White Asparagus Crabmeat And Lavender Salad Recipes

COLD WHITE ASPARAGUS AND YUZU SOUP WITH CRAB SALAD AND BAY LEAF SALT

Steps:

• At least 1 day before serving, make stock: Melt butter in a pot over medium-high heat. Add remaining ingredients and cook, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes; reduce heat as needed to prevent browning. Add 1 1/2 quarts (6 cups) water and simmer, uncovered, 30 minutes. Turn off heat and let cool, then refrigerate, covered, overnight. Then strain, discarding vegetables and spices.
• To make soup, heat olive oil in a pot over medium-high heat. Add asparagus and leek and cook 10 minutes, covered, stirring often and reducing heat as needed to prevent browning. Add garlic stock and lemon grass, bring to a simmer, and cook 30 minutes.
• Remove lemon grass, add milk and vanilla scrapings, and blend in a blender or with an immersion blender for two minutes at high speed. Add yuzu juice and salt and pepper to taste. Strain and refrigerate until very cold. Taste before serving; adjust seasonings if needed.
• To serve, divide crab salad among six chilled bowls. At the table, pour cold asparagus soup around salad. Sprinkle with bay leaf salt.

CRAB SALAD WITH ASPARAGUS, AVOCADO, AND LIME VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Make the vinaigrette: whisk together the lime juice, vinegar, lime zest, ginger, and honey in a bowl; whisk in the oils.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper; set aside.
• Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook asparagus until just tender, about 5 minutes.
• As soon as the asparagus are tender, scoop them out of the boiling water and immediately plunge them into a bowl of ice water.
• When the asparagus are cold, drain and toss them with 3 tablespoons of the vinaigrette; set aside.
• Toss the crabmeat with 3 tablespoons of the vinaigrette; set aside.
• In a big bowl, toss the Bibb lettuce leaves with 3 tablespoons of the vinaigrette.
• Plate the salad: divide the dressed Bibb lettuce leaves among 4 large chilled plates.
• Place an avocado half on top of the lettuce on each plate and drizzle the avocado with a little vinaigrette.
• Arrange a bundle of dressed asparagus next to the avocado half; divide the dressed crabmeat among the plates, draping it over the avocado and asparagus.
• Garnish with the grapefruit sections and serve.
• Serving suggestions: because the texture of this salad is soft, serve with crisp crackers or toasted bruschetta; also good beverage choice would be a Mimosa-orange juice and champagne.

CRAB WITH ASPARAGUS AND HEIRLOOM TOMATOES

Steps:

• Turn on broiler. Whisk together oil and vinegar in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper; set aside. Place asparagus on a baking sheet with sides and spray with cooking spray; roll each spear until fully coated in oil. Broil asparagus 8 to 10 minutes or until spears begin to brown. Remove from baking sheet and set aside to cool. Meanwhile, combine shallots and tomatoes in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper; set aside. In a separate bowl, combine crabmeat, cucumbers and chives. Season with salt and pepper; set aside. Place bell peppers in a separate bowl; drizzle with 2 teaspoons reserved vinaigrette; set aside. In a separate bowl, combine yogurt, lime juice and cilantro. Season with salt and pepper; set aside. Chop asparagus into 1-inch pieces. Place tomato mixture on the bottom of each of 4 plates. Top with a layer of the crab; add a layer of peppers (save some for garnish), then asparagus. Top each with 1 1/2 teaspoons yogurt dressing. Sprinkle with peppers. Spoon remaining vinaigrette over salad.

SOUTH BEACH WHITE ASPARAGUS SALAD

Steps:

• In small bowl, combine the tarragon, tomatoes, oil, garlic, and vinegar.
• To serve, place the lettuce leaves on individual serving plates. Arrange 4-6 asparagus spears on the lettuce leaves. Spoon about 3 Tbs of the vinaigrette over the asparagus on each plate.

COLOSSAL CRAB ASPARAGUS BISQUE

Steps:

• Bring stock and bay leaves to a boil in a large pot. Cook asparagus until tender and add to stock pot. Melt butter in a separate saucepan and gently saute onions, celery, and carrots (mirepoix) until tender, then gradually add flour (with a non-reactive utensil such as a wooden spoon), and cook until similar to a roux. Transfer to the pot of stock to thicken soup. Let simmer for 45 minutes. Remove bay leaves from soup. *Blend to a puree with an immersion blender, or in batches in a blender or food processor. Add cream to the soup, and keep warm over low heat.
• For the crab "souffle," mix crab, mayonnaise, thyme, salt and pepper, and squeeze of fresh lemon juice, trying to avoid breaking up the lumps of crabmeat. Place a scoop of the crabmeat in the center of soup bowl and ladle the asparagus soup around. Garnish with a lemon wedge.
• *When blending hot liquids: Remove liquid from the heat and allow to cool for at least 5 minutes. Transfer liquid to a blender or food processor and fill it no more than halfway. If using a blender, release one corner of the lid. This prevents the vacuum effect that creates heat explosions. Place a towel over the top of the machine, pulse a few times then process on high speed until smooth.

CRAB SALAD WITH ASPARAGUS, LEMON AND PARMESAN

Steps:

• Bring a large skillet of salted water to a boil. Add the asparagus, and cook until just tender on the edges, but still firm in the middle, about 4 minutes. Drain, and rinse under very cold water until cool. Dry on tea towels. Cut in 3-inch lengths.
• In a large serving bowl, combine the asparagus and crab meat. Sprinkle the lemon zest into the bowl. Season with salt and sprinkle with olive oil. Toss very gently to mix. Cover, and chill for a few hours, stirring once or twice. Taste, and adjust salt.
• Meanwhile, juice 1 lemon and reserve. Just before serving, add the juice and toss once more. Spread the cheese shavings over salad, and serve.

ASPARAGUS AND CRAB CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• Melt the butter in a saucepan set over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes. Gradually add the milk and stir until thick and smooth, about 5 minutes. Add the Cheddar and Swiss cheeses, and stir until melted. Add the salt and pepper. Set aside.
• Hold an asparagus spear with both hands, about 2 inches from the ends. Gently bend the asparagus until it snaps. It will break at the point where the stem gets too tough to be enjoyable; discard the stem. Repeat for all your asparagus. Cook the asparagus in boiling water until just tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain.
• Place the asparagus in a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish. Scatter the crab meat over the asparagus, then pour in the cheese sauce. Sprinkle with the Parmesan, then bake for about 30 minutes or until top is golden brown and the sauce is bubbling.