Go Back
Portuguese white gazpacho with crab salad in a green soup bowl with bowls and flatware in the background.
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Portuguese White Gazpacho with Crab

This luscious hybrid dish combines Portugal's fave shellfish, crab, with a white gazpacho for a refreshing dish with a little bit of delish richness.
Prep Time30 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Mains
Cuisine: Portuguese
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 453

Ingredients

For the white gazpacho

  • 1 1/2 cups 3/4-inch (18-mm) cubes of day-old rustic white bread, crust removed
  • 2/3 cup unsalted blanched whole almonds
  • 1 small fennel bulb, stalks and core removed, bulb chopped; reserve a few of the frilly fronds for garnish
  • 1/2 cup chopped sweet onion
  • 1/2 seedless English cucumber, peeled and chopped
  • Leaves from 4 oregano sprigs
  • 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the crab salad

  • 1 1/2 cups jumbo lump crabmeat, picked over and drained well
  • 1/2 small carrot, peeled and minced
  • 1/2 stalk celery, minced
  • 1 tablespoon brandy or tawny Port
  • 1 teaspoon Piri-Piri Sauce, or store-bought hot sauce, or to taste
  • 1/3 cup plain milk mayonnaise, or more if needed
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 cups tender baby salad greens, (optional)
US - Metric

Instructions

  • To make the white gazpacho, soak the bread cubes in cold water until softened, about 5 minutes. Squeeze dry with your hands.
  • Toss the almonds into a blender and pulse into a fine powder. Drop in the fennel, onion, cucumber, oregano, and 1 1/2 cups water and buzz on high until liquefied. Add the wet bread, oil, and vinegar and whir again until the mixture is as smooth as possible. Put the blender canister, covered, in the fridge for 3 hours, or up to 6 hours.
  • Meanwhile, toss together the crab, carrot, celery, brandy, and piri-piri sauce in a small bowl. Cover with plastic and refrigerate.
  • When ready to serve, fold the maionese de leite into the crab mixture and season with salt and pepper. If you want it a bit creamier, plop in another tablespoon or so of the maionese.
  • Whir the gazpacho in the blender for a few seconds to froth it again. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and pour it into a pitcher. Make a small bed of greens in the center of chilled bowls, top with the crab, and poke in a bit of fennel frond. Place the bowls in front of your guests and pour the gazpacho around the crab.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 453kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 769mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 6g