Cheesy Crabby Swirls

I still had some crab meat that I eager wanted to make something with and I had a puff pastry sheet I've been wanting to use. I didn't feel like making something sweet with it. Maybe something I can snack on. Think back on those Bell Pepper Swirls, but with crab and minus the bell pepper. Sounds good, right?

I rolled out the dough, sprinkled on some cheese then the crab and tried to roll it as tightly as I can. I say tried as it can be a bit tricky sometimes to roll up the dough without is ripping on you. Then when I cut it all the filling falls out. But I managed to keep them in tact. Phew.

I pressed them lightly to get them in that disc shape. One had subtly exploded in the oven while they backed though. That didn't matter. It was still awesome! I had these as my dinner, but they can be as an appetizer or something to share with others. It's some cheesy crabby goodness

Makes 8-10 swirls depending on thickness.

Cheesy Crabby Swirls
5 oz crab meat
Shredded Cheese
1 puff pastry

Preheat your oven to 357˚F

Roll out the puff pastry on a floured surface and roll it out lightly. Spread the cheese and crab meat on the puff pastry and roll tightly length-wise.

Cut into 8 or 10 rolls and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Press down on the swirls to make them into disc shapes.

Bake for 15-20 min.

 

 

Baked Crabby Patty

What's one of the first things that come to mind when someone mentions crab? For me, it's crab cakes. Or boiled crab. Whichever comes first. Yum!!!! The term "crabby patty" is commonly heard on the cartoon Spongebob Squarepants. These little patties are my crabby patties. A baked version. No oily aftertaste and the taste of the crab comes through. A simple mixture of chopped green onions, fresh fill, egg, paprika and panko. Baked it, then Sprinkle a little shredded cheese and melted it in the broiler for a minute or two. Placed it on a toasted slice of wheat baguette.

A simple easy meal. Two were enough for me. Though, I did make them nice and plump. So I guess that's why they filled me up good. Or was is the full bottle of water I had with it. Either way... I'm lovin' these crabby patties. Delicious.

Makes 4 palm-size patties.

Baked Crabby Patty

5-6oz crab meat
1 tsp fresh dill - chopped
2 green onion - chopped
1 Tbsp paprika
1 egg - beaten
1 1/2 c panko crumbs
1 tsp dry parsley
1/2 c shredded cheese (your choice)
Sour cream - optional

In a bow, combine the crab meat, dill, green onions, paprika, egg, parsley and 1/2 c of the panko crumbs.

Dive into 4 mini patties and let them chill for 30 min in the fridge to let them settle together.

Preheat your oven to 357˚F.

Take the patties from the fridge and coat them with the remaining panko crumbs.

Place on a lightly greased making sheet and bake for 10 min.

After 10min, turn your broiler on and transfer the baking sheet into the broiler to give the top an even browning.  Roughly 2-3 min. Then top with the shredded cheese and let it melt for 1 min.

Place on top of slices of french bread and top with a little sour cream.

Opo in a Roasted Eggplant Sauce

Opo. Aside from it being a word in the Philippine language, it is also a type of long squash with a taste similar to a zucchini. Actually, in the Philippines it's called Upo. These green veggies can grow from 6-inches to 36-inches long and as thick as having a 12-inch diameter. From the pic below, I think I got 4-5 pounder that was roughly a foot or so longer. It's also goes by another name Bottle Gourd. You can find out more about this squash here. Those suckers can get HUGE.

Anyway, I turned this giant squash into spaghetti strips using my little handy-dandy do-dad with melon baller attached. You can use a grater also to cut them into strips. Just grate them lengthwise.



I sauteed the strips in a little olive oil and minced garlic.  For the sauce, I roasted the eggplant then pureed it in the food processor. After, I combined it with some sour cream, chopped green onion, herbs and some shredded crab meat. The crab is optional, if you want to keep this dish purely vegetarian. Then I mixed it all together and presto. Veggie noodles in sauce. You can use zucchini if you're not able to find opo in any markets.

Don't mind its appearance, but trust me when I say this really tastes super good and healthy, too.

Serves 2

Opo in an Roasted Eggplant Sauce


1 large Opo or 2-3 large zucchini - shaved into strips

Eggplant Sauce:
1 large eggplant
3-4 Tbsp sour cream
1 green onion - finely chopped
1 garlic clove minced
1 tsp dry parsley
extra virgin olive oil
salt
pepper

1/2 c chopped crab meat - cooked and free of any shell (optional)


Preheat your broiler.

Divide the eggplant in half and lightly drizzle and coat them with some olive oil. Place on a baking sheet and broil until browned and roasted. Roughly 5-6 minutes.

Remove from the oven and let them cool before scooping out the flesh from the skins. Mash them really well or pureé them in the food processor. Place in a bowl and add the sour cream, parsley, green onion and the optional crab meat. Season with a little salt and pepper.  Set aside.

Cut the opo or zucchini in half and scoop out the seeds. Shave the halves into thin spaghetti like strips. Or shred them into pieces. You may peel them from the skins, if you prefer.

Once you've shaved them, drizzle a little olive oil in a pan and saute the garlic for 30 sec, then add the opo /zucchini strips and saute them as well for a few minutes until they are tender.  Roughly 5 min.

Then add the eggplant sauce mixture and combine well. Stir occasionally for another 3-5 min.

Serve warm.