Peruvian Crab Causa

Serves 6
Time 3 hrs 10 min
Peruvian Crab Causa

A "causa" is a dish of layered ingredients which is served cold as a light entrée or first course, making it ideal for warm weather entertaining.

Special Diets:

Dairy FreeDairy Free
Sugar ConsciousSugar Conscious

Ingredients

    Relish
    1/2 largered onion, finely chopped
    1/2 cupwhite vinegar
    1 can (4-ounce)sliced jalapeño peppers, with their juice
    1/3 bunchcilantro, leaves and stems, finely chopped
    1/4 teaspoonground black pepper
    1 jar (8-ounce)roasted yellow peppers, strained and finely chopped
    Juice of 1/2 lime
    Causa Layers
    2 poundsYukon potatoes
    2 tablespoonsplus 3/4 teaspoon fine sea salt, divided
    2limes, juice of
    1/4 cupcanola or corn oil
    1 can (16-ounce)lump crab meat, drained
    1/4 cupmayonnaise
    2avocados, sliced
    6 largeromaine lettuce leaves, sliced
    1/4 teaspoonfine sea salt
    3/4 teaspoonground black pepper, divided

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Method

Grease a 12-inch rectangular bread mold with a bit of oil.


Cut the causa carefully into six slices and place one slice on top of the lettuce on each serving plate.


Add more of the relish and a dollop of the reserved crab meat mix on top of each slice. Serve immediately.


Line it with 2 large pieces of plastic wrap, making sure they overlap so all the bottom and sides of the mold are covered and there is enough wrap on the sides of the mold with which to fold over and tightly cover the causa once it has been assembled. Set aside.


For the relish, put onions and vinegar into a medium bowl, cover and set aside for 45 minutes.


Meanwhile, place the jalapeños and their juice into a blender and blend until smooth.


Strain the mixture through a fine sieve, separating the juice from pulp left over.


Reserve juice and pulp separately in small bowls.


Strain the onions, discarding the vinegar and return to the bowl.


Add cilantro, salt and pepper, 1/2 cup of the yellow peppers, lime juice and 1 tablespoon of the reserved jalapeño pulp.


Cover and set relish aside. (Reserve remaining jalapeño pulp and juice for later use in the causa.)


For the causa, place potatoes in a large pot and cover by 2 inches with cold water.


Add 2 tablespoons salt and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.


Cook for about 25 minutes, until potatoes are tender when pierced with a knife.


Drain and let potatoes cool until you can handle them safely.


Peel potatoes and press them through a potato ricer or the fine side of a cheese grater, making sure no lumps remain.


Transfer potatoes to a large bowl and add the juice of 1 lime, oil and 1/4 cup of the reserved jalapeño juice.


Mix with a potato masher, adding 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Place in the refrigerator until cooled.


Meanwhile, mix crab meat with mayonnaise and juice from 1/2 a lime.


Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, cover and refrigerate.


Put avocados, remaining juice from 1/2 a lime, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper into a bowl and toss gently to combine.


Use a large spoon to spread one-third of the potato mixture into a layer at the bottom of the bread mold.


Arrange half of the avocado slices in the mold for the next layer, making sure all corners and sides of the mold are covered.


Transfer about 6 dollops of the crab meat mixture to a small bowl, cover and refrigerate for later use.


Spread half of the remaining crab meat mixture into the mold to make the next layer.


Press down firmly with the back of a spoon.


Repeat with one more layer each of the potato mixture, avocados and crab, then finish with a layer of potato mixture on top.


Fold the plastic wrap over the top of the mold to cover completely.


Press down slightly along the top of the mold, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour.


To serve, carefully uncover the plastic wrap and unmold the causa over a serving plate.


Spread some of the reserved relish over the top of the causa.


Arrange lettuce leaves on 6 serving plates.

Nutritional Info

Serving Size

Calories

530

Total Fat

28g

Saturated Fat

3g

Cholesterol

55mg

Sodium

1210mg

Total Carbohydrate

53g

Dietary Fiber

8g

Total Sugars

4g

Protein

21g

Note: We've provided special diet and nutritional information for educational purposes. But remember - we're cooks, not doctors! You should follow the advice of your health-care provider. And since product formulations change, check product labels for the most recent ingredient information. See our Terms of Service.