Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 2 oranges, zested and juiced
- 1 tablespoon salt, plus more for seasoning
- Fresh ground black pepper
- 2 cups instant polenta
- 1 pound lump crabmeat, picked through
- 4 figs, diced
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1/2 bunch chives, roughly chopped
- 1/2 bunch basil leaves
- 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for greasing
- 1 cup mixed greens
Directions
In a heavy saucepan add water, zest, orange juice and salt. Bring to a boil and gradually whisk in the polenta. Cook polenta over moderately low heat (it should barely boil), stirring constantly, until very thick and it pulls from the sides of the pan about 3 minutes. Once cooked evenly pour polenta onto a lightly greased 1/4 sheet pan. Sprinkle with fresh black pepper, cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator until firm about 15 minutes.
In a mixing bowl add the crabmeat, diced figs, zest and juice of a lemon and mayonnaise. Gently mix trying to leave crabmeat in lumps. Season with salt and fresh black pepper, to taste. Cover bowl and place in refrigerator until ready to use.
In a blender place the chives and basil and a little of the oil. Start to blitz the ingredients together adding more oil until the mixture is a smooth green herb oil. Transfer to a squeeze bottle or a bowl and set aside.
Preheat grill to medium-high.
Remove polenta from refrigerator. Take a large can (3-inches in diameter) and remove the top and bottom lid. Using the can cut 4 rounds of polenta. Brush olive oil on both sides and place on grill 3 minutes per side. Once grilled place a polenta round on the center of a plate and use the same can for molding the crabmeat salad. Place the can over the polenta and spoon in about 1 to 2 tablespoons of the crabmeat mixture, push the mixture down with the back of the spoon and lift the can away creating a crabmeat mold on top of the polenta. Top with a few mixed green leaves. Drizzle herb oil over top and serve.
Photo: Grilled Orange Polenta topped with Crabmeat Salad and Herb Oil Recipe
















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By vlaw1_11998099
Kingsburg, 43
on July 19, 2009
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This dish was such a disappointment. The display is absolutely beautiful on the plate, but the flavor is just not there. I followed the recipe and watched the show. It is not worth the effort! The polenta with orange was tasteless , the crab & fig salad boring, and the herb oil made the dish look pretty but did nothing to help the flavor. Take my advise and do not waste your money on making this dish.
By jdavido_11820658
Seattle, WA
on April 22, 2009
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"Outstanding!" That is the comment from my husband as he and my two small children devoured this last night.
I will admit to a substituion: I did not want to pay the $30/lb the local store was asking for Dungeness crab. Right next to that was Oregon Bay shrimp on sale for $3.99/lb. I knew it would not hold together as nicely as the crab, but I was willing to have a free-form meal and save $26. It was delicious.
I hesitated briefly on the figs, because it seemed an odd combination, but it was very good.
I look forward to making this again this summer when we go out and catch our own Dungeness crab.
By tdep8182
Green Bay, WI
on December 16, 2008
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This is a great recipe! It is really fun to prepare and looks more difficult than it actually is. I made these for dinner for 6 and everyone loved them! I also served the crab mixture in puff pastry cups as an appetizer - it was a hit again. (Put the pastry cups on the side and let guests fill the cups themselves - otherwise they get soggy.
Thanks!
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