Soft-shell Crab with Citrus-Saffron Butter Sauce |
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Prep Time: 0 Minutes Cook Time: 0 Minutes |
Ready In: 0 Minutes Servings: 1 |
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Ingredients:
1 cup fresh orange juice |
1/3 cup fresh lime juice |
1 large shallot, minced |
1/4 teaspoon saffron threads, crumbled |
5 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces |
1 1/2 tablespoons minced fresh chervil, tarragon, or italian parsley |
1/4 teaspoon sea salt or kosher salt |
1/8 teaspoon ground white pepper |
8 jumbo soft-shell crabs, dressed |
1/2 cup instant-blending flour (wondra) |
1/4 cup canola or vegetable oil, divided |
freshly steamed asparagus spears |
hot cooked couscous |
Directions:
1. Bring orange juice and next 3 ingredients to a boil in a medium saucepan; boil over medium-high heat until reduced to about 1/2 cup. Reduce heat to low; whisk in butter, 1 piece at a time, until combined. Remove from heat; stir in chervil, salt, and pepper.
2. Dredge crabs in flour just until lightly coated. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. When oil is hot, add half the crabs, top-side down; sauté 2 to 3 minutes per side, until golden, adding more oil, if needed. Drain crabs on paper towels, then transfer to a baking sheet in a 200° oven to keep warm. Repeat with remaining oil and crabs.
3. Serve crabs with asparagus and couscous; drizzle with the butter sauce.
4. Did somebody say citrus-saffron? Sounds like a classic template for Sauvignon Blanc. Compared to light, lean versions from France, Artesa Sauvignon Blanc Reserve ($25), like many American versions, tends to have a bit more creaminess that pairs well with the rich sautéed crab. But it will also have plenty of the grape's characteristic herbalness- a satisfying match with the asparagus, whose unusual taste often makes it a problem-child for wine. -Mark Oldman
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