Ultimate Ladies' Lunch Recipe: West Indies Salad Recipe
Ultimate Ladies' Lunch Recipe: West Indies Salad

by Nealey Dozier

Being the proper Southern lady, I'm obligated to put on my pearls, brush my hair, and show up with a smile on my face and gift in my hand.

I may secretly be wanting to crawl out of the nearest window, but there is always one thing that keeps me coming back for more. That's good food, and lots of it. The ladies-who-lunch crowd doesn't mess around when it comes to hosting a swell party. Knorr's spinach dip, chicken salad sandwiches, and ambrosia are guaranteed to make an obligatory appearance. (Hey, no complaints here!)

One of my all-time favorites is the West Indies Salad. It's the ultimate ladies lunch. The zesty crab salad was first concocted in Mobile, Ala. by chef Bill Bayley in 1947. For years the recipe remained a well-guarded secret until it was later outed in a Mobile Junior League cookbook. Once revealed, the recipe's popularity down South spread like wildfire. And why not? It's light, easily made ahead and always a crowd-pleaser.

So whether you are entertaining for 10 or for two, I highly recommend this girly delight. Just don't forget the saltines! Served with a few mimosas? Well, even I might start playing pin-a-tail-on-the-baby....

West Indies Salad Recipe

Serves 4 to 6

1 pound (16 ounces) fresh lump crabmeat

1 small sweet onion, chopped fine

1/2 cup canola oil

1/3 cup cider vinegar

1/2 teaspoon salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)

1/2 cup ice cold water

Scatter half of the chopped onion in the bottom of a serving bowl. Add half of the crabmeat. Layer remaining onion followed by remaining crabmeat.

Combine canola oil, cider vinegar, salt, pepper and cayenne and whisk thoroughly. Pour over the crabmeat and onion mixture, followed by the ice water. Press mixture down gently with a spoon. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or up to 24 hours.

Serve on a pile of butter lettuce with saltine crackers. Garnish with sliced lemons and oranges, if desired.

 

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