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Crab Toasts with Asparagus

Bright, crisp asparagus pairs perfectly with sweet, delicate crab atop crusty bread.

Ingredients:  

  • ½ ounce dried porcini mushrooms about ½ cup, finely ground
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • ¼ cup plus 3 tablespoons hot water divided
  • 2 ½ teaspoons dry sherry or white wine
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt divided, plus more to taste
  • ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • ¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • ¼ cup rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 4 ounces asparagus trimmed and thinly shaved on an angle (about 1 cup)
  • 12 ounces fresh lump crabmeat picked over
  • 3 tablespoons sour cream
  • Lemon zest plus 2 ½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice divided
  • 6 small sourdough bread slices about 3/4 inch thick, toasted
  • Thinly sliced chives for garnish

Instructions: 

  • Combine finely ground porcini mushrooms, egg yolk, 3 tablespoons hot water, sherry, ½ teaspoon salt, and mustard in a food processor. With the processor running, gradually drizzle in oil, and process until mixture is creamy, about 45 seconds, stopping to scrape down sides as needed. Transfer to a small bowl, and season with salt to taste. Set mushroom aioli aside at room temperature until ready to use.
  • Bring rice vinegar, sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, and remaining ¼ cup hot water to a simmer in a small skillet over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve sugar. Remove from heat, and stir in asparagus. Let stand until asparagus is slightly softened, 5 to 8 minutes. Drain asparagus and pat dry with paper towels.
  • Gently toss together crabmeat, sour cream, lemon juice, and remaining ½ teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Fold in pickled asparagus, reserving about ¼ cup asparagus for garnish.
  • Spread mushroom aioli evenly over each toast slice (about 2 ½ tablespoons each). Top evenly with crab mixture (about 1/3 cup each). Garnish with reserved ¼ cup pickled asparagus, lemon zest, and chives. Serve immediately.

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