Grilled Softshell Crab Salad With Green Garlic Vinaigrette Recipes

SOFTSHELL CRAB SANDWICH WITH TOASTED PAPRIKA AIOLI

Steps:

• Place the mayonnaise, garlic, toasted paprika, cayenne and lemon juice in a blender and blend until smooth. Preheat grill. Brush the crabs with the olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Grill. Place 1 crab on each roll, spread with aioli and top with watercress.

GRILLED SOFT-SHELL CRABS

Steps:

• Clean crabs by removing gills and cutting off the eyes and mouth.
• Place crabs on pan or aluminum foil. Place on grill over a low fire. Baste the crabs with the Lemon Butter Sauce. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes on each side. Continue to baste during cooking. Before serving, top each crab with a slice of tomato and a small amount of mozzarella cheese. Allow cheese to melt. Remove from grill. Serve immediately.
• Add lemon juice and other seasonings. Seasonings may be adjusted for personal taste. Allow to simmer for about 20 minutes.

SOFT-SHELL CRAB SALAD WITH GREEN GODDESS DRESSING

Steps:

• To make the green goddess dressing: Simply puree the ingredients together in a blender, until light green and creamy. Cover and stick the dressing in the fridge to allow the flavors to come together.
• 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 assemble the salad: combine the watercress, lettuce, and onion slices in a mixing bowl. Pour in 1/2 cup of the green goddess dressing, tossing to coat. Arrange the salad on a serving platter, put the fried crabs on top, and grate the hard boiled egg over the whole thing. Garnish with lemon wedges and serve immediately.

SOFT-SHELL CRABS WITH GARLIC VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• To make the vinaigrette, in a mixing bowl, whisk together the salt, pepper, mustard and vinegar. Whisking constantly, slowly drizzle in the corn oil and then the olive oil. Stir in the garlic and herbs. Set aside.
• Coat the crabs lightly with the flour. Season on both sides with salt and pepper. Heat the corn oil in large nonstick skillet over high heat until the oil smokes. Add the crabs top side down and sauté for 1 1/2 minutes. Turn the crabs over, lower the heat to medium and sauté until browned on the bottom and cooked through, about 3 1/2 minutes.
• Spoon a pool of the vinaigrette into the center of 4 plates. Pat the crabs dry and place in the vinaigrette. Serve immediately.

SOFT-SHELL CRABS ON THE GRILL

Steps:

• Rinse crabs under cold running water; brush them with a small brush if necessary to remove any dirt from their shells. Twist off and discard apron. Fold back the pointed sides of the top shell to expose gills; remove gills on both sides. Using kitchen scissors, cut across the front of the crab about 1/4-inch behind the eyes and mouth; squeeze out the small sac located directly behind the mouth.
• Preheat a grill with the lid down or a grill pan over medium-high heat.
• Brush crabs with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place crabs on grill and cover. Cook, turning crabs every couple minutes and basting them with remaining olive oil, until they turn orange and are cooked through, 7 to 9 minutes. Remove from grill and serve immediately.