As we come into the end of summer, something light and fresh is what I had in mind when I created this dish. Photo credit Jai Williams
Grilled Tomatoes With Pesto and Crab Compote
1 oz of lump crab
1 oz of back fin crab
1 jalapeno, stemmed and sliced lengthwise
2 ripe but firm tomatoes
¼ yellow onion
Pesto
2 bunches of basil
A few cloves of garlic
¼ cup pine nuts
½ cup of olive oil
Seasonings
Old Bay seasoning
Garlic powder
Cracked black pepper
Cracked sea salt
1 lemon
Cut tomatoes into thick slices. Crack black pepper, salt, and garlic powder over the tomatoes. Grill the jalapeños and tomatoes, until char lines occur, about 3-5 minutes.
In a food processor, place basil, pine nuts and garlic cloves. Slowly add olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Continue to taste and blend to your liking and thickness.
In a small bowl mix crabmeat, Old Bay seasoning, and a few squeezes from a lemon sans the seeds. Set aside. Take the jalapeños and onions and chop into small pieces. Lightly coat the bottom of a saucepan with olive oil. Saute jalapeños and onions over medium heat until they sweat. Turn down heat, and add crab mixture. Saute together between 1-2 minutes. Add white wine to deglaze pan. Take off heat and place aside.
Place a slice of the tomato on a plate. Add a thin layer of pesto to barely coat the tomato.Continue this process until the last tomato slice. Top with crab mixture and spread sparingly around the plate.
Jai is a culinary/travel photographer, author whose photography has been seen in publications such as Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown, Munchies (VICE), and Ad Week. Jai has been with GMF since 2014 is the former GMF Editor-in-Chief. She has photographed for both domestic and international tourism boards. Additionally, her work was selected as a semi-finalist in competitions such as Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington’s RAMMYs in Focus, and The Historical Society of D.C.’s For the Record. Contributing her photography to books like New York One-Food Wonders and Discovering Vintage Washington, DC, Jai’s creative spirit focuses on the food, beverage, and travel industries. Co-authoring Plantations of Virginia with six-time New York Press Club award winner Charlene C. Giannetti, their book is currently in its third printing within a year of being released. Jai enjoys collaborating with her clients to bring their vision to life.