Dungeness Crab Salad With Shaved Fennel Recipes

CRAB CAKES CHIARELLO WITH SHAVED FENNEL SALAD

Steps:

• In a large nonreactive mixing bowl combine the bread, mayonnaise, egg yolks, 2 tablespoons of the parsley, chive, mustard, hot red pepper sauce, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Let rest for about 15 minutes to soften the bread. With a spatula gently fold in the crabmeat so as not to break up the meat.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Using your hands form the cakes about 6 ounces each. Do not form them too tightly or they will not bake properly.
• Brush a baking tray with butter or spray with a nonstick cooking spray. Place the crab cakes, evenly spaced on the tray. Melt the butter and combine with the crab boil seasoning. Brush the tops of the cakes with half the spiced butter and bake on the top shelf of oven for about 12 minutes or until an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
• Using a mandolin slice the fennel very thin. Combine with the lemon juice, olive oil, remaining 2 tablespoons of parsley, salt, and pepper. Spread the fennel salad on a large platter and place the crab cakes on top. Serve with the second half of the spiced butter on the side for dipping.

CHILLI CRAB WITH SHAVED FENNEL & PARSLEY SALAD

Steps:

• Trim the stalk away from the fennel and pull away the first layer of each bulb if it's looking tired or bruised. Slice the fennel into rounds as thinly as possible using a sharp knife or, better still, on a mandolin if you have one. Tip the fennel into a bowl and season with a pinch of sea salt. Squeeze over half the lemon juice and drizzle with 2 tbsp of the olive oil, then set aside to marinate briefly.
• Tip the crabmeat into another bowl, season lightly, then add the rest of the lemon juice and olive oil, and half the chilli, and mix well. The crab and fennel can be prepared up to 2 hrs ahead and kept in the fridge, but bring the fennel out again 20 mins before serving.
• Mix the parsley and the rest of the chilli with the fennel. Divide between six plates, then top each one with a large spoonful of crabmeat in the middle. Scatter over the fennel fronds, lemon zest and a trickle of olive oil, then serve.

DUNGENESS CRAB AND FENNEL SALAD WITH CREAMY LIME DRESSING

Steps:

• Halve fennel lengthwise (or quarter if large) and discard core, then shave fennel lengthwise as thinly as possible using slicer. Soak sliced fennel in a bowl of ice and cold water until it is crisp, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• Blend all dressing ingredients, except oils, with 1/2 teaspoon salt in a blender at high speed until combined. With blender still on high, add oils in a slow stream thourough top hole, blending until emulsified. Season with salt and white pepper.
• Drain fennel and pat dry, then toss with crabmeat and dressing. Divide spinach among 4 plates and top with crab salad.

DUNGENESS CRAB SALAD WITH SHAVED FENNEL

Steps:

• To prepare mayonnaise: place egg yolks, dijon mustard, and 1 TBSP fresh lemon juice in a stand mixer. Beat until combined and slowly add 1 cup of olive oil drop by drop until mayonnaise is thick and emulsified. Add 1 more TBSP of lemon juice and 1 more cup of oil slowly. Stir in chopped tarragon, salt, and white pepper to taste. To prepare salad: combine crabmeat, apples, and mayonnaise to taste in a large bowl. Cover four small serving plates each with 1 cup of chiffonade greens. Place a pastry ring or a tuna can with top and bottom cut out in the center of each plate and spoon salad mixture into ring. Gently press to form cake shape and remove ring. Top each salad with a small handful of shaved fennel and serve. Note: For a different presentation lose the pastry ring and chiffonade and just mound the salad mixture on a small bed of mixed green. Fennel fronds and lemon slices make attractive garnishes.