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Dungeness Crab and Garlicky Yogurt Pasta





Yields
Serves 6 (serving size: 1 1/2 cups)

At Saffron in Walla Walla, Washington, Chris Ainsworth fills tiny Turkish dumplings called manti with Dungeness crab and thick yogurt. We shamelessly took the easy route, with store-bought pasta, and used yogurt as a sauce. But we kept the touch of saffron and fruity Aleppo pepper.

su-Dungeness Crab and Garlicky Yogurt Pasta




Photo: Maren Caruso; Styling: Nissa Quanstrom
 2 cups labneh, homemade or store-bought*, or plain whole-milk Greek yogurt
  Zest and juice of 1 large lemon
 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
 1/2 teaspoon pepper
 2 garlic cloves, crushed with 1/4 tsp. salt in a mortar and pestle
 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
 1 pound dried pappardelle pasta or 1 1/4 lbs. fresh fettuccine
 1 pinch saffron threads
 1/4 cup butter
 3/4 pound shelled cooked Dungeness crab
 1/2 cup loosely packed small fresh dill sprigs
  About 2 tsp. Aleppo pepper*, Urfa biber*, or ground ancho chile
Step 1
1

Combine labneh, lemon zest and juice, salt, pepper, garlic, and oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Set aside.

Step 2
2

Cook pasta as package directs.

Step 3
3

Meanwhile, pulverize saffron with a mortar and pestle. Add 1/2 cup hot pasta water and loosen saffron bits. Pour into a small saucepan, add butter, and heat until simmering; keep hot. Microwave labneh-lemon mixture until hot but not boiling, 1 minute. Rinse crab with hot water in a strainer to warm.

Step 4
4

Drain pasta and return to pot. Toss with saffron butter. Add labneh mixture, crab, half of dill, and a little Aleppo pepper and toss very loosely to mix slightly. Pour into a warm rimmed bowl. Sprinkle with remaining dill and a little more Aleppo pepper. Serve with more Aleppo pepper at the table.

Step 5
5

*Find labneh at Middle Eastern markets, Aleppo pepper in some stores' spice aisles, and Aleppo and Urfa biber at worldspice.com

Nutrition Facts

Servings 0


Amount Per Serving
Calories 583Calories from Fat 40
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 27g42%

Saturated Fat 13g65%
Cholesterol 74mg25%
Sodium 575mg24%
Total Carbohydrate 60g20%

Dietary Fiber 2.8g12%
Protein 28g57%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.