Crab & Avocado Salad

Crab & Avocado Salad

Servings: four as a first course; two for lunch.

Ingredients:

3 Tbs. mayonnaise
2 Tbs. buttermilk
1/2 tsp. grated lemon zest
2 tsp. fresh lemon juice; more for sprinkling
1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard
Kosher salt and freshly ground black or white pepper
8 oz. crabmeat, preferably lump, picked over to remove bits of shell
1/2 cup finely chopped celery from the inner ribs and leaves
3 Tbs. chopped fresh chives (1/2-inch pieces)
1 ripe avocado, peeled, pitted, and cut into 3/4-inch pieces
1 head Boston or Bibb lettuce, washed (for lining the plates)

1. In a small bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, buttermilk, lemon zest, lemon juice, and mustard. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

2. In a medium bowl, mix the crabmeat, celery, and 2 Tbs. of the chives. Fold in the dressing gently so as not to break up the crabmeat. Gently fold in the avocado. Taste for salt and pepper.

3. Line four salad plates with lettuce leaves, heap a scoop of the crab salad on each, and garnish with the remaining chives. Sprinkle each serving with 1/2 tsp. lemon juice and serve.

Source: Fine Cooking Crab & Avocado Salad