By Beleaev Family | International Caviar & Gourmet, Head Office London | beleaev.com
Crab is the British Christmas starter that breaks the smoked salmon monotony. Two recipes here serve different moods: traditional potted crab for those who want the classic British Christmas, and modernised crab cocktail with avocado for younger guests.
Key Takeaways
- Recipe 1: Potted crab in ramekins with melba toast
- Recipe 2: Modernised crab cocktail with avocado
- 100-120g of crab per starter portion
- Make Recipe 1 day before, Recipe 2 morning of
- Both gluten-free (without the toast)
Recipe 1: Potted Crab with Melba Toast
Serves 6
For full method, see our potted crab recipe. Make in 6 small ramekins.
For melba toast: toast 6 slices of white bread under a hot grill until crisp. Cut off crusts. Slice each in half through the thickness (so each slice is half its original thickness). Toast the freshly cut sides under the grill until crisp and curling at the edges.
Serve cold potted crab in ramekins with warm melba toast triangles, lemon wedges, watercress.
Recipe 2: Crab Cocktail with Avocado
Serves 6
For the crab:
- 600g fresh white crab meat
- 100g fresh brown crab meat
- 4 tbsp full-fat mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp tomato ketchup
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tsp Tabasco
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- A pinch of cayenne
- Sea salt and white pepper
For serving:
- 2 ripe Hass avocados, peeled, halved, and stoned
- 1 small lemon, cut into wedges
- 6 small leaves butter lettuce
- 1 tbsp finely sliced chives
- A scattering of small capers
Method
Mix all crab ingredients in a bowl, gently. Refrigerate 30 minutes.
Place a butter lettuce leaf in the bottom of 6 small glass martini glasses or coupes. Place half an avocado on the lettuce. Spoon crab cocktail generously over the avocado. Garnish with chives and capers. Add a lemon wedge to each glass. Serve cold.
Production Timeline
Day before:
- Make potted crab. Refrigerate.
- Mix crab cocktail. Refrigerate.
Christmas Day morning:
- Make melba toast.
- Slice avocados just before serving.
Christmas Day, 30 min before serving starters:
- Take potted crab out of fridge for 30 min so it spreads cleanly.
- Plate cocktail glasses.
Serve: Both starters together as a duo, or choose one.
Tips
Both starters in one course. Serve a small ramekin of potted crab and a small cocktail glass per guest. The duo format makes the starter feel substantial.
Don't pre-stuff the cocktail glasses. Avocado browns. Plate within 20 minutes of serving.
Provide both small toast and crackers. Different guests prefer different bread textures.
Champagne pairs with both. One bottle covers both starter formats.
Variations and Pairings
With caviar: Top either starter with a small spoon (5g) of Royal Oscietra on top.
With prawns: Add 4 cooked prawns per cocktail glass alongside the crab.
With smoked salmon: Add a folded ribbon of smoked salmon to each cocktail.
Wine pairing: Champagne or chilled Sancerre.
For more crab dishes, see our potted crab and British crab cakes recipes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much crab for 6 guests?
For two starters, 700g total mixed crab. For one starter (cocktail only), 700g across 6 glasses.
Can I make in advance?
Both starters can be prepped 24 hours ahead. Avocado sliced morning of.
What if some guests don't eat crab?
Have a small bowl of smoked salmon ribbons as alternative.
Crab cocktail vs prawn cocktail?
Crab is more delicate, sweeter, and feels more festive. Prawn is the standard British Christmas. Both work, crab is the upgrade.
Further Reading
Crab Christmas starters are one of those choices that quietly upgrade the festive table. Discover Beleaev's caviar collection at beleaev.com.
Beleaev is an international caviar and gourmet house headquartered in London, with fulfilment hubs across the UK, Europe, the UAE, and the United States. We deliver responsibly farmed Beluga, Oscietra, Sevruga, and Kaluga caviar to customers in each region within 24 to 48 hours.
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