Soft-Shell Crabs in Surrey Bacon Dressing

Name: Soft-Shell Crabs in Surrey Bacon Dressing
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: ¼ pound Surrey or other smoky slab bacon, diced; 1 medium-size red onion, diced; ¼ cup sugar; 2 cups mayonnaise, preferably homemade; 4 leaves red-leaf lettuce, washed and thoroughly dried; 8 slices ripe tomato; 4 tablespoons clarified butter or vegetable oil; 2 cups flour seasoned with salt and pepper; 8 soft-shell crabs, cleaned

By Regina Schrambling

Updated October 10, 2023

Total Time: 1 hour
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Rating: (0)
Comments: Read comments

Featured in: A Special Way With Simple Food

or to save this recipe.
Subscriber benefit: Give recipes to anyone
As a subscriber, you have 10 gift recipes to give each month. Anyone can view them - even nonsubscribers. Learn more.
Subscribe
Share this recipe
Print this recipe
Include recipe photo
or to print this recipe.

Ingredients

Yield:4 servings

¼ pound Surrey or other smoky slab bacon, diced
1 medium-size red onion, diced
¼ cup sugar
2 cups mayonnaise, preferably homemade
4 leaves red-leaf lettuce, washed and thoroughly dried
8 slices ripe tomato
4 tablespoons clarified butter or vegetable oil
2 cups flour seasoned with salt and pepper
8 soft-shell crabs, cleaned

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Preparation

Step 1
Place diced bacon in a large, heavy skillet and cook over medium-low heat until all the fat is rendered and bacon bits are very crisp, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon, drain on a paper towel and reserve.
Step 2
Add diced red onion to skillet and cook over medium heat until very soft, about 5 to 7 minutes. Sprinkle sugar evenly over onions and cook over low heat, without stirring, until the sugar caramelizes, about 10 to 15 minutes. Cool completely, then fold into mayonnaise.
Step 3
Put a lettuce leaf on each of 4 serving plates. Put 2 tomato slices to one side on each plate. Spoon chilled dressing over lettuce.
Step 4
Pour clarified butter or oil into a large heavy skillet and heat over a medium flame. Dredge 4 soft-shell crabs in seasoned flour, shaking off excess, and place in skillet. Cook 2 to 3 minutes per side (jumbos will take longer), until crisp. Hold in a warm place while cooking remaining crabs. Transfer to prepared plates and sprinkle with reserved bacon bits. Serve at once.