlic. Cook, uncovered, over medium-high heat about 20 minutes or until reduced by three-fourths. Stir in whipping cream; reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, 10 to 15 minutes or until reduced by half. Remove from heat; gradually whisk in butter, a few pieces at a time, until sauce is slightly thickened and smooth. Stir in salt and ground red pepper.

SPICY LEMON CRAB CAKES ON MIXED GREENS

Steps:

• Line baking sheet with foil. Mix first 5 ingredients in large bowl. Add crabmeat and stir gently to combine. Shape mixture into eight 1/2-inch-thick cakes. Transfer to prepared sheet. (Can be made 2 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Working in batches, cook crab cakes until bottoms are brown, about 4 minutes. Using spatula, carefully turn cakes over and cook until second sides are brown, about 4 minutes longer.
• Divide greens among 4 plates. Drizzle with vinaigrette. Top with crab cakes. Garnish with lemon wedges and serve.

BITTER GREENS WITH SAUTéED CORN & SHALLOTS

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium. Cook 2 ounces chopped guanciale (salt-cured pork jowl), pancetta (Italian bacon), or bacon, stirring occasionally, until browned and crisp, about 4 minutes. Add 2 chopped shallots, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add 4 cups fresh corn kernels and cook 2 minutes. Let cool slightly, then stir in 3 tablespoons Sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar and 1 tablespoon olive oil.
• Toss 1 bunch dandelion greens or arugula (about 8 cups) and warm dressing in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Serve topped with 2 chopped Medjool dates, shaved Parmesan, and a pinch of chopped fresh chives.