Fresh Crab Salad PLUS Roasted Garlic White Bean Dip

A couple more picnic or dining Al Fresco ideas:

Fresh Crab Salad:
(makes 4 appetizer-size servings)

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 T. white wine vinegar
2 T. water
1/2* t. coarse sea salt*, to taste
1/4* t. sugar
2 pinches of celery seeds, finely ground in a mortar and pestle
1 large rib of celery, halved lengthwise and sliced very thinly on the bias (3/4 cup)
2 T. sour cream or plain Greek yogurt*
1 T. light* mayo
8 oz. fresh (non-pasteurized) blue crab meat (lump, backfin or claw, or combination thereof) -
     if you can't find blue crab, any fresh crab will work*
1 T. fresh garlic* chives, finely chopped
Freshly ground black pepper
Belgian endive leaves
Paprika
Fresh flat leaf parsley sprigs

In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, vinegar, water, salt, sugar and ground celery seeds. add the celery; the liquid should completely cover the sliced celery. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 30 mins. Drain the celery, reserving the liquid. In a med. bowl, whisk the sour cream and ma. with 1 T. of the celery liquid until thoroughly combined. Flake the crab meat into the dressing, and the celery and the chives, and stir to combine. Season to taste with S&P and reserved celery liquid. The tastes best when flavors meld; refrigerate for at least one hour - tho. not more than 24 - and remove from fridge 30 mins. before serving to bring to room temp. Serve on endive leaves. Garnish with paprika and a small sprig of parsley.

Smoky Roasted Garlic White Bean Dip:

2 cups cannelini beans (canned or cooked)
1/2  cup reserved liquid from the cooker or can
1 t. rosemary, chopped
1 head garlic, roasted
EVOO
Sea* salt
1 T. balsamic vinegar
Freshly ground pepper*
1/4 t. smoked paprika*

To roast garlic, cut the top off a garlic head, drizzle with olive oik, and sprinkle with salt. Wrap in foil and roast in a 425 oven for 45 mins. or until tender and golden brown. Using a food processor or blender*, puree beans, rosemary pump from the roasted garlic and balsamic vinegar. Add liquid a little at a time until you've reached a desired consistency S&P to taste, and sprinkle with smoked paprika.

Have a blast today!!!!!!

Love,

MM