In a time crunch and when I'm trying to eat healthy and don't feel like spending a lot of time in the kitchen, I usually turn to The South Beach Diet Quick & Easy Cookbook. This was another quick dinner from that book to throw together on a hot summer night. I can't stress how much you need this book if you are on South Beach and looking for quick meals. Or just looking for low-carb quick meals. Or just looking for quick meal but not on a diet.
The crab was actually canned crab. You can get some really good stuff at Trader Joe's for less than $10. Having a can in the fridge makes it really easy to make this salad on a night you don't feel like cooking. Note: There are some really cheap cans of crab that taste like crap (to me, most of the small tuna-like cans don't taste that good) so if you don't have a favorite brand, you might have to research a bit. Once you do find a good brand of canned crab (I've also seen some stuff in plastic tubs that looked pretty good), it works great in a lot of recipes (see Crab Louis with Thousand Island Dressing).
The book says that in later phases, this can be put on whole-grain crackers for an appetizer, put into a sandwich or used as wrap filling. I can also see putting this back in the hollowed out avocado shell to use as a nice presentation. This would also work well as a topping for some lettuce. Shrimp can be substituted for the crab.
CRAB AND AVOCADO SALAD
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon chopped roasted red pepper (from a jar)
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 pound lump crabmeat
1 large ripe avocado, pitted, peeled, and cut into 1/4 inch cubes
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Combine cilantro, mayonnaise, red pepper, lime juice, and cayenne in a medium mixing bowl. Mix in crabmeat and season with salt and pepper. Gently fold in avocado and serve. Makes 4 (scant 1-cup) servings. 230 calories a serving.
This is a Phase One South Beach meal.
My goodness that sure looks good.
Posted by: Mom | July 24, 2008 at 10:16 PM
The TJ's crab is pretty good. I like the kind I get from Costco as well. I do love crab and avocado together.
Posted by: peabody | July 25, 2008 at 12:28 AM
Wowzers! That looks simply delicious! If Mr L is ever out of town and you are in need of a taste tester, let me know.
Posted by: Louise | July 25, 2008 at 09:25 AM
Looks delicious... and pretty easy too. I love the combo seafood and avocado. Thanks for sharing and for stopping by at my blog :)
Posted by: Isa | July 25, 2008 at 09:49 AM
could i get it without the crab? you know i am allergic to shellfish. :(
Posted by: barbie2be | July 25, 2008 at 01:32 PM
Oooh, that looks delicious! This includes two of my favorite foods -- crab and avocado! Oh who am I kidding, I love all the ingredients! YUM! Thanks for stopping by my blog! Now I need to go find some crab ....
Posted by: Paula | July 25, 2008 at 02:07 PM
Oh my goodness, since I have just newly discovered teh wodnerfulness of Avacado, this looks SOOO good! and easy!
Posted by: Shannon | July 25, 2008 at 03:05 PM
why is it that i'm immediately smitten with any dish containing avocado? i don't even like crab, but now i'm craving this. ah, the power of avocado. :)
Posted by: grace | July 25, 2008 at 03:38 PM
Ooooh! Looks good and I have a can of TJ's in the fridge. I could also use a week of South Beach after coming home from vacation!
Posted by: Lisa | July 27, 2008 at 09:06 AM
o does that ever look scrumptious!! i am craving crab and shrimp right now -- or just anything with good seasoning, LOL
Posted by: Arch | July 30, 2008 at 12:20 PM
Peabody - We've also used the Costco crab and found it works great in crab dishes like this.
Barbie - I'm sure this would work with chicken! (actually shrimp too but I know you can't eat that either).
Posted by: Mrs. L | August 02, 2008 at 11:46 AM
Finally, been looking for an avocado recipe that doesn't involve the word guacomole. A great combination I must say. The red and green combination looks appetizing, and I think that this would be suited for the diet that I'm undergoing right now.
Posted by: Lauri Hersh | April 12, 2011 at 01:28 AM
Wow, that looks so good! I love crab meat, and I love avocados. It's my favorite fruit. Avocados are true wonder fruits because they contain more vitamins and minerals than any other fruits combined. It gives the needed energy boost our body needs everyday. Thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe.
Posted by: Andrea Chopra | June 02, 2011 at 12:40 PM