Little luxuries

by Jennifer Hess on February 27, 2008

in artichokes,crab

Dinner:  February 26, 2008

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 }

1 Carol B. February 27, 2008 at 2:33 pm

This sounds delicious! I’m always looking for yummy crab recipes. This is one I’ll be trying in the near future.

2 Jade February 27, 2008 at 2:39 pm

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!

3 Brooklyn Bitch February 27, 2008 at 3:23 pm

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!

4 Christine February 27, 2008 at 3:27 pm

This looks fantastic! What a great idea!

5 melissa February 27, 2008 at 7:20 pm

sounds incredible. and actually pretty easy – I would have had fun just creating something on a whim for dinner like that.

6 Marie February 27, 2008 at 8:03 pm

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.

7 claudia at 'cook eat FRET' February 27, 2008 at 9:12 pm

and so like this is the part where i say
wow jennifer
amazing, delicious, beautiful

the end

8 Jennifer Hess February 28, 2008 at 2:04 pm

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. :D

9 ann February 29, 2008 at 8:31 am

Dear me that looks good. I would never think to combine crab/cream/chokes. What a good idea! Thanks!

10 Jennifer Hess March 3, 2008 at 11:39 am

ann – I love love love crab and artichokes together. One of my favorite combos!

11 Hillary March 4, 2008 at 3:54 pm

Oooh you’re a genius! Talk about a last minute meal! That looks and sounds delicious!

12 Jennifer Hess March 5, 2008 at 1:43 pm

Thanks, Hillary!

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