Crab Toast With Lemon Aioli Recipe 45

Steps:

• In a small sauce pot, brown the butter over medium heat, swirling the pot, until the butter is caramel-colored and has a nutty fragrance, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl, scraping up all the milk solids from the bottom and sides of the pot while the butter is still hot, and let cool to room temperature.
• Place the egg and egg yolk, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, a healthy pinch of salt and 1 tablespoon cold water in the bowl of a food processor. With the processor running, slowly drizzle in the grapeseed oil. Once all the oil has been added, the mayonnaise should be loose yet emulsified. While the processor is still running, slowly drizzle in the brown butter and any toasted milk solids. Season to taste with salt and set aside.
• For the crab salad, gently and quickly mix crab meat, olive oil, chives, crème fraîche and remaining 1 teaspoon lemon juice together in a bowl. Season to taste with salt.
• Schmear each piece of toasted bread with the brown butter mayonnaise evenly - as we like to say, "wall to wall." Divide the crab mixture among the slices, piling it evenly on top.

Steps:

• Whisk egg yolk, garlic, lemon zest and juice, mustard, and a large pinch of salt in a medium bowl. Whisking constantly, slowly drizzle in oil, drop by drop at first, until aioli is thickened and smooth; season with salt and more lemon juice, if desired. DO AHEAD: Aioli can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Toss crabmeat, fennel fronds, 1 chile, and 2 tablespoons oil in a medium bowl. Season with salt; add more chile, if desired. Drizzle both sides of bread with remaining 4 tablespoons oil, and working in batches, toast in a large skillet over medium-high heat until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Spread each piece of toast with 1 tablespoon aioli. Top with crabmeat; cut each toast into 4 pieces. Place a small dab of aioli in center of each piece; serve with lemon wedges. (Extra aioli can be used for dressings or dips.) DO AHEAD: Crabmeat mixture can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and chill.

Steps:

• Make the crab cakes: Whisk together mayonnaise, mustard, egg, egg yolk and lemon zest and juice in a large bowl. Mix in 2 cups of almond meal, scallions and herbs until thoroughly combined. Gently fold in crab. Season with salt and white pepper, cover with plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the aioli: Combine egg yolks, mustard, garlic and lemon zest and juice in a blender or food processor and purée until smooth. With machine running, slowly drizzle in the grapeseed oil a few drops at a time until the mixture begins to thicken. Gradually increase the oil to a thin, steady stream, blending to a uniform creamy consistency. If aioli breaks, drizzle in a little lukewarm water a few drops at a time until consistency is reached again. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Will keep 2 days or more in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• Mix remaining 2/3 cup almond meal and cornmeal in a pie plate and season lightly with salt and pepper. Divide crab mixture into 12 equal portions and form into 2-inch patties. Coat in almond-cornmeal mixture.
• Heat 1/4 cup canola or grapeseed oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until the oil is hot but not smoking, about 2 minutes. Cook crab cakes in batches, 3 to 4 minutes per side until deep golden brown and crisp, wiping out the skillet and adding fresh oil between the batches. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined tray. Crab cakes can be kept warm in a 200-degree oven for up to 30 minutes.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• For the crab cakes: Carefully pick through the crabmeat, removing any hard cartilage and small pieces of shell. Transfer to a medium bowl. Stir in the panko, mayonnaise, chives, preserved lemon, lemon zest, egg white, 1/2 teaspoon salt and few grinds of black pepper until well combined. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled through, about 15 minutes.
• For the toast: Meanwhile, use a 2-inch round biscuit cutter or ring mold to cut out 12 rounds of bread, then transfer to a rimmed baking sheet (reserve the 2-inch cutter for shaping the crab cakes). Melt the butter and Aleppo in a small saucepan over medium heat. Brush some of the butter mixture on each piece of bread. Bake until lightly toasted, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter.
• For the Aleppo-lemon mayo: Stir together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, Aleppo and a pinch of salt in a small bowl until smooth. Set aside for serving.
• Divide the crab cake mixture into 12 portions, then press each portion individually into the 2-inch round biscuit cutter to shape into a cake the same size as the toast (the crab cakes should be about 1/4 inch thick).
• Heat the butter and canola oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the crab cakes and cook until warmed through and golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes per side.
• For serving: Place a crab cake on top of each toast round. Top with a small dollop of the Aleppo-lemon mayo, a couple of pieces of preserved lemon and a chive.