It’s always a drag getting caught up at work after time away, but we got a bit of good news yesterday which melted my stress right away. I didn’t have anything specific planned for dinner, so when I swung through the market at Grand Central to pick up provisions, I decided to splurge a bit. I picked up a pound of lump crab meat and a container of crème fraiche at Wild Edibles, remembering the box of frozen artichoke hearts at home in the freezer, with thoughts of combining them in a rich and creamy gratin. I took the ‘chokes out to thaw when I arrived home and got to work on the rest of the dish. I spooned the crème fraiche into a large bowl and lightened it with the juice of half a Meyer lemon. I seasoned it with a bit of kosher salt and added a copious amount of chopped fresh herbs – thyme, chervil and chives. I picked through the crab meat and added that to the bowl, then added my thawed, drained artichoke hearts, folding the mixture gently. I divided it into two buttered baking dishes and topped each serving with some grated Fontina cheese, then baked them in a 400 degree oven until they were browned and bubbly – about 25 minutes or so. This gratin was definitely luxurious and very good, though next time I think I’ll go a little heavier on the lemon juice to balance out the creaminess of the crab.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
This sounds delicious! I’m always looking for yummy crab recipes. This is one I’ll be trying in the near future.
This sounds so good right now while I’m working away in my office….definitely a luxury but one that might have to happen in my kitchen very soon…Thanks for the idea!
Isn’t crab the best?
And, that combo looks and sounds like it’s right up my ally.
You’re always making the best stuff up on the fly.
Kudos.
Unless it’s pie…it’s by-the-book for moi…slave to recipe!
This looks fantastic! What a great idea!
sounds incredible. and actually pretty easy – I would have had fun just creating something on a whim for dinner like that.
Thank you
You’ve just given me an idea…soon after proposing to me up at Grouse Mountain in Vancouver, my now-husband and I ate crab and artichoke dip looking down at the cold, twinkly ligts of the city. It’s his birthday soon, and guess what we’ll be having? Yup.
and so like this is the part where i say
wow jennifer
amazing, delicious, beautiful
the end
Carol B. – I don’t eat crab as often as I’d like, but it is one of my favorite things.
Jade – You’re welcome!
Sarah – It totally is, and thanks!
Christine – Thank you!
melissa – I started thinking about some baby artichokes I did a while back stuffed with crabmeat, and figured this was a nice way to do that combo on a larger scale.
Marie – Oh, that’s so wonderful and romantic!
claudia – Thanks, hon.
Dear me that looks good. I would never think to combine crab/cream/chokes. What a good idea! Thanks!
ann – I love love love crab and artichokes together. One of my favorite combos!
Oooh you’re a genius! Talk about a last minute meal! That looks and sounds delicious!
Thanks, Hillary!