Take crab on toast to the next level with this recipe from Acme Fire Cult founders Andrew Clarke and Daniel Watkins, which combines fresh crab with bone marrow and a zippy jalapeño verde.
To make the bone marrow and crab ragout, soak the bone marrow for 24 hours in cold water to draw out the blood
The next day, drain the bone marrow and bring it to room temperature
Light a barbecue for direct cooking over a gentle heat and place the bone marrow on it. Slowly roast the bone marrow pieces over the coals, open side up, until they start to soften; cooking them slowly will allow you to get some of the smoke flavour into the marrow. When the centre section slides out easily, they are ready (alternatively, you could place the bone marrow bones on a baking tray and roast in the oven at 220C for 20 minutes)
Add the jalapeño chillies to the barbecue and cook for around 15 minutes, turning regularly, until charred all over. Set aside for use in the jalapeno verde
Using a spoon, scoop out the marrow, place in a bowl, and season with salt
Pop the crabs into the freezer for 20 minutes - this will put them to sleep before cooking
Bring a large pan of water to the boil and blanch the crabs for 6 mins, then allow to cool to one side
Heat a large pan, add the pomace oil and caramelise the onions, leeks, celery, fennel and garlic until soft
Add the tomato paste, saffron, Old Bay, fennel seeds and coriander seeds and wine, bring to a simmer and reduce by half
Once cool, break down the crab into brown and white meat and refrigerate both for later, reserving the shell and legs
Add the crab shell and legs to the pan and cover them with water, then bring to the boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 1 hour
Remove the crab shell and legs and continue to reduce by half again until you have a rich, tasty crab stock
In a pan, combine the brown and white crab meat with the chopped bone marrow, loosen with a little of the stock (any leftover stock can be frozen) and season with salt and lemon juice to taste
To make the salted cabbage, combine the white cabbage with a good pinch of Maldon sea salt and crush a little with your hands until the cabbage is a little broken down and well seasoned
To make the jalapeño verde, finely chop the garlic and herbs and combine with the capers and chopped chives. Skin and finely chop the jalapeños and add those too
Add the vinegar, then slowly stir in the oil until the sauce is the consistency of a salsa verde
To finish, toast the slice of sourdough and drizzle the toast with the olive oil or melted beef fat. Top with the crab ragout, salted cabbage and jalapeño verde
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