Premium Maryland Blue Crab with Sauce Grand-Père

Soon will come the Maryland blue crab season and a time of year when I like to prepare this extraordinary and very delicious dish.

Serves four

30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 fresh blue crabs (from Maryland if possible)
• 1 bouquet garni (fresh bay leaf, thyme, sage, tied with waxless kitchen string)
• 1 spice crab boil bag (Zatarain's Crawfish, Shrimp & Crab Boil)
• 1 cup white wine (preferably dry Riesling)
• 2 oz of ox-eye daisy capers (or organic capers) coarsely diced
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• 2 fresh shallots (finely chopped)
• 6 skinless tomatoes (canned, organic) crushed.
• fine salt
• coarse sea salt
• juice of 1 lemon
• cracked pink & white pepper
• flat leaf Italian parsley
• 1 oz butter
• 2 oz olive oil (virgin and organic)

Recipe:

In a large saucepan, boil enough water to completely submerge your crabs.

When the water boils, add the bouquet garni, the spice bag, and a pinch of coarse salt.
Adjust heat to low and let the water simmer for 5 minutes. Remove the bag and let the water simmer over medium heat.

In a large sauté pan over medium heat, add butter and a teaspoon of olive oil.

When the butter is slightly melted, add in the shallots, and stir gently with a wooden spoon and until they are blonde. Add your white wine, stir, and let reduce (while stirring) until evaporated to 3/4 of the liquid.
Add tomatoes, capers, lemon juice, salt, & pepper. Stir well and let boil for 2 minutes and add the vegetable broth. Let reduce by half at medium heat.

During this time, completely submerge crabs into simmering water preparation, and leave the crabs for 5 minutes.

Gently remove the crabs from the water (Chinese Strainer or kitchen tongs)

Place on a paper towel, then cut them in half lengthwise.

On a hot plate, pour the sauce with a ladle and place your crab on top. Garnish with fresh parsley.

Recommended side dishes:

Basmati rice and green asparagus

Wine Pairing:

- Clos Saron  Carte Blanche 2019, Oregon House, North Yuba, Siera Foothills, CA (coming soon)

- North Yuba Cecelia 2020, Oregon House, North Yuba, Siera Foothills, CA (coming soon

- Kivelstadt Cellars, Twice Removed Rosé 2020, Mendocino, Napa, CA

- Bonny Doon Vineyard, Vin Gris de Cigare "Reserve" 2016, Santa Cruz, Central Coast , CA