Soft Shell Crab Blts Recipes

GRILLED OR SAUTEED SOFT SHELL CRAB BLT

Steps:

• If grilling, brush the crabs lightly with blended olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. If sauteing, season the crabs with salt and pepper, and dredge lightly in flour. Cook the crabs for about 3 minutes per side over medium heat. Set aside and keep warm. Place the toasted brioche in the center of a plate and cover it generously with Basil Mayonnaise. Layer the arugula leaves, tomato slices, and warm pancetta, in that order, on top of the brioche. Top with the warm crabs and squeeze more Basil Mayonnaise over the plate and the crabs. Garnish with rosemary, and serve with shoestring potatoes or chips.
• Place the egg yolks, water, and basil in the bowl of a food processor. Turn on the processor and slowly add the oil through the feeding tube. Add salt and pepper, to taste. If the mayonnaise is too thick, add a little water. Transfer Basil Mayonnaise to a squeeze bottle and refrigerate.

SOFT-SHELL CRAB B.L.T. WITH LEMON-PEPPER MAYONNAISE

Steps:

• To make the mayonnaise: In a food processor, combine the egg yolks, salt, mustard, and lemon juice; process together to form a stable base. With the motor running, add a few drops of the oil, the mixture will begin to thicken. Then, begin adding the remaining oil in a thin, steady stream. Scrape down the sides of the processor and pour the mayonnaise into a small bowl. Mix in the black pepper and parsley, cover, and refrigerate; may be kept for up to 3 days.
• To prepare the soft-shell crabs: Pour the buttermilk in a shallow bowl large enough to hold all the crabs. Season the buttermilk with crab boil seasoning, salt, and pepper. Lay the crabs in the buttermilk mixture and marinate, covered, in the refrigerator for 1 hour; soaking the crabs in buttermilk helps plump them up when cooked. Remove the crabs from the milk bath and let the excess drip off.
• Pour 2 inches of oil in a heavy frying pan or large pot and heat to 350 degrees F.
• Put the flour in a pie dish or plate and season with a fair amount of salt and pepper. Dredge the crabs in the seasoned flour to coat, shaking off the excess. Lay the crabs in the hot oil in a single layer without crowding; you may have to fry them in batches. Be careful, the crabs have a tendency to pop and spatter. Cook the crabs for about 3 minutes on each side, turning once, until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
• To build the sandwich: Spread the lemon pepper mayonnaise on both halves of the toasted bread, add the lettuce, tomato, bacon, and avocado. Lay a fried soft-shell crab on top and close up the sandwich.

SAUTEED SOFT-SHELL CRABS WITH GARLIC AND BUTTER

Steps:

• Season crabs with salt and pepper and dredge in the flour, shaking off excess. Set aside.
• In a large skillet over medium high heat, add the oil and saute the crabs until soft, about 2 minutes on each side. Remove the crabs and set aside. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Then add the capers and white wine. Cook until wine has reduced to about 1/2. Swirl in the butter and the chopped chives. Season with salt and pepper.
• Transfer crabs to a plate, spoon sauce over the crabs and garnish with Essence.
• Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container.
• Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch. Published by William and Morrow, 1993.