Kitchen queen Ina Garten has been cooking her way into our hearts since The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook made its debut over two decades ago. We’ve taken her cooking tips to heart, she’s wowed us with her famous chocolate cake recipe and now she’s back with a brand-new book, Modern Comfort Food.
Lucky for us, Ina just dropped a recipe that epitomizes what modern comfort food is—and right in time for Super Bowl season. Get ready for fresh crab nachos. That’s right, crab!
See the foods Ina loves to cook—and eat.
How to Make Ina’s Crab Nachos
Fresh crab might seem like an intimidating ingredient to work with, but the recipe is easy. In fact, Ina categorizes it as “beginner.” If you’ve mastered the art of nachos, i.e. combining meat, cheese and chiles on top of tortilla chips, you have all the knowledge you need.
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The gist is that you fold the crab meat into a creamy base of sour cream, cream cheese and mayonnaise, then perk it up with lime juice and chiles. You spoon dollops of this indulgent mixture over a bed of sturdy corn chips arranged on a sheet pan. The whole thing is then topped with shredded cheddar and Monterey jack and baked in the oven. The final touch is a salsa-ish garnish of diced fresh jalapenos, tomatoes, onions, ripe avocados and cilantro. Chef’s kiss!
Psst… Need fresh crabmeat delivered? Check out Browne Trading Company, SoPo Seafood or Downeast Dayboat.
She’s Got a Secret Hack
While shredded crabmeat is more economical, the Barefoot Contessa herself recommends splurging and using jumbo lump crabmeat instead. That way you can really taste the crab, instead of it getting lost in all the ingredients.
If you happen to be blessed with extra crabmeat, you’ll want to dig into our collection of crab recipes that include classic crab cakes, creamy soups and decadent dips.
Crab Recipes to Make When You're in the Mood for Seafood
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Classic Crab Boil
Dig in to Dungeness crab boiled in a special mix of spices. —Matthew Hass, Franklin, Wisconsin
Wasabi Crab Cakes
With wasabi in both the crab cakes and the dipping sauce, this festive appetizer brings its own heat to the holiday party. —Marie Rizzio, Interlochen, Michigan
Avocado Crab Boats
These boats are wonderful with tortilla chips, beans or rice. You can also cover them, pack them on ice, and take them to a picnic or potluck. Straight from the oven or cold, they're always delicious. —Frances Benthin, Scio, Oregon
Hot Crab Pinwheels
I got the recipe for these crabmeat bites from a friend. What amazed me most is that my husband, who hates seafood, couldn't stop eating them. —Kitti Boesel, Woodbridge, Virginia
Apricot Crab Stuffed Acorn Squash
This light squash recipe is quick, simple and bursting with rich flavors. It looks so elegant when served on a lovely platter. —Judy Armstrong, Prairieville, Louisiana
Sweet Potato and Crab Soup
This sweet and savory soup is quick and easy to prepare. You can substitute butternut squash or pumpkin for the sweet potatoes, depending on what you have on hand. —Judy Armstrong, Prairieville, Louisiana
Crab-Stuffed Flounder with Herbed Aioli
If you like seafood, you’ll love this scrumptious flounder. The light and creamy aioli sauce tops it off with fresh tones of chives and garlic. —Beverly O'Ferrall, Linkwood, Maryland
Three-Cheese Crab & Artichoke Dip
This is my absolute favorite go-to recipe for parties, potlucks and family events. Have plenty of bread and veggies for dipping, otherwise people will eat it with a spoon. —Jasmin Baron, Livonia, New York
Crab, Grapefruit and Watercress Salad
The flavor of crab is always wonderful with grapefruit, avocado and watercress. The addition of a delicious poppy seed dressing makes this simple-to-prepare salad extra special! —Lisa Speer, Palm Beach, Florida
Spicy Crab Salad Tapas
I served these at a party and everyone went wild! These delicious morsels have a crispy flaky outside filled with creamy sweet crab that has a little kick. I used scalloped-edge cookie cutters to cut my pastry, but you can use a small biscuit cutter. —Vanessa Mason, Summerdale, Alabama
Crabmeat Boats
I've been making this recipe for more than 40 years. You can also spread the filling on small rolls and serve them as an appetizer. —June Strang, Grand Blanc, Michigan
Shrimp & Crab Casserole
This quick, easy recipe is truly delicious. The succulent, melt-in-your-mouth seafood flavors and textures make for elegant comfort food. To make ahead, just assemble, cover and refrigerate, then bake when ready. —Jan Bartley, Evergreen, North Carolina
Baked Crab Rangoons
When I'm dining out, crab rangoons are one of my go-to dishes. I decided to create a better-for-you version at home. —Emily Higgins, Wingdale, New York
Seafood Cioppino
If you're looking for a great seafood recipe for your slow cooker, this classic fish stew is just the ticket. It's brimming with clams, crab, fish and shrimp, and is fancy enough to be an elegant meal. —Lisa Moriarty, Wilton, New Hampshire
Crab Cake Stuffed Mushrooms
These tender mushrooms with their crispy golden topping are always popular at parties! The crab filling is a delicious special occasion treat. Serve them while they're warm. —Nancy Aiello, Bloomery, West Virginia
Creamy Seafood Bisque
This deceptively simple bisque makes a special first course or even a casual meal with a salad or bread. I like to top bowlfuls with shredded Parmesan cheese and green onions. —Wanda Allende, Orlando, Florida
Seafood Casserole
A family favorite, this rice casserole is stuffed with plenty of crab and shrimp to make a special dish that's also hearty, homey and so easy to make! —Nancy Billups, Princeton, Iowa
Crab and Asparagus Soup
I get rave reviews from family and friends whenever I make this soup, but the biggest compliment was when my son called to ask for the recipe so he could make it for his roommates. —Patti Bogetti, Magnolia, Delaware
Basil-Lemon Crab Linguine
I always add herbs to pasta to really punch up the flavor. This linguine looks and tastes like it's from a five-star restaurant. We love it. —Tonya Burkhard, Palm Coast, Florida
White Seafood Lasagna
We make lasagna with shrimp and scallops as part of the traditional Italian Feast of the Seven Fishes. Every bite delivers a tasty “jewel” from the sea. —Joe Colamonico, North Charleston, South Carolina
Creamy Seafood Enchiladas
Shrimp and crab plus a flavorful sauce add up to outstanding enchiladas. I made them for an annual fundraiser, and now they’re always in demand. Spice up the recipe to your taste by adding more green chiles and salsa. —Evelyn Gebhardt, Kasilof, Alaska
Aunt Nancy's Cream of Crab Soup
My sister Nancy is one of the best cooks I know. When my daughter was getting married, I put together a cookbook of her favorite family recipes—Nancy's soup was a must-have. Our family often had this with a salad before Christmas Eve services. —Lynne German, Buford, Georgia
Carolina Crab Boil
This pot is a fun way to feed a crowd for a tailgate. You can serve it two ways: Drain the cooking liquid and pour out the pot on a paper-lined table so folks can dig in, or serve it as a stew in its liquid over hot rice. —Melissa Pelkey Hass, Waleska, Georgia
Cheese & Crab Brunch Bake
Who doesn't love a cheesy seafood casserole that can be pulled together in thirty minutes, popped in the fridge overnight, and ready for its baked up debut the next day? —Joyce Conway, Westerville, Ohio
Crab Crescents
This recipe is so good, no one will guess how quickly you put it together. These little bites are delicious and decadent! —Stephanie Howard, Oakland, California
Spicy Shrimp & Crab Cocktail
This seafood starter is so good that it makes me love a food I usually don't—radishes! This recipe also calls for spicy V8, but Zing Zang Bloody Mary Mix works just as well. Serve the cocktail straight up, with tortilla chips or on a bed of butter lettuce. —Heidi Knaak, Liberty, Missouri
Maryland-Style Crab Soup
Try this hearty soup that incorporates the best of vegetable soup and flavorful crab. I break whole crabs and claws into pieces and drop them into the soup to cook, then serve it with saltine crackers and a cold beer. —Freelove Knott, Palm Bay, Florida
Coastal Carolina Muffin-Tin Frittatas
Incorporating the flavors of a low country South Carolina crab boil, these tasty frittatas are easy to make and fun to eat. If you have leftover cooked potatoes (roasted or boiled), try dicing them and substituting them for the refrigerated shredded potatoes in this recipe. —Shannon Kohn, Summerville, South Carolina
Cajun Crab Poppers
My brother moved to New Orleans and I love visiting him and his family whenever I can. These easy jalapeno poppers are stuffed with crab, cajun seasonings and bacon. They're a little hot and spicy, just like a visit to New Orleans! —Elizabeth Lubin, Huntington Beach, California
Crab Crescent Triangles
When friends who love crab were planning a party, I created this recipe just for them. These comforting baked bundles wrap up a cheesy seafood filling in convenient crescent roll dough. —Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota
Crab & Shrimp Stuffed Sole
The most casual cookout will seem elegant when it stars this delicate fish combined with seafood stuffing and a lemony sauce. Just add a salad and baguette. —Bryn Namavari, Chicago, Illinois
Slow-Cooker Crab Dip
With just 10 minutes of prep time, this creamy and delicious crab dip couldn't be easier. The recipe comes from my hometown cookbook. My co-workers rave about it at every potluck! —Julie Novotney, Rockwell, Iowa
Curried Crab Spread
At holiday time, I always have cream cheese and crabmeat on hand. In case of drop-ins, I just mix up an easy spread by adding mango chutney and spices. —Jennifer Phillips, Goffstown, New Hampshire
Crab Egg Foo Yong
Enjoy a classic Chinese takeout without leaving your home. This makes a quick dinner and is as delicious as what you would get in any restaurant. —Beverly Preston, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
Cajun Crab Burgers
Here's my take on the traditional crab cake. I like to top my sandwiches with Cajun remoulade and pile spicy baked sweet potato fries on the side. —Athena Russell, Florence, South Carolina
California Roll in a Jar
I'm a big sushi fan, but I don't always have time to make those intricate rolls at home. This jar is layered with my favorite California roll ingredients, so I can get the flavor I love without the fuss. —James Schend, Deputy Editor, Taste of Home Magazine
Herbed Seafood Casserole
A friend shared this recipe when I needed a seafood dish for my annual Christmas Eve buffet. The casserole is wonderfully rich and creamy. When it comes to Christmas seafood casserole recipes, this is one of the best. —Donna Schmuland, Wetaskiwin, Alberta
Baked Crab Dip
We enjoyed this exquisite crab dip at my grandson's wedding reception. It looks fancy but is easy to make. You can even fill the bread bowl early in the day and chill it until serving. Just remove it from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. —Marie Shelley, Exeter, Missouri
Gruyere and Crab Palmiers
I keep these little bursts of flavor in my freezer so they can be pulled out and popped into the oven whenever needed. Crab, pancetta and Gruyere make a sophisticated, elegant appetizer, and you can make your own variations on the filling. Try chicken and pesto, or a Mediterranean version with spinach and feta. —Grace Voltolina, Westport, Connecticut
Crab Louie Lettuce Wraps
Party guests can mingle and enjoy these tasty portable lettuce wraps without having to juggle plates and forks. — Michael Watz, Normal, Illinois
Blend of the Bayou
My sister-in-law shared this recipe with me when I first moved to Louisiana. It's been handed down in my husband's family for generations. It's quick to prepare, nutritious and beautiful. I've passed it on to my children, too. —Ruby Williams, Bogalusa, LouisianaThe post Ina Garten JUST Shared Her Recipe for Crab Nachos appeared first on Taste of Home.
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