Maine Peekytoe Crab Salad

Yield: 1 portion
Peekytoe crab – 2 oz.
Fresh lemon juice – 1 1/2 Tbsp.
Extra virgin olive oil – 3 Tbsp.
Chives, chopped – 1/2 Tbsp.
Salt, pepper – to taste
Mesclun greens – 1 cup
Golden beets, diced – 1/4 cup
Bosc pears, diced – 1/4 cup
Hazelnuts, roasted, chopped – 2 Tbsp.
Shallots, chopped – 2 Tbsp.
Red beet oil – (see note) garnish

Method:-

  1. Combine crab, 1/2 tsp. lemon juice, 1 Tbsp. oil, chives and salt and pepper.
  2. In separate bowl, combine greens, 1 Tbsp. oil, 1/2 Tbsp. lemon juice and salt and pepper.
  3. In another bowl, combine beets, pears, nuts, shallots, 1/2 tsp. lemon juice, 1 Tbsp. oil and salt and pepper.
  4. To assemble: Place beet mixture in bottom of ring mold. Add crab mixture to mold. Remove ring. Place greens on top. Garnish plate with beet oil.

Note: To make beet oil, juice 3 large red beets. Boil to reduce to syrup. Whisk in 3 parts light oil to 1 part syrup.