You may recall me telling you that I recently binged my way through Anthony Bordain’s Parts Unknown, fangirling on it years behind the curve (par for the course, really). I’ve discovered places that I absolutely do not want to visit, and others that jumped right to the top of a mental list that is already way too long (Burma and Spain, I’m looking at you).
In one of my favorite episodes from early on, he and his famous-chef buddy Eric Ripert* traipsed through Peru, hunting down a pretty unique form of cacao (a worthy journey for sure). it had me seeing Peru beyond Cusco and the Inca Trail and the food, well, it’s the seafood and citrus of which all of my dreams are made. One dish in particular really caught my eye and I wanted to make it right away, causa limeña.
So what is this? It’s a cold potato, crab and avocado terrine- perfect for these days when turning on any sort of indoor cooking flame is frowned upon and we’re looking for food that provides sustenance and substance outside the world of salad. This hits all the marks.
Potatoes get a quick boil and mash, and some seasonings, and is then layered with an easy mayo-free crab salad (with canned crab) and some citrusy avocado. Chilled to form and eaten cold- it was one of those things that I wasn’t sure I liked upon first bite, but before I knew it, my plate was empty.
And there you have it.
*I recently got to meet Chef Eric when his book tour for 32 Yolks hit Chicago. He couldn’t have been a nicer guy- fangirling there, too.
Recipe notes:
I made this into 4- 1/2 cup mini-terrines because serving size 1 is my reality. If you’re making this for a crowd, feel free to use a loaf pan.
Written after The Secret Life of Pets
Causa Limeña
Peruvian Causa Limeña, a terrine of smashed spiced potato, crab salad and avocado is the perfect cool dish for those hot days and an explosion of flavor!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, quartered
- 1/2 TB unsalted butter
- 1 TB milk
- 1/4 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp chipotle in adobo, diced
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 pound crab meat, canned
- 2 limes, juiced
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
- 2 avocados
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tomato, diced, to garnish
Directions
- Step 1 Prep the potatoes: Put them in a medium pot. Cover the potatoes with cold water, bring to a boil, and cook the potatoes until fork-tender, about 20 minutes.
- Step 2 Drain the potatoes and put them back in the pot. Add the butter, milk, chili powder, paprika, chipotle, salt and turmeric. Mix until all is well combined and the butter is melted. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
- Step 3 Place the crabmeat and add the juice of 1 lime and 2 TB cilantro. Set aside.
- Step 4 Finally, scoop out all of the flesh of the avocados and place it in a bowl. Add the juice of the other lime, remaining cilantro, salt and smash with a fork. Set aside.
- Step 5 Assemble the terrine by lining 4 1/2 cup custard cups or ramekins with plastic wrap, making sure there is a 2″ overhang on all sides. Divide the avocado mixture into the four cups and place in an even layer. Repeat with the crab and finally the potatoes. Fold the plastic wrap over the mashed potato, covering the terrine well and put in the refrigerator for five hours.
- Step 6 When ready to serve, remove the terrine from the refrigerator and open the plastic wrap. Invert each ramekin onto the serving plate and carefully lift off ramekin. Peel off the plastic wrap, top with diced tomatoes and serve.
A new dish to me, but if it has avocado and crab…then I definitely love it.
Can’t go wrong with that combo, right?
My sister is a vegatarian who eats fish and dairy, so she would love this recipe! Next time she comes to Michigan (she lives in CA), I hope to be able to make it for her.
Definitely let me know if she tries it and what she thinks!
i was having a hard time thinking of the taste of cold potatoes….and then I remembered potato salad. Right. Totally a Monday. Excellent warm weather alternative. It is so effing hot and getting hotter this week.
This looks great — perfect for when The Honey gets home from a business trip tonight around 10 and will be hungry; whaddya serve at 10 at night that doesn’t involve heat??? Thanks for the great recipe.
You’re welcome! You’ll have to let me know what you think. It was a delicious surprise on my end.
Hi Chrissy: It was a BIG hit. Really BIG hit. Thanks again. Never knew that canned crab could be so good.
YES!! So glad to hear it 🙂