Zesty Curried Crab and Watermelon Arugula Salad
Elevate your culinary experience with this vibrant Zesty Curried Crab and Watermelon Arugula Salad. This unique dish combines the sweetness of juicy watermelon triangles with succulent lump crab meat, all brought together with a fragrant, creamy curried dressing. Enhanced with fresh herbs and peppery arugula, this salad not only tantalizes the taste buds but also makes for an eye-catching presentation perfect for summer gatherings or a light lunch. Enjoy a delightful balance of flavors and textures that leave a lasting impression.
4
Servings
129
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons (divided)
Granny Smith apple
2 tablespoons (finely chopped)
onion
1 tablespoon (finely chopped)
mild curry powder
1 1/2 teaspoons
saffron thread
1 pinch (crumbled)
water
1 teaspoon
mayonnaise
1/2 cup
cilantro
1 tablespoon (finely chopped)
mint
1 tablespoon (finely chopped)
salt
to taste
black pepper
to taste (freshly ground)
lump crabmeat
1 lb (picked over for shell)
watermelon
4 slices (half inch thick, rind removed and cut into triangles)
fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons
arugula
1 bunch (washed and dried)
Instructions
1
In a small saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat until shimmering.
2
Add the finely chopped apple, onion, curry powder, and crumbled saffron to the pan. Cook, stirring, until the onion is softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
3
Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon of water. Allow the mixture to cool slightly.
4
Transfer the cooled onion and curry mixture to a food processor. Add the mayonnaise and blend until the mixture is smooth.
5
In a medium bowl, combine the curried mayonnaise with the chopped cilantro and mint. Gently fold in the lump crabmeat, being careful to keep the chunks of crab intact. Season lightly with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
6
Prepare the watermelon by cutting each slice into triangles. Arrange the watermelon on plates and season each piece with a pinch of salt and pepper, then drizzle with 1 teaspoon of lime juice.
7
Spoon the curried crab salad generously over the watermelon triangles.
8
In a separate bowl, toss the washed and dried arugula with the remaining 1 tablespoon of lime juice and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
9
Serve the arugula salad over the crab-topped watermelon, and enjoy your elegant dish!
Nutrition Information
8g
Fat
7g
Carbs
8g
Protein
0.5g
Fiber
2g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary protein in the Zesty Curried Crab and Watermelon Arugula Salad?
The primary protein used in this recipe is one pound of lump crabmeat, carefully picked over for shells.
How many servings does this crab and watermelon salad recipe make?
This recipe is designed to yield 4 servings.
What are the calorie details for a single serving of this salad?
Each serving contains approximately 129 calories.
What kind of apple is recommended for the dressing mixture?
The recipe specifies using 2 tablespoons of finely chopped Granny Smith apple for the curried mixture.
What type of curry powder should be used?
The recipe calls for 1 1/2 teaspoons of mild curry powder to achieve a fragrant but not overly spicy flavor.
Is saffron included in the ingredients?
Yes, a pinch of crumbled saffron threads is added to the saucepan when cooking the aromatics.
How is the watermelon prepared for this dish?
The watermelon is sliced into half-inch thick pieces, the rind is removed, and then it is cut into triangles.
Which fresh herbs are featured in the crab salad?
The salad features fresh cilantro and mint, with 1 tablespoon of each being finely chopped.
What kind of greens serve as the base for this salad?
A bunch of washed and dried arugula provides a peppery base for the dish.
How much fat is in one serving of this salad?
There are 8 grams of fat per serving.
What is the carbohydrate content per serving?
There are 7 grams of carbohydrates in each serving.
How much protein does a single serving provide?
Each serving provides 8 grams of protein.
How much fiber is in the Zesty Curried Crab and Watermelon Arugula Salad?
The salad contains 0.5 grams of fiber per serving.
What is the sugar content per serving?
There are 2 grams of sugar in each serving.
What type of oil is used in the preparation?
The recipe uses 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, divided between cooking the aromatics and dressing the arugula.
How long should you cook the apple and onion mixture?
The apple, onion, curry powder, and saffron should be cooked for about 5 minutes until the onion is softened.
What appliance is needed to make the dressing smooth?
A food processor is used to blend the cooled onion and curry mixture with mayonnaise until smooth.
How much lime juice is required for the entire recipe?
A total of 2 tablespoons of fresh lime juice is used, divided between seasoning the watermelon and the arugula.
How do you incorporate the crabmeat into the dressing?
Gently fold the lump crabmeat into the curried mayonnaise mixture, taking care to keep the chunks of crab intact.
What should you do with the arugula before serving?
Toss the arugula with 1 tablespoon of lime juice and 2 tablespoons of olive oil, then season with salt and pepper.
How many total ingredients are used in this recipe?
There are 15 distinct ingredients listed in the recipe.
Is there any salt or pepper in the dressing?
The crab salad portion is seasoned lightly with salt and freshly ground black pepper after folding in the crabmeat.
Should the onion be cooked over high heat?
No, the onion and apple mixture should be heated over medium heat until the oil is shimmering.
What is the base of the creamy curried dressing?
The creamy base of the dressing is 1/2 cup of mayonnaise blended with the sautéed curry aromatics.
How is the watermelon seasoned before adding the crab?
Each watermelon triangle is seasoned with a pinch of salt and pepper and drizzled with a teaspoon of lime juice.
Is there any water used in this recipe?
Yes, 1 teaspoon of water is stirred into the saucepan after it is removed from the heat to help the mixture cool.
How do you assemble the final dish?
Spoon the curried crab salad over the seasoned watermelon triangles and top with the dressed arugula salad.
What preparation is needed for the onion?
One tablespoon of onion should be finely chopped before cooking.
Can I use frozen crab for this recipe?
While fresh is often preferred, the recipe specifies 1 lb of lump crabmeat, which can be fresh or high-quality thawed frozen crab as long as it is picked over for shells.
Is this salad considered a summer recipe?
Yes, the recipe is described as an eye-catching presentation perfect for summer gatherings or a light lunch.