It’s a well-known fact that I am incapable of leaving a recipe alone, even once I have triple tested and blogged it. I tweak, I play, I adapt; in short I am always looking use the ingredients I have available as well as to make things even better. That’s what happened recently with my Easy Crab Linguine recipe.
Crab Linguine is a classic pasta dish and perfect for this time of year when crab is in season. When I made it his time, however, I wanted to tone down the spice in the original recipe as well as use some of the wonderful, seasonal asparagus I had found at our local farm shop.
I hadn’t intended to blog the result but as we sat down to eat it just looked so good, I found myself really wanting to share. Hence, the very un-styled photograph which was quite literally taken at the dining table just before I tucked into my supper!
This dish is incredibly easy and is literally the work of moments to put together. This is mainly because I use crab meat that has already been cooked and separated. Preparing crab can be quite a long, drawn out process and frankly I can’t face the idea of cooking a live crab. I can buy fresh crab meat quite easily in my local grocery store – I use the brand Seafood & Eat It (they have a great website but beware the very loud background music!). You can also use frozen crab for this recipe if fresh is not available locally. Just thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and make sure it is nicely shredded and separated.
Many people use both white and brown crab meat for Crab Linguine. I am not a fan of brown crab meat so I use only the white. As I can buy it separately so there is absolutely no waste. You can of course use both brown and white crab meat if you prefer.
This is a perfect date night recipe as it makes enough to serve two generously. In addition, its quick preparation and easy clean up make it perfect for dinner à deux. While one person is preparing, the other can set the table, light some candles and pour two glasses of chilled white wine. Then all you have to do is sit down together, relax and enjoy the meal. I suggest some fresh strawberries and cream for dessert. I will leave the rest of the evening up to you!
- 1 large bunch of asparagus
- a generous handful of linguine
- 3 tablespoons good mild olive oil, divided
- 1 red pepper, washed and finely diced
- 1 clove garlic, peeled and crushed or 1 teaspoon Very Lazy Garlic
- zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 4 ounces cooked white crab meat, flaked
- 4 scallions (spring onions), finely sliced
- freshly ground pepper
- Wash and drain the asparagus, snapping off the woody ends.
- Cut each spear of asparagus in two or three pieces, depending on how long they are.
- Cook the linguine in boiling salted water according to package directions.
- Add the asparagus 3 minutes before the end of the cooking time.
- Meanwhile heat the olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
- Sauté the diced red pepper for two or three minutes until it begins to soften.
- Add the garlic and continue to sauté for a minute, stirring almost constantly.
- Pour the lemon juice over and toss in the lemon rind.
- Stir and cook for a moment or two.
- Add the crab meat, scallions and remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, along with a twist or two of freshly ground pepper.
- Remove a couple of ladles of pasta water from the pasta pan and set aside.
- Drain the pasta and asparagus and return it to the saucepan.
- Stir in half of the crab 'sauce' (it's easiest to use two forks and kind of 'toss' it in), adding a bit of the pasta water to help make the 'sauce' mix in more easily.
- Divide the mixture between two or three warmed bowls or plates, topping each serving with a portion of the remaining crab sauce.
If you liked this recipe you may also enjoy my Salmon and Broccoli Stir Fry.
April, this indeed is the perfect date night meal and I can’t wait to make it for my hubbie! A local specialty here in SW Florida is our prized stone crabs and I think they would be delicious in this dish!
I’m so glad you like it, Linda, and I’m sure the stone crabs would be wonderful!
I love crab but I’m the only one who eats it. My husband works late one night a week and that’s my seafood night. This is definitely getting added to my menu!
Sounds like a great idea, Christine. It’s important to still enjoy the things you like 🙂 For the longest time I didn’t buy cherries because my husband doesn’t like them! I have no idea why I did that!!
Simple. flavorful, colorful!
Thank you, Peter 🙂
I love anything with crab in it and this pasta dish looks so fantastic. I am pinning to try this. I’d love to invite you to stop by my blog today an share some of your recipes at my Inspiration Thursday Link Party. I hope to see you there! –Lela @ http://www.inthenewhouse.com
Thank you so much, Lela! Thank you for the invitation as well. It’s kind of you to invite me!
This pasta looks mouthwatering April! My family loves crab and I’m game for anything that includes asparagus, LOL. I am featuring you this week, at Simple Supper Tuesday. We’d love for you to join us again, starting Monday night at 8pm EST.
Thank you so much, Cindy, and thank you for the feature too!
This looks soo good April! I love the flavors!
Thank you, Serena 🙂
Crab linguine looks delicious and perfect meal April, love it.
Thank you, Swathi!
This looks so amazing! I can’t wait to try it. Pinned and tweeted! Thanks for being a part of our party. I hope to see you, tonight at 7 pm. Lou Lou Girls
Thank you 🙂
Hi April,
Your crab Linguine looks fabulous we will just love it! Thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and have a great day!
Come Back Soon,
Miz Helen
Thank you so much, Miz Helen! I hope you have a great day too 🙂
I love crab and never had it with pasta, so this will be on my to do list! It sounds really good, April. Pinning to try later.
It really is delicious, Hadia, and the recipe is so easy to make. Thank you for pinning. I hope you and yours enjoy it as much as we do!