Crabmeat Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette In Avocado Halves

This crabmeat salad with lemon vinaigrette in avocado halves recipe is a fresh take on seafood-and-avocado salad.

Elegant, refreshing, and packed with flavor, this Crabmeat Salad in Avocado Halves recipe is a light seafood dish that pairs tender crab with creamy avocado and a bright lemon vinaigrette. It's a perfect choice for warm-weather dining, brunch, or a sophisticated starter that feels indulgent yet healthy.

Say the words "seafood and avocado salad" and you can bet money on the picture that will form in the minds of most people: half of a pitted avocado sitting in a bowl or teetering on a plate, its hollow filled with a big scoop of shrimp or crabmeat, or maybe smoked fish or canned tuna, mixed with some chopped celery and maybe a little onion and herbs, all bound together with lots of mayonnaise.

Isn't that something you've seen, and maybe eaten, so many times that you're likely to pass it over in favor of something lighter and fresher?

So, I'm happy to offer you a lighter and fresher approach to this classic combination. And it may also give you an insight into how to create and cook like a professional chef by looking closely at a recipe, taking it apart, and then putting it back together in a way that reflects your own tastes and how people like to eat today.

Let's begin with the seafood mixture itself. Who says that a crabmeat salad mixture has to contain great big dollops of mayonnaise? Or, for a change of pace, that it has to be drenched in that old standby, mayo-based Thousand Island dressing? Don't get me wrong, though. I love mayonnaise. But sometimes it can mask flavors. And when it comes to sweet, delicate fresh seafood, many people now prefer to experience those natural flavors and textures. That's why in this recipe I mix the fresh crabmeat with a light lemon vinaigrette, which also works well with other kinds of seafood such as shrimp, bay scallops, or any flaked leftover fish fillet you might have in your refrigerator.

Using a pitted avocado half as a vessel for serving the crabmeat mixture is now a time-honored trick. But, especially for an appetizer, that can be a lot of avocado. So, for my reinvention, I literally turn things upside-down, mounding the crabmeat on a chilled plate and then draping a generous but not overwhelming portion of avocado slices over the seafood.

Fresh herbs are a natural garnish for seafood salads. But, in the past, that all too often meant a sprig of curly parsley placed on top. For this recipe, however, I use a mixture of herbs: fresh, broad-leafed Italian parsley, more flavorful than the curly variety; mildly oniony chives; and brisk-tasting basil. For a final burst of flavor, I also drizzle the finished salad with some Pistou, the southern French cousin to pesto sauce, a quick puree of fresh basil leaves, garlic, and olive oil.

Though simply and quickly put together, this Crabmeat Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette in Avocado Halves recipe adds up to a presentation that seems at once familiar and refreshingly new.

What Makes This Crabmeat Salad Recipe Special

    This dish combines tender crabmeat, ripe avocado, and zesty lemon vinaigrette for a perfect balance of creamy, fresh, and bright flavors. Ideal for entertaining or as a gourmet yet healthy meal you can prepare in minutes.

Crabmeat Salad With Pistou & Lemon Vinaigrette in Avocado Halves

    Prep Time: 20 minutes

    Cook time: 15 minutes

    Yield: Serves 6

Crabmeat Salad With Pistou & Lemon Vinaigrette in Avocado Halves Ingredients

    For the Lemon Vinaigrette

    1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

    1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

    1 teaspoon sugar

    Pinch salt

    Pinch ground white pepper

    3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

    For the Pistou

    1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

    1 garlic clove, peeled

    1/2 cup packed fresh basil leaves

    Pinch salt

    For the Crabmeat Salad

    12 ounces fresh cooked lump crabmeat

    1 tablespoon minced fresh chives

    1 tablespoon julienned fresh basil leaves

    1 tablespoon minced fresh Italian parsley

    Salt

    3 ripe Hass avocados

Crabmeat Salad With Pistou & Lemon Vinaigrette in Avocado Halves Instructions

    Prepare the Lemon Vinaigrette in advance and refrigerate until ready to serve.

    Shortly before serving, prepare the Pistou and set aside.

    With clean hands, carefully sort through the crabmeat, feeling with your fingertips to remove any pieces of shell or cartilage while separating the crabmeat into large flakes and placing it in a mixing bowl. Add half each of the chives, basil, and parsley, along with 4 tablespoons of the Lemon Vinaigrette. Toss lightly but thoroughly, adding a little salt to taste, if necessary. Cover and set aside.

    Halve and pit the avocados. Using a tablespoon inserted between the peel and flesh, carefully scoop out each half in one piece from its peel. Place cut side down on a clean cutting board and, with a sharp knife, cut lengthwise into thin slices. With your palm, gently press down to separate and spread out the slices.

    Mound equal portions of the crab salad in the centers of 6 chilled appetizer plates. Carefully lifting the avocado slices with a spatula, drape an equal portion of them over each mound of crab salad.

    Lightly drizzle a little Lemon Vinaigrette over and around each serving, refrigerating the rest for another use. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of Pistou over and around each serving, refrigerating the rest for another use. Garnish with the remaining fresh herbs and serve immediately.

    Lemon Vinaigrette

    Put the lemon juice, lemon zest, sugar, salt, and pepper in a sealable airtight jar or other container. Cover tightly and shake until the sugar and salt have dissolved. Open the jar, add the oil, close again, and shake well. Refrigerate until ready to use.

    Pistou

    Put the olive oil and garlic clove in a blender. Process until the garlic is pureed and fully blended with the oil. Add the basil leaves and salt and turn the blender on and off until the basil is coarsely pureed and thoroughly blended with the oil and garlic. Set aside.

Available at Amazon.com:

Be Good to Your Gut: Recipes and Tips for People With Digestive Problems

Big Green Cookbook: Hundreds of Planet-Pleasing Recipes and Tips for a Luscious, Low-Carbon Lifestyle

Savory Baking

Stonewall Kitchen Breakfast

Favorite Salad Recipes

    Wolfgang's Caesar Salad

    A classic Caesar Salad with crisp romaine, crunchy croutons, and a zesty homemade dressing. Topped with fresh Parmesan for an extra burst of flavor.

    Salad Nicoise

    This salad recipe incorporates Niçoise olives and fresh ingredients, making it a refreshing alternative with a bold Mediterranean touch.

    Asparagus, Smoked Salmon & Quinoa Salad

    Fresh, vibrant, and packed with protein, this Asparagus, Smoked Salmon & Quinoa Salad is a perfect balance of flavor and nutrition. Tender asparagus spears, flaky smoked salmon, and fluffy quinoa come together in a light yet satisfying dish.

    Greek Salad: Simplicity at its Best

    What makes a great Greek Salad? The best quality ingredients, pure and simple. This authentic Greek Salad recipe features a simpler mix based on Cookbook author Tessa Kiros' perfect and classic Salata Horiatiki

    Caesar Salad with Roasted Capers

    A flavorful twist on the classic Caesar Salad, featuring crispy roasted capers instead of croutons for an added burst of briny crunch.

    Cantaloupe and Prosciutto Salad

    Sweet, salty, and perfectly refreshing -- this Cantaloupe and Prosciutto Salad is a summer classic that's as elegant as it is easy to make!

    Cauliflower, Fennel and White Bean Winter Salad

    Hearty, nourishing, and packed with flavor, this Cauliflower, Fennel, and White Bean Winter Salad is the perfect recipe to keep you satisfied during the colder months.

    Chicken and White Bean Salad

    This Chicken and White Bean Salad is a light, protein-packed meal featuring tender chicken, hearty white beans, fresh herbs, and a zesty dressing. Perfect for lunch or dinner!

    Colorful Lentil Salad with Walnuts and Herbs

    Brighten up your plate with a burst of color and flavor with this Colorful Lentil Salad with Walnuts and Herbs. Packed with protein-rich lentils, crunchy walnuts, and fresh herbs, this salad is a nutritious and satisfying addition to any meal.

    Confetti Cucumber and Radish Salad Recipe

    Add a burst of color and crunch to your meal with this Confetti Cucumber and Radish Salad. Crisp cucumbers and vibrant radishes come together with a light, tangy vinaigrette for a refreshing side dish or appetizer that's perfect for any occasion

    Crab Louie with Thousand Island Dressing and Fresh Tomato Relish

    Wolfgang Puck's Crab Louie Salad recipe is a refreshing seafood dish that combines sweet crabmeat, crisp lettuce, creamy Thousand Island dressing, and a vibrant tomato relish. This elegant and satisfying salad is perfect for lunch, brunch, or a light summer dinner with gourmet flair.

Discover a variety of Salad recipes, from classic to creative twists: iHaveNet Salad Recipes

 

Subscribe to Receive our Gourmet Recipes


Wolfgang Pucl's Crabmeat Salad Recipe with Lemon Vinaigrette in Avocado Halves

World-renowned chefs with an extraordinary passion for food share their passion on iHaveNet.com. These chefs make great cooking easier than imagined. Each gourmet recipe features expert advice and an easy-to-make recipe. Exactly what you need to transform your home cooking from acceptable to delectable

© Tribune Media Services