“There is a place full of magic, a place where the sea meets the sky and the sun shines down on the hillsides. It is the Isle of Capri, where beauty and wonder combine to create a paradise on earth.”
Unknown
Hi there,
After a very upsetting couple of days, it was time to get back to preparing dinner. Instead of thinking about what I would make, my mind wandered to Italy and happier times. Standing in front of the refrigerator with the door opened, I spied a can of crabmeat and some cherry tomatoes. I opened the cheese drawer and found some mozzarella pearls. Ah, Caprese salad would transport me back to my happy place. But I was craving something warm. Then I remembered I had fresh pasta from Wild Grains languishing in the freezer. It looks like I had all the fixings for dinner. Now, I just had to create it.
Time to put on your apron.
CRAB CAPRESE
Crab Caprese: A Refreshing Twist on a Classic Italian Salad
4
servings30
minutesIngredients
8 ounces 8 lump crabmeat
2 small containers 2 grape tomatoes in a variety of colors and sizes, halved
4 ounces 4 fresh mozzarella pearls
3 3 scallions, white and green parts finely diced
1 cup 1 fresh basil chopped
3 tablespoons 3 EVOO
1 tablespoon 1 Italian Seasonings
1/2 cup 1/2 pasta water
8 ounces 8 fresh pasta, I used Wild Grains Pasta
1 bunch 1 petite, fresh basil
Preparation
- Preheat an oven to 375 degrees F
- Put the tomatoes and scallion on a sheet pan and sprinkle with the EVOO and Italian Seasonings
- Cook the vegetables until they blister, and then add the crabmeat. Return the tray to the oven and cook until the crabmeat is lightly browned.
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and add pasta of choice. Cook until al dente.
- Drain the pasta, reserving a 1/2 cup of pasta water
- Return the pasta to the pot and add the ingredients from the sheet pan. Add the mozzarella cheese and the chopped basil. Toss until pasta is cooked (another minute or two) adding small amounts pasta water to the pot to prevent sticking.
- Put pasta in a serving dish and top with the petite basil.
- For dessert treat yourself to some limoncello.
Notes
- You may have a great deal of difficulty finding the petite fresh basil. So, reserve some pretty basil and shred it by hand to top the finished pasta. I keep a bottle of homemade seasoned olive oil on hand. To an 8 ounce shaker I add 1/4 cup of Italian Seasonings to shaker and top with olive oil.
32 responses to “CRAB CAPRESE – A Culinary Journey Back to Happiness”
It sounds delicious, but what is EVOO?
Hi Viv, extra virgin olive oil. Just me being lazy with the typing.
This sounds delicious. Crabmeat is hard to find here but I will look.
Robbie, I use canned crab meat. Maybe that helps?
I look for canned. I’m sure some retailers will have it.
Sounds like a really delicious meal! I love crab.
It was delicious and a perfect pantry meal. I bought the crab meat on sale!
This looks so good, I love a refrigerator creation! But Bernie, you forgot to invite me!
There is always a place at the table for you😘
My favorite kind of recipe, simple yet absolutely delicious!
Thanks so much Linda.
An interesting combination ☺️
I love using cooking something fabulous as a way to step out of daily stresses as well..thank you for the beautiful visuals and the inspiration☀️
You are most welcome and it is a delight to find a kindred spirit.
This looks so good!! You really know how to throw things together to make a yummy meal.
Thanks Darlene. It comes from years of doing it and Dom always being open to a food adventure.
Wonderful!!!!
Thanks so much Mimi.
Love the idea of adding crab meat to Caprese salad!
Not a big ah ha moment on my part. It was just a pantry dinner but the mental health aspect was wonderful.
That looks and sounds amazing, Bernadette. Especially for a hot summer day. I’d like mine at that little table by the sea, thank you. <3 Another excellent dish to try!
Heaven on a plate!! Just imagine eating your meal at that little table with the sea lapping at your toes. 🙂
That is exactly where I wanted to be – waves lapping, delicious pasta, and a crisp white wine.
Now *that* is a happy place kind of dish. Love the Provencal/Med tablecloth too – I have a similar one in yellow that I use whenever I need my mood lifted.
I forgot to add, I hope you’re doing okay…
Hi Jo, thanks for asking. Yes, I am in a better place. My husband had cardiac bypass surgery 3 weeks ago. It definitely was a frightening time but he is recovering and my nerves are a little less frayed.
That must have been so worrying… be kind to yourself.
Be still my stomach!!! Why is it I always love your ingredients, you seem to love so much of the same food I do. Another wonderful recipe Bernadette, thank you.
You are right Diane. We are definitely kindred spirits.
What a great idea, putting these things together! I hope this comforting meal brought peace to your soul after some difficult days. I have never seen or heard of petite basil before, but it certainly is beautiful on top of your dish!
Okay, you had me at the crabmeat – delicious!
Sorry to learn of your troubling weeks but happy to know things are better. Nothing like a dish of pasta to make you feel better and your pantry dinner sounds great. We make something similar but without the cheese.