Deviled Eggs with Crabmeat and Cayenne

Here, the classic deviled egg filling is made even tastier with sweet crab, sherry, Worcestershire sauce and a hit of cayenne. Set these kicked-up nibbles on a platter at your next party and watch them disappear. Luckily for your guests, the recipe is easily doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.  

• 
  
  4 large eggs
  
  


• 
  
  3 Tbs. mayonnaise
  
  


• 
  
  1 tsp. Dijon mustard
  
  


• 
  
  1 tsp. dry sherry
  
  


• 
  
  1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
  
  


• 
  
  Big pinch cayenne
  
  


• 
  
  2 oz. crabmeat picked over and shredded (scant 1/4 cup)
  
  


• 
  
  Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  
  


• 
  
  Fresh lemon juice, to taste
  
  


• 
  
  Paprika for sprinkling (optional)
  
  

Prepare an ice water bath. Arrange the eggs in a single layer in a steamer basket set over boiling water. Cover the steamer with a tight-fitting lid and steam for 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the eggs sit, covered, for 5 minutes more.

Plunge the eggs into the ice bath. Working with one egg at a time, crack
the shell by rolling it on a flat surface. Under a stream of cold
running water, peel the shell.

Let the eggs come to room temperature.

Slice the eggs in half lengthwise. Remove the yolks, transfer them to a small bowl, and mash them with the back of a spoon.

Add the mayonnaise, mustard, sherry, Worcestershire sauce, and cayenne and continue to mash until smooth. Gently stir in the crabmeat and season to taste with salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Pipe or spoon equal amounts of the mixture into the hollows of the egg whites. When ready to serve, sprinkle with a little paprika, if you wish.

Soft-Shell Crab Sandwiches with Spicy Tartar Sauce

Soft-shell crabs cook in minutes, are easier to eat than hard-shell crabs, and their sweet, briny flavor and crunchy-soft juicy texture can't be beat. Soft-shells are usually eaten whole, and they make for a killer sandwich.Video:Watch Fine Cooking's Juli Roberts demonstrate the proper way to clean shoft-shell crabs in four eay steps.

For the tartar sauce

• 
  
  1/2 cup mayonnaise
  
  


• 
  
  1 Tbs. minced red onion
  
  


• 
  
  1 Tbs. finely chopped dill pickle
  
  


• 
  
  1 Tbs. rinsed and finely chopped capers
  
  


• 
  
  1 Tbs. thinly sliced fresh chives
  
  


• 
  
  1-1/2 tsp. Old Bay Seasoning
  
  


• 
  
  1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
  
  


• 
  
  1/4 tsp. hot pepper sauce, such as Tabasco
  
  

For the crabs

• 
  
  1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  
  


• 
  
  1/4 cup medium-grind yellow cornmeal
  
  


• 
  
  Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  
  


• 
  
  4 jumbo soft-shell crabs, cleaned (bodies about 5 inches across; 3 to 3-1/2 oz. each after cleaning)
  
  


• 
  
  2 Tbs. canola or vegetable oil
  
  


• 
  
  1 Tbs. unsalted butter
  
  

To assemble

• 
  
  8 slices white sandwich bread, toasted
  
  


• 
  
  4 large leaves Bibb lettuce
  
  


• 
  
  4 to 8 slices ripe tomato
  
  

Make the sauce

In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, onion, pickle, capers, with spicy tartar sauce chives, Old Bay, lemon juice, and hot pepper sauce. Set aside.

Cook the crabs

In a wide, shallow bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper. Dredge the crabs to coat on both sides (if the top shells are thicker than a piece of paper, pull them off before dredging).


Heat the oil in a 12-inch skillet (preferably cast iron) over medium-high heat until shimmering hot. Add the butter to the skillet and swirl the pan to melt it. Add the crabs top side down and cook, shaking the pan once or twice, until crisp and browned, about 3 minutes. The crabs may pop and splatter, so be careful. Flip the crabs and cook until crisp and just cooked through (an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center of the crab should read 145°F), about 3 minutes more. Transfer the crabs to a large paper-towel-lined plate.

Assemble the sandwiches

Spread the tartar sauce on the 8 slices of toast. Top 4 of the toast slices, sauce side up, with a piece of lettuce and 1 or 2 slices of tomato. Put one crab on each sandwich, top with the remaining toast, sauce side down, and serve.

Cioppino

For the garlic oil and garlic chips:

• 
  
  4 large cloves garlic
  
  


• 
  
  1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  
  


• 
  
  Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  
  

For the shellfish stock:

• 
  
  1 lb. large shrimp (16-20 count)
  
  


• 
  
  6-1/2 cups homemade or low-salt chicken broth
  
  

For the cioppino broth:

• 
  
  1/4 cup olive oil
  
  


• 
  
  3 cups coarsely chopped yellow onion (about 2  medium)
  
  


• 
  
  1 cup coarsely chopped carrot (about 2  medium)
  
  


• 
  
  2/3 cup coarsely chopped celery or fennel (about 2  medium ribs celery or 1/4 medium fennel bulb)
  
  


• 
  
  3 Tbs. coarsely chopped garlic (5 to 6 large cloves)
  
  


• 
  
  6 cups canned whole peeled tomatoes, broken up, with their juices, or diced tomatoes with their juices (2 28-oz. cans)
  
  


• 
  
  2-1/2 cups (3/4 bottle) medium-bodied red wine, such as Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, or Sangiovese
  
  


• 
  
  6 cups Shellfish Stock (above)
  
  


• 
  
  3 large bay leaves
  
  


• 
  
  1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh basil (or 1 Tbs. dried)
  
  


• 
  
  1 Tbs. coarsely chopped fresh oregano (or 1 tsp. dried)
  
  


• 
  
  2 tsp. fennel seeds
  
  


• 
  
  1/2 tsp. crushed red chile flakes; more to taste
  
  


• 
  
  Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  
  

For finishing the stew:

• 
  
  8 3/4-inch-thick slices sourdough bread
  
  


• 
  
  Garlic Oil (above)
  
  


• 
  
  Cioppino Broth (above)
  
  


• 
  
  1 to 1-1/2 lb. small hardshell clams, such as mahogany or cherrystones, scrubbed, or 1 whole Dungeness crab (about 2 lb.), cleaned and cut into sections (have the fishmonger do this)
  
  


• 
  
  1 to 1-1/2 lb. fresh mussels (18 to 24), scrubbed and debearded
  
  


• 
  
  2-1/2 lb. fillets of halibut, monkfish, or other firm-fleshed white fish, cut into 1-inch cubes
  
  


• 
  
  Reserved peeled shrimp from above
  
  


• 
  
  1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  
  


• 
  
  Garlic Chips (above) for garnish
  
  

Up to a day ahead:

Make the garlic oil and garlic chips: Cut the garlic cloves into 1/8-inch slices, put them in a small saucepan with the oil, and season with salt and pepper. Cook over low to medium-low heat until the garlic turns light golden brown, 15 to 20  min., adjusting the heat as needed to keep the garlic bubbling gently as it cooks. Remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature. Strain, reserving both the oil and the garlic chips separately. Reserve the garlic chips for garnish (don’t leave them at room temperature for more than a day or they’ll get soggy). Refrigerate the oil in a clean, sealed container. (You’ll use the oil for the sourdough croutons; use any leftover oil for vinaigrettes, roasted vege- tables, pasta, or roast chicken.)

Make an easy shellfish stock: Peel the shrimp, reserving the shells. (Refrigerate the shelled shrimp to use later in the stew.) Simmer the shells in the chicken broth for 5  min., covered. Strain and refrigerate until ready to use.

Make the broth: Heat the olive oil in an 8-quart or larger pot over medium heat. Add the onions, carrot, celery of fennel, and chopped garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are lightly browned, 15 to 20  min. Add the tomatoes with their juices, the wine, shellfish stock, bay leaves, basil, oregano, fennel seeds, chile flakes, 1 tsp. salt, and several grinds of pepper. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to maintain a simmer and cook for about 20 min. Strain through a medium sieve, pressing on the solids in the sieve. Discard the contents of the sieve. Rinse the pot and return the broth to the pot. Boil the broth until reduced to 8 cups. (If you over-reduce the broth, just add water to compensate.) Taste and add more salt and pepper if needed, remembering that the fish will add some saltiness to the stew. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Half an hour before serving:

Make the toast and cook the shellfish: Position a rack directly under the broiler and heat the broiler. Brush the bread on both sides with the reserved garlic oil. Put the bread on a baking sheet (or directly on the rack) and toast on both sides. While you toast the bread, return the broth to a simmer over medium-high to high  heat.

When each batch of seafood is added, it will cause the temperature of the broth to plunge, so you might need to raise and lower the heat to maintain a simmer. If using clams, start by adding them to the broth and simmer until they open, 3 to 5 min. Add the mussels and crab, if using, and simmer until the mussels have opened, 2 to 3 min. Add the fish and shrimp. Stir carefully with a slotted spoon to get all the fish and shrimp into the broth, but try not to break the pieces up. Cover and cook until the fish is just barely cooked through, another 3  to 5 min., keeping in mind that the fish will continue to cook a little in the time it takes to dish out the servings.

Assemble the stew: Set a piece of toasted sourdough in the bottom of each warm bowl and evenly portion the seafood into the bowls (be sure to discard any unopened clams or mussels). Ladle the broth on top.

Garnish and serve: Sprinkle the chopped parsley and garlic chips over all and serve immediately.

Creamy Crab and Artichoke Dip

Splurge on fresh jumbo lump crabmeat for this tasty dip or, for a less expensive option, use pasteurized “special” crabmeat from the canned seafood aisle (Boss or Chicken of the Sea are good brands). Serve with toast points or water crackers.

• 
  
  8 oz. crème fraîche
  
  


• 
  
  4 oz. cream cheese, cubed
  
  


• 
  
  2 medium cloves garlic
  
  


• 
  
  9 oz. thawed frozen artichoke hearts, gently squeezed dry
  
  


• 
  
  1/3 oz. finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (1/3 cup using a rasp grater)
  
  


• 
  
  2 tsp. Old Bay Seasoning
  
  


• 
  
  2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
  
  


• 
  
  2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
  
  


• 
  
  1 lb. crabmeat, picked through for shells, drained, and excess liquid squeezed out if canned, or lightly shredded if fresh
  
  


• 
  
  Kosher salt
  
  

Position a rack 6 inches from the broiler element and heat the broiler on high. Heat the crème fraîche and cream cheese in a 10-inch ovenproof skillet or flameproof baking dish over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until melted and bubbling, about 3 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a food processor, chop the garlic. Add the artichoke hearts, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Old Bay Seasoning, fresh lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce; pulse until coarsely chopped. Stir the crab and the artichoke mixture into the hot crème fraîche mixture and season to taste with salt. Broil until browned, about 3 minutes; serve from the baking dish or skillet (with a kitchen towel wrapped around the handle).

Crabmeat Empanadas with Grilled Corn Salsa & Poblano Cream Sauce

For the grilled corn salsa:

• 
  
  6 medium ears corn
  
  


• 
  
  3 Tbs. fresh lime juice (from 1 medium lime)
  
  


• 
  
  2 Tbs. sunflower or vegetable oil
  
  


• 
  
  2 Tbs. thinly sliced chives
  
  


• 
  
  Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  
  

For the poblano cream sauce:

• 
  
  3 medium poblano peppers
  
  


• 
  
  1 cup heavy cream
  
  


• 
  
  1 Tbs. sunflower or vegetable oil
  
  


• 
  
  1/2 cup small-diced white onion
  
  


• 
  
  2 medium cloves garlic, minced
  
  


• 
  
  Kosher salt
  
  

For the empandas:

• 
  
  1/2 lb. lump crabmeat, picked over for shells
  
  


• 
  
  2 Tbs. thinly sliced scallion greens
  
  


• 
  
  1 Tbs. fresh lime juice
  
  


• 
  
  Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  
  


• 
  
  1 large egg
  
  


• 
  
  4 sheets frozen packaged puff pastry (preferably Pepperidge Farm brand), thawed overnight in the refrigerator
  
  

Make the grilled corn salsa:

Soak the corn (with husks) in cold water for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare a medium-high gas or charcoal grill fire.

Wrap each wet corn cob separately in aluminum foil. Space them at least 1 inch apart on the grill and cook, covered, rolling each ear a quarter turn every 8 minutes until the cobs have made a complete rotation, 32 minutes total. Remove the foil, let the ears cool enough to handle, and remove the husks and silk.

Set one ear aside and put the remaining five back on the grill. Cook, turning the cobs once, until they are lightly charred, 2 to 3 minutes. Cool the corn on a rack.

Cut the charred corn from the cobs and put it in a medium bowl. Stir in the lime juice, oil, and chives and season to taste with salt and pepper.

Make the poblano cream sauce:

Char the poblanos on the grill, turning them with tongs as soon as each side becomes fully blackened, 6 to 10 minutes. Put the charred poblanos in a bowl and cover. When cool enough to handle, peel and seed them.

In a heavy-duty 2-quart saucepan, bring the cream to a boil over high heat. Lower the heat to medium and simmer until reduced to 1/2 cup, about 5 minutes.

Heat the oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened but not browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Put the onion mixture, poblanos, and 2 Tbs. water in a blender and puree until smooth. Stir the poblano puree into the reduced cream and season to taste with salt. Keep warm.

Make the empanadas:

Position racks in the top and bottom thirds of the oven and heat the oven to 400°F.

Cut the uncharred corn from the cob. In a medium bowl, stir together the corn, crabmeat, scallion greens, lime juice, 1 tsp. salt, and a few grinds of pepper.

Beat the egg in small bowl with 1 Tbs. of water.

Cut each puff pastry sheet into four 3-1/2-inch squares. Drop 1 rounded Tbs. of the crab mixture in the center of each pastry square. With a pastry brush, brush two adjoining edges of each square with the egg and fold the opposite corner over to form a triangle, sealing all the way around with your thumb. Press a fork down on the sealed edges at regular intervals to form small ridges. Transfer the empanadas to two parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake until golden brown, 15 to 18 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through baking.

To serve:

Pour 1 Tbs. of the warm poblano cream sauce in a circle around a small plate. Put one empanada in the center of the plate and spoon a little corn salsa to the side. Serve immediately.

Classic Maryland Crab Cakes

This crab cake is the real deal—no fussy stuff, no flavor disguises. Just pure, sweet crab meat, and lots of it. You add in just enough egg and fresh bread crumbs to bind the crabmeat together. White sandwich bread yields the absolute best cakes—soft and flaky at the same time. Use just enough Old Bay seasoning to give a hint of its presence or it will overpower the crab.

• 
  
  1 lb. jumbo lump or backfin lump crabmeat, fresh or pasteurized
  
  


• 
  
  1 large egg
  
  


• 
  
  1/4 cup mayonnaise
  
  


• 
  
  1-1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard
  
  


• 
  
  1-1/2 tsp. Old Bay seasoning
  
  


• 
  
  1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
  
  


• 
  
  1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce Kosher salt
  
  


• 
  
  1-1/4 cups fresh breadcrumbs (from soft white sandwich bread, such as Pepperidge Farm)
  
  


• 
  
  1 Tbs. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  
  


• 
  
  2 Tbs. unsalted butter
  
  


• 
  
  1 Tbs. olive oil
  
  


• 
  
  Lemon wedges for serving
  
  

Drain the crabmeat, if necessary, and pick through it for shells ( jumbo lump will not have  shells). Put the crab in a medium mixing bowl and set aside.

In a small bowl, whisk the egg, mayonnaise, mustard, Old Bay seasoning, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and 1/4 tsp. salt. Scrape the mixture over the crab and mix gently until well combined. Gently break up the lumps with your fingers but do not overmix.

Sprinkle the breadcrumbs and the parsley over the mixture, and mix them in thoroughly but gently; try not to turn the mixture into a mash—it should still be somewhat loose. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 to 3 hours.

Shape the crab mixture into 8 cakes about 1 inch thick. In a 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat the butter with the olive oil over medium heat. When the butter is frothy, add the cakes to the pan (8 should fit comfortably). Cook until dark golden brown on the underside, about 4 minutes. Flip the cakes, reduce the heat to medium low, and continue cooking until the other side is well browned, 4 to 5 minutes. Serve with lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over the cakes.

Creamy Crab and Artichoke Dip

Splurge on fresh jumbo lump crabmeat for this tasty dip or, for a less expensive option, use pasteurized “special” crabmeat from the canned seafood aisle (Boss or Chicken of the Sea are good brands). Serve with toast points or water crackers.

• 
  
  8 oz. crème fraîche
  
  


• 
  
  4 oz. cream cheese, cubed
  
  


• 
  
  2 medium cloves garlic
  
  


• 
  
  9 oz. thawed frozen artichoke hearts, gently squeezed dry
  
  


• 
  
  1/3 oz. finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (1/3 cup using a rasp grater)
  
  


• 
  
  2 tsp. Old Bay Seasoning
  
  


• 
  
  2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
  
  


• 
  
  2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
  
  


• 
  
  1 lb. crabmeat, picked through for shells, drained, and excess liquid squeezed out if canned, or lightly shredded if fresh
  
  


• 
  
  Kosher salt
  
  

Position a rack 6 inches from the broiler element and heat the broiler on high. Heat the crème fraîche and cream cheese in a 10-inch ovenproof skillet or flameproof baking dish over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until melted and bubbling, about 3 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a food processor, chop the garlic. Add the artichoke hearts, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Old Bay Seasoning, fresh lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce; pulse until coarsely chopped. Stir the crab and the artichoke mixture into the hot crème fraîche mixture and season to taste with salt. Broil until browned, about 3 minutes; serve from the baking dish or skillet (with a kitchen towel wrapped around the handle).

Salt Cod and Crab Fritters

You can prepare the fritters ahead and then fry them when you’re ready to eat. Save the potato skins for Potato Skin Curls with Fresh Herbs.

• 
  
  8 oz. dried salt cod
  
  


• 
  
  1 lb. medium Yukon Gold potatoes (3 or 4), peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
  
  


• 
  
  Kosher salt
  
  


• 
  
  3 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
  
  


• 
  
  1 medium yellow onion, minced
  
  


• 
  
  3 medium cloves garlic, minced
  
  


• 
  
  3 Tbs. finely chopped fresh cilantro
  
  


• 
  
  1 tsp. hot pepper sauce; more to taste
  
  


• 
  
  1 large egg, separated
  
  


• 
  
  8 oz. jumbo lump crabmeat, drained well and picked over
  
  


• 
  
  Vegetable oil, for frying
  
  

The day before you plan to serve the fritters, rinse the salt cod well under cool running water to remove any surface salt. Put it in a large bowl and cover with cold water. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 24 hours, changing the water several times.


Bring a 4-quart saucepan filled with enough water to accommodate the cod (about 3 quarts) to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low, add the soaked cod, and simmer gently until it flakes easily with a fork, 10 to 20 minutes. Drain well and let cool. Remove and discard any bits of skin, bone, or spongy ends.


Meanwhile, put the potatoes in a 4-quart saucepan and add enough cold water to cover by 2 inches. Add 1 Tbs. salt, cover, and bring to a boil over high heat. Simmer until tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Drain, transfer to a bowl, and mash well. Set aside.


In a 10-inch skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring often, until golden brown, 4 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Add to the mashed potatoes.


Pulse the cooked cod in a food processor until finely shredded. Add the cod to the potatoes, along with the cilantro and hot sauce. Mix well and season to taste with salt and more hot pepper sauce. Stir in the egg yolk and then gently fold in the crab. In a small bowl, whisk the egg white to soft peaks and gently fold it into the cod mixture.


Pinch off walnut-size pieces of the cod mixture, roll them into balls, and set aside on a tray. (The recipe may be prepared up to this point 2 hours ahead; keep refrigerated.)


Heat 1-1/2 inches of vegetable oil in a 4-quart saucepan over medium-high heat until it reaches 360°F on a deep fat/candy thermometer. Fry the fritters in batches of 4 or 5 until golden-brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a baking sheet lined with paper towels to drain. Sprinkle with salt while still sizzling. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Thai Seafood Salad (Yum Talay)

This dish boasts a playful mix of flavors: the natural sweetness of fresh seafood, the breezy notes of cilantro and mint, and the sharp accent of lime juice against a little sizzle of chile heat.
In Thai cuisine, a yum is a hearty dish consisting mostly of meat, fish, or seafood, tossed just before serving with a simple mixture of fish sauce, fresh or dried chiles, lime juice, and herbs and often served atop a bed of salad greens. A yum is a stand-alone dish, perfect for a light main course or even an appetizer. The word yum refers to the action of combining an array of hot and tangy ingredients, and talay is the Thai word for ocean; thus, the mixed seafood version is called yum talay.
You can prepare the components in advance but be sure to yum the dressing and seafood right before serving—this is the key to keeping the vibrant flavors distinct.

For the seafood:

• 
  
  24 small mussels
  
  


• 
  
  1 Tbs. table salt
  
  


• 
  
  3/4 lb. medium (51 to 60 per lb.) fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
  
  


• 
  
  1/2 lb. cleaned squid, bodies sliced crosswise into 1/4-inch rings and tentacles cut in half if large
  
  


• 
  
  1/2 lb. sea scallops or bay scallops
  
  


• 
  
  1/4 lb. fresh or pasteurized jumbo lump crabmeat
  
  

Tip:

You can find frozen cleaned squid in 1-lb. packages in the freezer section. Some markets have thawed cleaned squid on ice at the seafood counter.

For the dressing:

• 
  
  6 Tbs. fresh lime juice (from 2 limes)
  
  


• 
  
  4-1/2 Tbs. fish sauce
  
  


• 
  
  1-1/2 Tbs. granulated sugar
  
  


• 
  
  2 tsp. finely chopped unseeded fresh hot green chiles (like serrano or jalapeño)
  
  


• 
  
  2 tsp. finely chopped garlic (2 medium cloves)
  
  

For the salad:

• 
  
  2 cups bite-size pieces of Boston lettuce, rinsed and spun dry (1 large head)
  
  


• 
  
  3 Tbs. thinly sliced shallot (1 large)
  
  


• 
  
  1/3 cup thinly sliced scallions (4 to 5, white and green parts)
  
  


• 
  
  1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
  
  


• 
  
  1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh mint
  
  


• 
  
  1/2 cup sliced English cucumber (halve cucumber lengthwise and slice into 1/4-inch-thick half-moons)
  
  


• 
  
  1/2 cup halved cherry or grape tomatoes
  
  

Tip:

Chop the cilantro and mint at the last minute, just before mixing with the salad, so their flavor won't have time to fade.

Cook the seafood:

Scrub the mussels well under running water and pull off any "beards." Discard any mussels that don't close tightly when tapped on the counter. Put closed mussels in a medium saucepan. Add about 1/2 cup water, just enough to cover the bottom of the pan by about 1/4 inch. Cover and set over high heat. Bring to a rolling boil and cook until the shells have opened, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the heat, transfer to a plate, and let stand until cool enough to handle. Discard any unopened ones. Remove the cooked mussels from their shells and put in a medium bowl; discard the shells and cooking liquid.

To cook the remaining seafood, bring a 3-qt. saucepan of water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add the salt and let the water return to a boil. Pour the shrimp into the boiling water and cook until the largest one is pink on the outside, opaque on the inside, and just cooked through, about 2 minutes. The water may not return to the boil before they are done. Scoop them out with a slotted spoon and drop into the bowl with the mussels.

After the water returns to a rolling boil, add the squid and cook just until they become firm and the rings turn bright white, about 1 minute. Scoop them out and drop them into the bowl along with the shrimp and mussels.

When the water returns to a rolling boil, cook the scallops until just cooked through and no longer translucent inside, 1 to 2 minutes for bay scallops, 2 to 3 minutes for sea scallops. Scoop them out and drop into the bowl as well (if using sea scallops, you may want to halve or quarter them first).

Add the lump crabmeat chunks to the bowl of seafood. Set the seafood aside on the counter while you prepare the dressing and other ingredients for the salad.

Make the dressing:

In a medium-large bowl, combine the lime juice, fish sauce, sugar, chiles, and garlic. Stir to dissolve the sugar and combine everything well. Set aside.

Assemble the salad:

Arrange the lettuce on a large serving platter or on individual serving plates as a bed for the seafood.

Transfer the cooked seafood to the bowl containing the lime-juice dressing. Add the shallots and use your hands or a wooden spoon to gently toss everything well. Add the scallions, cilantro, and mint and mix well again. Scoop the seafood onto the platter or serving plates with a slotted spoon. Toss the cucumber and tomato in the dressing remaining in the bowl and scatter around the seafood. Drizzle any remaining dressing from the bowl over the salad, especially over any lettuce not covered by the seafood. Serve immediately.

Creamy Crab and Artichoke Dip

Splurge on fresh jumbo lump crabmeat for this tasty dip or, for a less expensive option, use pasteurized “special” crabmeat from the canned seafood aisle (Boss or Chicken of the Sea are good brands). Serve with toast points or water crackers.

• 
  
  8 oz. crème fraîche
  
  


• 
  
  4 oz. cream cheese, cubed
  
  


• 
  
  2 medium cloves garlic
  
  


• 
  
  9 oz. thawed frozen artichoke hearts, gently squeezed dry
  
  


• 
  
  1/3 oz. finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (1/3 cup using a rasp grater)
  
  


• 
  
  2 tsp. Old Bay Seasoning
  
  


• 
  
  2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
  
  


• 
  
  2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
  
  


• 
  
  1 lb. crabmeat, picked through for shells, drained, and excess liquid squeezed out if canned, or lightly shredded if fresh
  
  


• 
  
  Kosher salt
  
  

Position a rack 6 inches from the broiler element and heat the broiler on high. Heat the crème fraîche and cream cheese in a 10-inch ovenproof skillet or flameproof baking dish over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until melted and bubbling, about 3 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a food processor, chop the garlic. Add the artichoke hearts, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Old Bay Seasoning, fresh lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce; pulse until coarsely chopped. Stir the crab and the artichoke mixture into the hot crème fraîche mixture and season to taste with salt. Broil until browned, about 3 minutes; serve from the baking dish or skillet (with a kitchen towel wrapped around the handle).

Crab & Scallion Stuffed Shrimp

For this recipe, avoid shrimp that's already been deveined; because it's been slit down the back, it can't be butterflied properly.

• 
  
  3-1/2 Tbs. unsalted butter; more for the baking sheet
  
  


• 
  
  1/3 cup thinly sliced scallions (white and light-green parts only; from 5 to 6 scallions)
  
  


• 
  
  Kosher salt
  
  


• 
  
  1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
  
  


• 
  
  Two drops Sriracha hot sauce (or other Asian chile sauce)
  
  


• 
  
  1/3 cup mayonnaise
  
  


• 
  
  2 Tbs. coarsely chopped fresh parsley, plus 20 whole leaves or small sprigs
  
  


• 
  
  1-1/2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
  
  


• 
  
  1 tsp. finely grated lemon zest
  
  


• 
  
  1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard
  
  


• 
  
  Freshly ground black pepper
  
  


• 
  
  1/2 lb. backfin crabmeat, drained and picked over for shells
  
  


• 
  
  1-1/4 cups fine fresh breadcrumbs
  
  


• 
  
  16 jumbo shrimp (16 to 20 per lb.), butterflied
  
  


• 
  
  1 small head frisee lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces
  
  


• 
  
  1-1/2 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  
  

Make the stuffing:

In a small saucepan, melt 2 Tbs. of the butter over medium-low heat. Add the scallions and a pinch of salt and cook, stirring, until softened, 3 to 4 minutes (don't brown). Take the pan off the heat and stir in the Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce. Cool to room temperature.

In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, 1 Tbs. of the chopped parsley, 1 tsp. of the lemon juice, the lemon zest, the mustard, 1/4 tsp. salt, and a few grinds of pepper. Stir in the cooled scallion mixture. Add the crab and mix gently but thoroughly.

In a 10-inch skillet, melt the remaining 1-1/2 Tbs. butter over medium heat. Add the breadcrumbs and cook, stirring, until light golden brown, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl and mix in the remaining 1 Tbs. chopped parsley and 1/4 tsp. salt.

Stuff the shrimp:

Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment and rub lightly with butter. Arrange the butterflied shrimp on the baking sheet. Using a spoon or your hands, mound a heaping tablespoon of the crab mixture onto each shrimp. Sprinkle and pat the breadcrumbs over the crab. (This will be messy; don't worry if there are crumbs on the baking sheet.) Flip the tail of each shrimp up and over the crab.

Bake the shrimp:

Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 400°F. Bake until the shrimp are cooked through, the crabmeat is hot, and the crumbs are golden brown, 12 to 14 minutes. While the shrimp are in the oven, toss the frisee and the whole parsley leaves with the remaining 1/2 tsp. lemon juice, the olive oil, and a pinch of salt. On 8 small plates, arrange a small pile of the salad and two shrimp. Serve right away.

Creamy Crab and Artichoke Dip

Splurge on fresh jumbo lump crabmeat for this tasty dip or, for a less expensive option, use pasteurized “special” crabmeat from the canned seafood aisle (Boss or Chicken of the Sea are good brands). Serve with toast points or water crackers.

• 
  
  8 oz. crème fraîche
  
  


• 
  
  4 oz. cream cheese, cubed
  
  


• 
  
  2 medium cloves garlic
  
  


• 
  
  9 oz. thawed frozen artichoke hearts, gently squeezed dry
  
  


• 
  
  1/3 oz. finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (1/3 cup using a rasp grater)
  
  


• 
  
  2 tsp. Old Bay Seasoning
  
  


• 
  
  2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
  
  


• 
  
  2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
  
  


• 
  
  1 lb. crabmeat, picked through for shells, drained, and excess liquid squeezed out if canned, or lightly shredded if fresh
  
  


• 
  
  Kosher salt
  
  

Position a rack 6 inches from the broiler element and heat the broiler on high. Heat the crème fraîche and cream cheese in a 10-inch ovenproof skillet or flameproof baking dish over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until melted and bubbling, about 3 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a food processor, chop the garlic. Add the artichoke hearts, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Old Bay Seasoning, fresh lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce; pulse until coarsely chopped. Stir the crab and the artichoke mixture into the hot crème fraîche mixture and season to taste with salt. Broil until browned, about 3 minutes; serve from the baking dish or skillet (with a kitchen towel wrapped around the handle).

Deviled Eggs with Crabmeat and Cayenne

Here, the classic deviled egg filling is made even tastier with sweet crab, sherry, Worcestershire sauce and a hit of cayenne. Set these kicked-up nibbles on a platter at your next party and watch them disappear. Luckily for your guests, the recipe is easily doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.  

• 
  
  4 large eggs
  
  


• 
  
  3 Tbs. mayonnaise
  
  


• 
  
  1 tsp. Dijon mustard
  
  


• 
  
  1 tsp. dry sherry
  
  


• 
  
  1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
  
  


• 
  
  Big pinch cayenne
  
  


• 
  
  2 oz. crabmeat picked over and shredded (scant 1/4 cup)
  
  


• 
  
  Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  
  


• 
  
  Fresh lemon juice, to taste
  
  


• 
  
  Paprika for sprinkling (optional)
  
  

Prepare an ice water bath. Arrange the eggs in a single layer in a steamer basket set over boiling water. Cover the steamer with a tight-fitting lid and steam for 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the eggs sit, covered, for 5 minutes more.

Plunge the eggs into the ice bath. Working with one egg at a time, crack
the shell by rolling it on a flat surface. Under a stream of cold
running water, peel the shell.

Let the eggs come to room temperature.

Slice the eggs in half lengthwise. Remove the yolks, transfer them to a small bowl, and mash them with the back of a spoon.

Add the mayonnaise, mustard, sherry, Worcestershire sauce, and cayenne and continue to mash until smooth. Gently stir in the crabmeat and season to taste with salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Pipe or spoon equal amounts of the mixture into the hollows of the egg whites. When ready to serve, sprinkle with a little paprika, if you wish.

Etta’s Dungeness Crab Eggs Benedict with Lemon Dill Hollandaise

Etta’s, Tom Douglas's seafood restaurant in Seattle's Pike Place Market, often changes up the flavor of hollandaise by adding ingredients like chipotle or crab “butter.” But this simple, classic combo of lemon and dill never fails to satisfy. Make the hollandaise first and keep it warm while you poach the eggs. You can keep a bowl of hollandaise warm over a saucepan of hot, but not simmering, water. (Don’t let your hollandaise get too hot or it will break.) A great way to keep hollandaise warm without worrying about breaking it is to pour it into a thermos container.

For the lemon dill hollandaise

• 
  
  1 Tbs. finely chopped shallot
  
  


• 
  
  3 Tbs. champagne vinegar or other mild vinegar
  
  


• 
  
  3 large egg yolks
  
  


• 
  
  2 Tbs. hot water
  
  


• 
  
  1 cup unsalted butter
  
  


• 
  
  2 tsp. finely chopped fresh dill, plus a little more for garnish
  
  


• 
  
  1-1⁄2 tsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper
  
  

For the eggs benedict

• 
  
  2 Tbs. unsalted butter
  
  


• 
  
  6 oz. fresh spinach leaves, washed, dried, and stems trimmed (about 12 cups loosely packed leaves)
  
  


• 
  
  8 oz. fresh dungeness crabmeat, picked over for bits of shell, or substitute other fresh local crabmeat such as blue crab
  
  


• 
  
  4 English muffins, split, toasted, and buttered
  
  


• 
  
  8 eggs, poached
  
  

Make the hollandaise

To make the hollandaise, first make the shallot reduction. Put the shallot in a very small pan or skillet and cover with the vinegar. Cook over medium-high heat, adjusting the heat as needed, until all the liquid is cooked away, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and set the shallot reduction aside.

Set up a saucepan with 2 or 3 inches of water and bring it to just under a simmer over medium heat. Choose a saucepan that will be large and wide enough to hold a metal bowl and function as a “water bath.”

In the metal bowl that you have chosen for your water bath (but not over the heat), using a whisk, whisk the egg yolks lightly together. Lightly whisk in the hot water (you can measure it out from the water in the saucepan), then set the bowl over the saucepan of barely simmering water. (The hot water should not be touching the bottom of the bowl.) Use your whisk to whisk the yolks in a back-and-forth motion. Don’t whisk in any air and don’t get the eggs up the sides of the bowl, where they will scramble and cook. Be sure the water in the saucepan is hot but barely at a simmer. Turn the heat down or turn it off if you think the yolks are in danger of curdling. Keep steadily whisking the yolks back and forth until very thick (but not scrambled or curdled), 3 to 4 minutes.

Remove the bowl from the heat and whisk in the shallot reduction. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Transfer the butter to a Pyrex liquid measuring cup to make pouring easier. Add the hot butter to the eggs very gradually, whisking constantly (you don’t have to do the careful back-and-forth whisking here; just whisk vigorously and steadily) until all the butter is added. (Here are some tips for whisking in the butter: Make a cradle with a kitchen towel to steady your bowl as you add the melted butter. Even better, find someone to help you. One person can hold the bowl and the other can whisk, and you can trade off so your arms don’t get so tired!)

When you are finished adding the butter, if your hollandaise is thicker than you like it, whisk in a tablespoon or more of hot water. Add the dill and lemon juice and season to taste with salt and pepper. Keep the hollandaise warm while you finish the Eggs Benedict.

Make the eggs Benedict:

Put the 2 Tbs. butter in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the
spinach leaves and cook gently for a few minutes, just until they begin
to wilt. Push the spinach to one side of the pan and add the crab. Heat
the crab very gently for a moment, then remove the pan from the heat.

Put the split, toasted, and buttered English muffins on 4 warm plates.
Top each muffin half with some of the spinach, then with the warm
crabmeat. Then top each muffin half with a poached egg. Ladle
hollandaise over each egg, dividing it evenly, garnish with chopped
dill, and serve immediately.

Creamy Crab and Artichoke Dip

Splurge on fresh jumbo lump crabmeat for this tasty dip or, for a less expensive option, use pasteurized “special” crabmeat from the canned seafood aisle (Boss or Chicken of the Sea are good brands). Serve with toast points or water crackers.

• 
  
  8 oz. crème fraîche
  
  


• 
  
  4 oz. cream cheese, cubed
  
  


• 
  
  2 medium cloves garlic
  
  


• 
  
  9 oz. thawed frozen artichoke hearts, gently squeezed dry
  
  


• 
  
  1/3 oz. finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (1/3 cup using a rasp grater)
  
  


• 
  
  2 tsp. Old Bay Seasoning
  
  


• 
  
  2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
  
  


• 
  
  2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
  
  


• 
  
  1 lb. crabmeat, picked through for shells, drained, and excess liquid squeezed out if canned, or lightly shredded if fresh
  
  


• 
  
  Kosher salt
  
  

Position a rack 6 inches from the broiler element and heat the broiler on high. Heat the crème fraîche and cream cheese in a 10-inch ovenproof skillet or flameproof baking dish over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until melted and bubbling, about 3 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a food processor, chop the garlic. Add the artichoke hearts, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Old Bay Seasoning, fresh lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce; pulse until coarsely chopped. Stir the crab and the artichoke mixture into the hot crème fraîche mixture and season to taste with salt. Broil until browned, about 3 minutes; serve from the baking dish or skillet (with a kitchen towel wrapped around the handle).

Salt Cod and Crab Fritters

You can prepare the fritters ahead and then fry them when you’re ready to eat. Save the potato skins for Potato Skin Curls with Fresh Herbs.

• 
  
  8 oz. dried salt cod
  
  


• 
  
  1 lb. medium Yukon Gold potatoes (3 or 4), peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
  
  


• 
  
  Kosher salt
  
  


• 
  
  3 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
  
  


• 
  
  1 medium yellow onion, minced
  
  


• 
  
  3 medium cloves garlic, minced
  
  


• 
  
  3 Tbs. finely chopped fresh cilantro
  
  


• 
  
  1 tsp. hot pepper sauce; more to taste
  
  


• 
  
  1 large egg, separated
  
  


• 
  
  8 oz. jumbo lump crabmeat, drained well and picked over
  
  


• 
  
  Vegetable oil, for frying
  
  

The day before you plan to serve the fritters, rinse the salt cod well under cool running water to remove any surface salt. Put it in a large bowl and cover with cold water. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 24 hours, changing the water several times.


Bring a 4-quart saucepan filled with enough water to accommodate the cod (about 3 quarts) to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low, add the soaked cod, and simmer gently until it flakes easily with a fork, 10 to 20 minutes. Drain well and let cool. Remove and discard any bits of skin, bone, or spongy ends.


Meanwhile, put the potatoes in a 4-quart saucepan and add enough cold water to cover by 2 inches. Add 1 Tbs. salt, cover, and bring to a boil over high heat. Simmer until tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Drain, transfer to a bowl, and mash well. Set aside.


In a 10-inch skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring often, until golden brown, 4 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Add to the mashed potatoes.


Pulse the cooked cod in a food processor until finely shredded. Add the cod to the potatoes, along with the cilantro and hot sauce. Mix well and season to taste with salt and more hot pepper sauce. Stir in the egg yolk and then gently fold in the crab. In a small bowl, whisk the egg white to soft peaks and gently fold it into the cod mixture.


Pinch off walnut-size pieces of the cod mixture, roll them into balls, and set aside on a tray. (The recipe may be prepared up to this point 2 hours ahead; keep refrigerated.)


Heat 1-1/2 inches of vegetable oil in a 4-quart saucepan over medium-high heat until it reaches 360°F on a deep fat/candy thermometer. Fry the fritters in batches of 4 or 5 until golden-brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a baking sheet lined with paper towels to drain. Sprinkle with salt while still sizzling. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Deep-Fried Soft-Shell Crabs with Garlic and Black Pepper

If soft-shell crabs can't be found, fish, large prawns (shrimp), squid, or crabs of the hard-shell variety can be used with this recipe.

• 
  
  4 soft-shell crabs, each about 60-75 g (2 to 2-1/2 oz), thawed if frozen
  
  


• 
  
  6 coriander (cilantro) roots, cleaned and chopped
  
  


• 
  
  Salt
  
  


• 
  
  8-10 garlic cloves, unpeeled (about 3 Tbs.)
  
  


• 
  
  1 tsp. black peppercorns
  
  


• 
  
  3-4 Tbs. (all-purpose) flour
  
  


• 
  
  Vegetable oil, for deep-frying
  
  


• 
  
  1 Tbs. chopped coriander (cilantro) leaves
  
  


• 
  
  
  Sriracha sauce, to serve
  
  

To clean the crabs, lift the shell on each side of the body and scrape out the frond-like gills. Snip off the eyes and mouth. Give the crabs a quick rinse then pat dry with a paper towel.


Using a pestle and mortar, pound the coriander roots to a paste with a good pinch of salt. Add the garlic and continue to pound into a somewhat coarse paste. Remove excess or tough garlic skin then stir in the peppercorns, crushing them lightly.


Mix the flour with a large pinch of salt. Dredge the cleaned crabs with the seasoned flour, shaking off any excess, then combine them with the garlic and black pepper paste.


Pour the deep-frying oil into a large, stable wok or a wide, heavy-based pan until it is about two-thirds full. Heat the oil over a medium-high flame until a cooking thermometer registers 180°C (350°F). Alternatively, test the temperature of the oil by dropping in a cube of bread; it will brown in about 15 seconds if the oil is hot enough.


Deep-fry the crabs in the hot oil for 3-4 minutes, turning them a few times to ensure even cooking, until they are cooked and the garlic is golden. Should the garlic start to smell bitter and darken too much before the crabs are ready, quickly scoop it out. Lift out the crabs and drain on paper towels.


Sprinkle with the chopped coriander and serve with steamed rice and a small bowl of sauce Siracha.

Creamy Crab and Artichoke Dip

Splurge on fresh jumbo lump crabmeat for this tasty dip or, for a less expensive option, use pasteurized “special” crabmeat from the canned seafood aisle (Boss or Chicken of the Sea are good brands). Serve with toast points or water crackers.

• 
  
  8 oz. crème fraîche
  
  


• 
  
  4 oz. cream cheese, cubed
  
  


• 
  
  2 medium cloves garlic
  
  


• 
  
  9 oz. thawed frozen artichoke hearts, gently squeezed dry
  
  


• 
  
  1/3 oz. finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (1/3 cup using a rasp grater)
  
  


• 
  
  2 tsp. Old Bay Seasoning
  
  


• 
  
  2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
  
  


• 
  
  2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
  
  


• 
  
  1 lb. crabmeat, picked through for shells, drained, and excess liquid squeezed out if canned, or lightly shredded if fresh
  
  


• 
  
  Kosher salt
  
  

Position a rack 6 inches from the broiler element and heat the broiler on high. Heat the crème fraîche and cream cheese in a 10-inch ovenproof skillet or flameproof baking dish over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until melted and bubbling, about 3 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a food processor, chop the garlic. Add the artichoke hearts, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Old Bay Seasoning, fresh lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce; pulse until coarsely chopped. Stir the crab and the artichoke mixture into the hot crème fraîche mixture and season to taste with salt. Broil until browned, about 3 minutes; serve from the baking dish or skillet (with a kitchen towel wrapped around the handle).