Crabby Macaroni Salad

Am I not.....HILARIOUS?  I know, it was a sad attempt at humor.  This has been one the craziest days I have had for awhile, and frankly, I am so tired, I am on cup of coffee number 2, just to get the job done kids!

The truth is, this is another "for the love of hubby" recipe.  He has been asking for some sort of seafood macaroni salad for awhile.  He has been oh so patient, for more than I would have been if I were waiting for something from him.  Finally he said in this cute little desperate voice, "Honey, I know you are really busy but could you write up some sort of salad with crab and pasta in it for me and use black olives"?  Easy enough.  I just picked up some of the great farmers market finds I had from the weekend and went to town. 

I am not a huge fan of mayo based salads, but I guarantee you will love this one.  It makes me so happy when my husband requests something and I am able to create it for him just how he likes it.  Nothing makes me happier than to hear his "insert moan" and then "Christine, Christine, Christine, hits another one OUT OF THE PARK"!   Love is grand isn't it?

This is going down as a Simmerman family staple.  I hope it is enjoyed by yours too!

16 ounces shell pasta (or any very short pasta), cooked and cooled
10-12 ounces crab meat, real or imitation
10 ounce can of black olives, chopped
1 med-lg bell pepper, chopped fine
1 pint grape tomatoes, quartered. (use a large regular tomato if you want)
1 cup Hellmann's Mayo (or best foods)
1 T chives
1/4 tsp,. garlic powder
2-3 tsp. celery seed
1/2 tsp. salt
black pepper to taste

You can add the pasta while it is still slightly warm if you wish.  Otherwise, mix all ingredients in a large bowl and refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving!

Easy?  Definitely!  Delicious?  DEFINITELY!

Enjoy!

Scrumptious Crab Salad

The weather is getting warmer!  Finally!  Although admittedly, I don't mind the bitter cold, I DO mind the snow and ice!  You know the hot weather will get here and we will all be whining about how hoooooooot it is, right? HA!

So let me just give you a quick rundown of a few foods my husband strongly dislikes...
celery
carrots
bell pepper
olives

The list goes on, HOWEVER.....all of these things are in this crab salad that he deems "BEST EVER"

When my husband and I decided to make this, he wanted it loosely based on his favorite crab salad he had ever eaten from home at a place called "Mulford's Seafood" in Millville, NJ.  Imagine my surprise when he wrote a list of ingredients he wanted in it.  WHAT?  Where is my husband?!?!  I wasn't surprised he didn't want onions, I mean, he has now convinced himself he is allergic to them after all!  He is so adorable!  We tweaked, and twisted, and added and subtracted and came up with a salad he now says is his favorite.   I don't like crab salad, so when I tell you this is "amazing", that is all hubby talking!  Summer time is a huge sandwich season for us.  Cold salads, deli meat, etc.  Anything to not heat up the kitchen!

This is really easy to toss together and the longer you let it chill in the fridge, honestly, the better it gets.  Serve it on a salad, on a roll, rolled up in a tortilla, you name it, you can use it to carry this deliciousness to your lips!  I hope you like it!

12 ounces crab meat (imitation or real)
3/4 tsp. celery seed
1/4 tsp. salt
1/3 cup very finely minced green bell pepper
1/4 cup finely minced celery
1/3 cup finely grated carrots
1/4 cup chopped black olives
3/4 cup Hellmann's Mayo

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl.  Chill for at least 3 hours before serving.  My husband says, "no, it needs to sit overnight".  I served these on buttered and toasted ciabatta rolls!

I hope you enjoy this as much as my dear husband does!!

ENJOY!