theveganbeauty

Buttery crab pasta is luxurious and simple, all at the same time. And isn’t an easy-to-prepare dinner a luxury in itself? Cherry tomatoes, butter (natch), chervil, lemon, crabmeat, and your favorite pasta is about all it takes. #LCHumpDayPasta

Adapted from Melissa Clark | Dinner in French | Clarkson Potter, 2020

This pasta dish is impressive, but it’s barely any work at all, ideal for an impromptu gathering. Obviously, you’ll want the freshest sweetest crabmeat available. Substitute lobster if you can’t get crab, or use small shrimp, briefly cooked in butter, and feel free to vary the herbs if you can’t find chervil. Chervil is not as popular outside of France as this mildly licoricey herb should be—use basil, mint, or cilantro instead.—Melissa Clark

What is LC HUMP DAY PASTA?

I’m glad you asked. LC Hump Day Pasta (#LCHumpDayPasta) is a little something we cooked up to help you on the night of the week that you feel least like cooking. Wednesday was traditionally Prince Spaghetti Day (for those of you old enough to remember). We’ve revamped and updated that to Hump Day and included every type of pasta there is. An LC Hum Day Pasta is all about

Buttery Crab Pasta

A lovely, light summer pasta filled with crab and cherry tomatoes, it comes together in under 30 minutes.

Melissa Clark

Prep 15 mins

Cook 15 mins

Total 30 mins

• Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente (usually a minute or two less than the package directs). Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water and drain the pasta.
• In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in 1/2 cup of the pasta water and the Parmesan. Stir in the tomatoes, scallion, red pepper flakes, and a large pinch of salt, simmer until the tomatoes begin to soften, 1 to 2 minutes.

• Stir in the pasta, 1/4 cup of the chervil or parsley, the lemon zest and juice, and black pepper to taste. Toss until warmed through. Gently fold in the crabmeat.

• Remove the skillet from the heat. Serve the crab pasta sprinkled with Parmesan, the remaining 1/4 cup chervil or parsley, a drizzle of olive oil, flaky sea salt, and more red pepper flakes, to taste.

*How do I get the bits of shell out of my crabmeat?

This might not sound like a big deal until you hear that nasty crunch while you’re devouring a big, beautiful bowl of seafood pasta. Take all that glorious crabmeat and spread it out on a baking sheet. Pop it under the broiler for a minute—just enough to make those bits of shell turn bright red. And…easier to spot. With this little tip, you’re still going to have to pick it out, but it will to make those bits of the shell so much easier to find.

Serving: 1servingCalories: 597kcal (30%)Carbohydrates: 64g (21%)Protein: 29g (58%)Fat: 25g (38%)Saturated Fat: 13g (81%)Polyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 81mg (27%)Sodium: 791mg (34%)Potassium: 755mg (22%)Fiber: 4g (17%)Sugar: 6g (7%)Vitamin A: 2261IU (45%)Vitamin C: 57mg (69%)Calcium: 182mg (18%)Iron: 3mg (17%)

Originally published July 20, 2021

If you make this recipe, snap a photo and hashtag it #LeitesCulinaria. We’d love to see your creations on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.