Boiled Snow Crab

We like to get crab when it is on sale and freeze it for special occasions. This is a rare treat.

Ingredients:

Snow Crab

Crab boil:

• 1 teaspoon yellow mustard seeds
• 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
• 2 teaspoons whole allspice
• 1 teaspoon whole cloves
  
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 3 bay leaves
• Salt and cayenne pepper

Directions:

Mix spices and pour into pot of boiling water. Toss in crab and cook 5-6 minutes. Fresh non-precooked crab needs to cook about 20 minutes until the crab turns red. Most crab purchased in American supermarkets is already pre-cooked when you buy it in the store, so you are merely heating it through and flavoring it. This can be served hot with lemon and clarified butter, or it can be chilled and served on salad.

Tuna Sandwiches

My aunt Grace asked me to make tuna sandwiches for the lunch held the day of the joint memorial service for her husband and my mother. I made the version below, minus the cucumber slices. Just as I was ready to actually assemble the sandwiches aunt Grace handed me some of her sweet green tomato relish and suggested I add a teaspoon. I dutifully did so. I had never heard of sweet green tomato relish. Secretly, I thought YUK! However, my mom taught me to eat what was served and look for a way to compliment the chef. This time I was the chef, but my aunt was the head chef. I tried the sandwiches, I was surprised and yes I had another sandwich. The flavor was an unexpected delight! That is what I get for being brave;)

Ingredients
1- 6 oz. can tuna drained
1 thin slice of onion, finely chopped
1 stalk of celery finely chopped
Kraft mayonnaise
onion salt

Optional
1 teaspoon sweet green tomato pickle relish (this adds a sweet zip)

Toppings
cucumber slices
lettuce leaf
whole wheat bread slices


Directions
Drain tuna. Slice and chop the onion slice. Chop the celery stalk. Combine tuna, onion, and celery. Add mayo and mix to desired spreading consistency. Onion salt to taste and mix well. Optional: add sweet green tomato relish, mix well. Spread on whole wheat bread, top with cucumber slices, a lettuce leaf, and a second slice of whole wheat bread. Slice the sandwich diagonally and serve!

Donna's Tuna Salad

Ingredients:
1 lb small shell macaroni (or substitute any other macaroni)
1- 6 oz. can tuna, drained (or 2 cans depending on your preference)
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup frozen peas, rinsed
1/8 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 cup grated cheese (cheddar, Colby, or Colby/Jack)
Kraft Mayonnaise (or half and half with plain yogurt, or ranch dressing)
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
Cook macaroni to package instructions, rinse, and drain. Drain fluid from tuna. Chop celery. Rinse peas in cold water to thaw. Finely chop onion. Grate cheese. Mix ingredients in large bowl. Gently stir in mayo/dressing to desired consistency. Season to taste, chill for one hour or longer, serve.

Grilled Lobster Tails

Ingredients:
3-6 frozen lobster tails (thaw on defrost setting of microwave, 3-5 minutes per pound, and let sit for 3 minutes)
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (not bottled lemon juice)
1 tablespoon dill
1/4 teaspoon ground sea salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper (multi-colored peppercorns are the best)

Directions:
Heat grill to med-high. Cut lobster tails in half lengthwise and butterfly open. Mix: oil, lemon juice, dill, salt and pepper in a bowl. brush on tails and cook 2.5 -3.5 minutes per side, depends on the size of the tails.

Serving Suggestion: When served with steak, a lobster tail can feed two people.

Donna's Shrimp Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

1 lb bag of shell or Rotini pasta, cooked, rinsed, and cooled
2 cups salad shrimp. de-veined and rinsed
1 cup diced celery
1/4 diced yellow onion
1 cup rinsed frozen peas (or fresh garden peas cooked to brighten color, do not over cook)
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
1/2 cup cubed swiss cheese
1/3 cup Good Season's Zesty Italian made with red wine vinegar or raspberry vinegar.

Directions:

Put all ingredients in a large bowl and mix thoroughly. Chill one hour.