Tangy West Coast Crayfish Salad

This tangy Cape crayfish salad is a simple but decadent seafood treat from the Cape West Coast

Abalone House is a new boutique guesthouse in the white-washed West Coast town of Paternoster, just 90 minutes’ drive from Cape Town. The Saffron restaurant at Abalone House focuses on West Coast cuisine and especially fresh seafood. This crayfish salad from chef Nicky Lawson tastes even better amidst the crystal chandeliers, antiques and orchids at Saffron, but is definitely also worth a try at home.

Crayfish and Citrus Salad with tangy lemon Mayonnaise (serves 4)
Courtesy of Nicky Lawson

Rocket leaves or baby salad greens
1 grapefruit peeled and cut into segments
1 orange peeled and cut into segments
3 tomatoes deseeded and diced
Crayfish tails x 4
Fresh dill leaves

Place a pan of salted water on the stove.  Once the water comes to the boil add the crayfish tails. When water returns to the boil remove from stove and leave crayfish in water for 10 minutes. Remove and baste with olive oil and lemon juice. Once cool remove crayfish flesh from the shells and cut ¾ way trough (like a butterfly). Place the rinsed rocket in the centre of a serving plate; spread the segments of grapefruit and orange on top of the rocket, alternating the different colours. Place Crayfish butterfly on top and drizzle with a homemade tangy lemon mayonnaise.  Garnish with diced tomato and fresh dill.

For mayonnaise:
2 egg yolks
¾ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon mustard powder
Pinch of sugar
Juice of 1 whole lemon
1 ½  cups vegetable oil
4 teaspoons hot water

Beat yolks, salt, mustard, sugar, pepper and 1 teaspoon lemon juice in a small bowl until very thick and pale. Add about ¼ cup oil, drop by drop, beating all the while. Beat in 1 teaspoon each of lemon juice and hot water.  Add another1.4 cup oil, a few drops at a time, beating all the while. Continue adding remaining oil and lemon juice and water this way.  If you like a thin mayonnaise, add a little extra hot water.  Cover and refrigerate until needed.

The Saffron restaurant at Abalone House Boutique Guesthouse is located in Paternoster on the West Coast, just 90 minutes’ drive from Cape Town. Open seven days a week. For more info, call +27 22 752 2044. 

To find out more about Cape Town’s amazing restaurants, visit our Eating Out section.