Earthy Delights Recipe
http://www.earthy.com/
Softshell Crab with Grilled Ramp DressingSoftshell crabs are a rare treat, when you can find
them. Combined with ramps and fresh asparagus, they
are delicious beyond description. This recipe is
adapted from one by Emeril Lagasse. Two things to remember about this
recipe: 1.) it includes a raw egg warning,* so
use only refrigerated, clean, sound-shelled, fresh,
grade AA or A eggs. Avoid mixing yolks and whites
with the shell; and 2.) the recipe calls for
Emeril's Creole "essence" also called "Bayou Blast."
Recipe follows.
Ingredients:
1 bunch
fresh ramps, washed and trimmed
Drizzle of extra virgin olive oil
Sea salt
fresh cracked pepper
1 egg*
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 juiced lemon
1 teaspoon chopped garlic
Hot sauce to taste
1 cup vegetable oil
4 large, fresh, softshell crabs, cleaned
1 cup flour
Essence seasoning
½ pound fresh wild sorrel, cleaned
½ pound watercress, cleaned
12 spears fresh asparagus, cooked until
tender and chilled
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley leaves
Preparation:
Preheat your grill.
Season the ramps with olive oil, salt and pepper.
Place the ramps on the grill and cook for one or two minutes per side, or until the ramps are wilted. Remove the ramps and allow
them to cool completely.
Using a food processor with a metal blade, combine the egg, mustard,
lemon juice, garlic, hot sauce, and grilled ramps, and puree until the mixture is smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
While the machine is running, add the oil very slowly in a continuous stream. Continue processing until the mixture is thick and creamy.
Remove and chill thoroughly.
Preheat the oil in the fryer to 360 degrees.
Season the crabs and the flour with Emeril's
"Essence."
Dredge the softshells in the flour, coating them completely.
Now, holding each crab carefully at the top, drag the legs through the
hot oil for five seconds to permit the individual
legs to fry separately.
Carefully flip the crabs top side down into the hot oil. Fry until they
are golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per crab.
Drain the crabs on paper towels and season with the
"Essence."
In a mixing bowl, mix the sorrel and
the watercress. Season with salt and pepper.
Season the asparagus with a drizzle of olive
oil, and some salt and pepper.
To serve the dish, spoon some of the dressing in the center of each
of the four serving plates. Form 3 spears of
asparagus into a triangle over each pool of
dressing. Mound the greens in the center of
each triangle, then place each crab on top of
the greens.
Emeril's "Essence"
This recipe is from New New Orleans Cooking by
Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch, published by
William and Morrow, 1993.
2 ½ tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons Sea salt
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon fresh cracked pepper
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon dried leaf oregano
1 tablespoon dried thyme
Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in
an airtight jar or container. Makes about 2/3 cup.
Directions:
Softshell crabs are a rare treat, when you can find
them. Combined with ramps and fresh asparagus, they
are delicious beyond description. This recipe is
adapted from one by Emeril Lagasse. Two things to remember about this
recipe: 1.) it includes a raw egg warning,* so
use only refrigerated, clean, sound-shelled, fresh,
grade AA or A eggs. Avoid mixing yolks and whites
with the shell; and 2.) the recipe calls for
Emeril's Creole "essence" also called "Bayou Blast."
Recipe follows.