Delicious Tomato Crab Napoleon Recipe for Seafood Lovers
Tomatoes and crab are two ingredients that, when combined, create a savory and delicate flavor that is simply irresistible. In this recipe article, I’ll walk you through the steps to create an exquisite Tomato Crab Napoleon dish that will impress even the most discerning of food critics.
This dish is perfect for those who love seafood and want to add some southern flare to their dinner party menu. The combination of diced apple tomato and fresh crab meat layered between sheets of puff pastry creates a beautiful presentation, making it an excellent choice for special occasions like weddings or graduations.
Whether you’re a seasoned chef or new to cooking, this recipe is easy to follow and will not disappoint your taste buds. So let’s dive into the ingredient list for this delicious dish and start cooking!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Prepare to indulge in a culinary masterpiece that is simply irresistible! Introducing the Tomato Crab Napoleon–a dish that is guaranteed to make your taste buds dance with joy.
What’s not to love about this dish? It combines fresh tomatoes and crab meat that melt in your mouth, all nestled in between layers of crispy pastry sheets, perfect for satisfying any seafood cravings.
As you take a bite, the flavors burst in your mouth, thanks to the diced apple tomato and basil, which provide pops of freshness. The dish’s richness is enhanced by the olive oil and unsalted butter added during preparation.
But don’t let the sophisticated name fool you; anyone can whip up this easy recipe at home! It doesn’t require advanced cooking skills or technical equipment, making it perfect for both novice cooks and experienced chefs alike.
But what makes this recipe stand out from others is its versatility. You can easily adjust it to suit your preferences by adding or substituting ingredients such as avocado or shrimp. Transitioning from a hot appetizer to a cold salad with the same recipe is also possible. The recipe allows you to be creative while still retaining the mouth-watering taste of the original dish.
Whether you’re hosting a fancy dinner party or craving something indulgent after a long day at work, the Tomato Crab Napoleon is an excellent choice that guarantees satisfaction. Plus, with crabmeat picked from ethical sources such as Truluck’s or Turtle Club, you know you’re doing your part for sustainability while still enjoying one of nature’s delicacies.
Don’t believe us? Try it out yourself, pair it with a crisp white wine or refreshing gin & tonic, and see how it becomes an instant favorite among your family and friends. Trust us; this Tomato Crab Napoleon will not disappoint!
Ingredient List
Here is a list of all the ingredients you’ll need to make this Tomato Crab Napoleon Recipe:
For the Tomato Confit:
- 3 large fresh tomatoes, diced and seeded
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 teaspoon of salt
For the Crab Salad:
- 1 lb of crab meat, picked over for shells
- 1/2 cup of finely diced apple
- 1/2 cup of finely diced sweet yellow onion
- 1 tablespoon of finely seeded jalapeño
- 2 tablespoons of finely chopped parsley
- 2 tablespoons of finely chopped basil
- Juice from 1 fresh lime
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Tomato Sauce:
- The remaining diced apple tomato
- The remaining diced sweet yellow onion
- The remaining diced and seeded tomato
- A pinch of salt and pepper, to taste
For the Napoleon Salad:
- Peekey toe crab
- Fried green tomatoes
- Avocado Salad
- 1 avocado, sliced thin
- Mixed greens or arugula
- Lime juice
Optional:
For extra flavor, you can add some shrimp to your crab napoleon recipe.
The Recipe How-To
Now, let’s get down to business and start cooking! This Tomato Crab Napoleon recipe is a breeze to prepare but will impress your guests like no other. Let me guide you with the step-by-step instructions and make sure you have a successful and scrumptious dish to present.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup crab meat, picked for shells
- 2 fresh tomatoes, diced and seeded
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons finely diced sweet yellow onion
- 1 tablespoon finely seeded jalapeño
- Salt and pepper
- 1 teaspoon chopped parsley (to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon lime juice
Tomato Confit:
This tomato confit is a necessary element in building the flavorful layers of your tomato crab napoleon.
Preheat your oven to 250°F. Combine diced tomatoes, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a baking dish. Bake it for an hour or until the tomatoes turn slightly brown. Take out of the oven and set aside.
Crab Salad:
In a bowl, combine crab meat, diced onion, diced seeded jalapeño, chopped parsley, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly.
Apple-Tomato Sauce:
With a food processor or blender, puree diced apple and tomato sauce until smooth. Set aside.
Building the Napoleon
Take a small plate or ring mold and place it on your serving dish. Add one slice of fresh heirloom tomato as the base layer. Top with a spoonful of the crab salad mixture.
Add another heirloom tomato slice atop the crab meat layer followed by another spoonful of crab salad mixture.
Repeat this layering with all remaining ingredients until you have three layers of tomatoes and two layers of crab salad mixture.
Top off each napoleon with the tomato confit mixture.
Garnish with chopped chives and serve with your choice of bagel chips or avocado salad for a refreshing combo that’ll complete your main course.
Enjoy this simply irresistible spicy crab apple tomato napoleon recipe inspired by Louisiana Cookin’ that packs a punch of flavor in every bite!
Substitutions and Variations
To make this tomato crab napoleon recipe even more versatile, here are a few substitutions and variations you can try:
– Instead of crab meat, you can use shrimp or lobster for a delicious seafood twist. This variation is known as the “shrimp napoleon” or “lobster napoleon.”
– For a vegetarian version, substitute the crab meat with diced eggplant or fried green tomatoes.
– If you’re not a fan of avocado, try topping the napoleon with a creamy celery root puree instead.
– Want to spice up the recipe? Add diced jalapeño peppers to the crab salad mixture for some heat. You can also drizzle some lime juice over each layer to give it a tangy kick.
– If you don’t have bagel chips on hand, try using tortilla chips or crispy wonton wrappers instead.
– Mix things up by making a crab cake napoleon or an avocado salad napoleon. Truluck’s and Turtle Club are two restaurants that offer unique twists on the classic dish.
Whether you decide to stick with the traditional tomato crab napoleon recipe or experiment with different variations, this dish is simply irresistible and perfect for any occasion.
Serving and Pairing
The tomato crab napoleon is a versatile dish that would be a star attraction at any gathering. It is sophisticated enough to impress your guests at a fancy dinner party and yet laid-back enough for a casual get-together. Depending on the occasion, you can choose to serve it as an appetizer or as a main course.
For a swanky affair, consider making mini versions of the napoleon using bagel chips instead of puff pastry sheets. The petite portions would be easy to handle while mingling with your guests, and it would also allow them to sample other culinary delights without feeling too full.
If you are serving the napoleon as a starter, you can pair it with a light soup or salad to complement the rich flavors. A chilled gazpacho or a refreshing watermelon and feta salad would be excellent choices that would balance out the richness of the crab and tomato.
When it comes to drinks, you can’t go wrong with wine. A crisp white wine such as Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc would enhance the tangy notes of the tomatoes and herbs, while a light-bodied red such as Pinot Noir or Gamay would play off the sweetness in the crab meat.
For a non-alcoholic option, try serving iced tea infused with fresh mint or lemonade spiked with ginger beer for an extra kick.
Regardless of what you serve with it or how you serve it, the tomato crab napoleon is sure to be a crowd-pleaser that will leave your guests wanting more.
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
While this Tomato Crab Napoleon recipe is best served fresh, there are some steps you can take to make it ahead of time and store it for later. You can prepare the crab tomato napoleon salad ahead of time, store the components separately in the fridge, and assemble them right before serving.
To store the crab meat and diced apple tomato, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. For the tomato sauce, keep it in a separate container, and it should also last up to 2 days in the fridge.
If you plan on sealing the Napoleon recipe food for future servings or guests, it’s best to use bagel chips in place of puff pastry sheets because bagel chips maintain their crispy texture even after being stored. Simply keep the assembly components like crabmeat picked over (bone and cartilage removed), diced tomatoes and seeds on-hand so you can easily get started when you’re ready.
When reheating this dish, be careful not to overcook it as it will lose its freshness. Gently warm up any chilled components in the microwave until warm but not hot. You may need to adjust seasoning with freshly chopped parsley taste and a dash of lime juice. Overall, this dish is simply irresistible fresh out of the kitchen or reheated for late-night cravings!
Tips for Perfect Results
Preparing a delicious Tomato Crab Napoleon can be quite challenging. But with the right tips, you can achieve perfect results every time. Here are some essential tips to help you make the most simply irresistible Tomato Crab Napoleon recipe.
Firstly, it’s important to use fresh and high-quality ingredients. This will ensure that the natural flavors of the ingredients remain intact, and the dish tastes amazing. Therefore, make sure that you buy fresh tomatoes, unsalted butter, basil, parsley, and crab meat for this dish.
Secondly, be mindful of seasoning when preparing the dish. Use salt and pepper in moderation to avoid over-seasoning the dish. However, for an extra zing, add a dash of lime juice or your favorite hot sauce to liven up the flavors.
Another crucial tip is to take your time when layering the ingredients. To create visually appealing layers in your napoleon recipe, take care to place each layer gently on top of each other. This will ensure that it looks great and tastes delicious.
Additionally, make sure not to overcook the crab meat. Overcooking causes it to lose its texture and flavor. Instead, cook it just enough so that it remains tender.
It’s also important to remember that any leftovers should be stored promptly and effectively if you want them to last until your next meal. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consume within two days.
Finally, don’t forget to get creative with your substitutions and variations! Try different seafood options like shrimp or scallops instead of crab meat for an exciting twist on this napoleon recipe.
By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating a spectacular Tomato Crab Napoleon that would wow your guests at any party!
Bottom Line
In conclusion, the Tomato Crab Napoleon Recipe is a must-try for any seafood or tomato lover. Its combination of fresh ingredients and unique flavors make it simply irresistible. This dish’s versatility allows it to be served as an appetizer or main course, and its easy-to-follow recipe makes it accessible to any level of culinary experience.
Whether you are entertaining a large party or cooking for your family, the Tomato Crab Napoleon Recipe will impress even the toughest critics. So gather your fresh tomatoes, crab meat, and herbs, and get ready to embark on a culinary journey that will have your taste buds asking for more.
So go ahead and give this recipe a try – I promise it will not disappoint! Happy cooking!
Tomato Crab Napoleon Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb crabmeat, picked over
- 1 teaspoon chopped parsley, more to taste
- 1 teaspoon chopped basil, more to taste
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup mixed greens
- 12 slices fresh tomatoes
Instructions
- In a hot sauté pan, sauté the crabmeat in the butter for about one minute.
- Add parsley, basil, and salt and pepper; taste and adjust seasonings; set aside.
- Place one slice of tomato on the center of a plate.
- Place sautéed crabmeat mixture on top.
- Layer another tomato slice and more crabmeat.
- Top with one more tomato slice.
- (Use 3 slices of tomato and 4 ounces of crabmeat per serving).
- Place mixed greens around the stack.
Your Own Notes
Nutrition
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Anna is a culinary expert who specializes in grilling delicious BBQ dishes. She also enjoys sharing her recipes and experiences with her foodie community on her blog. She’s the total package for any backyard barbecue!