Seafood Salad with a Creamy
Tarragon-Mustard Dressing
by Julee Rosso and Sheila Lukins
from The Silver Palate Cookbook: 25th Anniversary Edition
(Workman, 2007)
Makes 6 portions as a first course

This salad can be made with any combination of seafood you like — lump crabmeat, octopus, squid, or conch are all appropriate, although using more than three kinds results in a bit of a jumble. In any case, try to make the salad and serve it immediately, without refrigeration. If you must chill it, be sure to let it return to room temperature before serving.

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Make the dressing
1. In a blender or a food processor, combine the whole egg, egg yolks, mustard, vinegar, and tarragon. Season with salt and pepper and process for 1 minute.

2. Measure out the oil and, with the motor still running, dribble the oil into the processor or blender in a slow steady stream. Shut off the motor, scrape down the sides, taste, and correct the seasoning.

3. Transfer to a storage container, cover, and refrigerate until ready to use.

Make the salad
1. Bring 4 quarts of salted water to a boil in a pot. Drop in the shrimp, wait 1 minute, and drop in the scallops. Just before the water returns to a full boil, pour the contents of the pot through a strainer set in the sink. Cool the seafood to room temperature.

2. Drain the lobster (if frozen) and sort through it carefully to remove any bits of shell. Reserve several large pieces of lobster meat (particularly claw meat) for garnish and cut the rest into chunks.

3. Reserve 3 or 4 shrimp and scallops for garnish and combine the rest with the lobster meat in a mixing bowl.

4. Add the peas and scallions, season lightly with salt and pepper, and pour in the tarragon-mustard dressing. Toss the salad gently and add more dressing if you like.

5. Arrange the spinach in a border around a shallow serving bowl. Spoon the seafood salad into the center of the bowl and arrange the reserved seafood garnish on top.

6. Serve immediately, offering additional dressing on the side if you like.