Soft-shell Crab B.L.T. with Lemon-Pepper Mayonnaise

Ingredients

Lemon-pepper Mayonnaise:

• 2 large egg yolks*
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons cracked black pepper
• 1 handful fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped

Crabs:

• 2 cups buttermilk
• 1 tablespoon crab boil seasoning
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 4 medium soft-shell crabs, cleaned and rinsed
• Vegetable oil, for frying
• 2 cups all-purpose flour

Sandwich:

• 4 soft bread rolls, such as brioche or croissants, split and lightly toasted
• 4 red leaf lettuce leaves
• 1 vine-ripe tomato, sliced
• 8 slices hickory-smoked pepper bacon, cooked
• 1 avocado, halved, pitted, peeled, and sliced

Directions

To make the mayonnaise: In a food processor, combine the egg yolks, salt, mustard, and lemon juice; process together to form a stable base. With the motor running, add a few drops of the oil, the mixture will begin to thicken. Then, begin adding the remaining oil in a thin, steady stream. Scrape down the sides of the processor and pour the mayonnaise into a small bowl. Mix in the black pepper and parsley, cover, and refrigerate; may be kept for up to 3 days.

To prepare the soft-shell crabs: Pour the buttermilk in a shallow bowl large enough to hold all the crabs. Season the buttermilk with crab boil seasoning, salt, and pepper. Lay the crabs in the buttermilk mixture and marinate, covered, in the refrigerator for 1 hour; soaking the crabs in buttermilk helps plump them up when cooked. Remove the crabs from the milk bath and let the excess drip off.

Pour 2 inches of oil in a heavy frying pan or large pot and heat to 350 degrees F.

Put the flour in a pie dish or plate and season with a fair amount of salt and pepper. Dredge the crabs in the seasoned flour to coat, shaking off the excess. Lay the crabs in the hot oil in a single layer without crowding; you may have to fry them in batches. Be careful, the crabs have a tendency to pop and spatter. Cook the crabs for about 3 minutes on each side, turning once, until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.

To build the sandwich: Spread the lemon pepper mayonnaise on both halves of the toasted bread, add the lettuce, tomato, bacon, and avocado. Lay a fried soft-shell crab on top and close up the sandwich.