This juicy dish is the perfect complement to succulent, fresh crab. Crumbled feta, olives and Greek vinaigrette add a savory flavor that creates a most appealing side dish. Sweet, seasonal watermelon brings out crab’s clean, ocean taste and leaves diners feeling satisfied but not overly full. Don’t forget; its soft shell crab season and this wholesale food distributor has you covered.

Ingredients:

Cubed, Seeded Watermelon (085035)           1 ½ Qt.

Pitted Kalamata Olives (971778)                   ½ Cup

Crumbled Feta Cheese (021646)                    ½ Cup

Kraft’s Greek Vinaigrette

With Feta (902529)                                         ½ Cup

Preparation Instructions:

Combine all ingredients. Toss, cover and refrigerate.

Crab Poboys are a seasonal comfort food that most every diner enjoys. And we know seasonal comfort at this wholesale food distributor. The full fried taste helps satisfy appetites derived from long days on the beach. Direct heat from the fryer gives the crabs their characteristic outer crispiness. The addition of romaine and tomato help bring out the fresh taste of the crab when engulfed by bread and mayonnaise. Crab Poboys are definitely enjoyed as a menu entrée but can also please diners as part of a buffet. Product numbers are listed for your convince when ordering from AGAR.

Ingredients:

Soft Shell Crab (978831)                               1 Each

Old Bay Seasoning (814322)                          1 Tbl.

All-Purpose Flour (097220)                            1 Cup

Mayonnaise (926540)                                     ½ Cup

French Bread (922265)                                   1 Each

Romaine (081144)                                          1 Cup

Tomato (084587)                                            1 Each

Preparation Instructions:

Rinse and pat crabs dry. Combine flour and old bay seasoning. Dredge crabs in flour and making certain crabs are completely coated. Using tongs, carefully place crabs in fryolator. Cook until golden brown (2-3 minutes). Turn and continue cooking for 2-3 minutes. Remove and place on a paper plate. Split French bread and spread on mayonnaise. Top with romaine. Place crab on romaine top and cut. Serve with coleslaw.

When in season, soft shell crabs take only minutes to cook which makes it easy to prepare them traditionally, simply fried or sautéed. They also taste amazing when cooked on the broiler or grill. From there they can be added to any main course or salad. However, with the right side dishes on your menu, diners will enjoy the opportunity to eat grilled crabs merely off the grill. Adding this dish to your menu will keep customers happy in the summertime as they enjoy the taste of the sea. And this wholesale food distributor is here to help.

Ingredients:

Soft Shell Crabs (378837)                              4 Each

Chopped Parsley                                             ¼ Cup

Melted Butter                                                 ½ Cup

Frank’s Hot Sauce (815975)                           2 Dashes

Kikkoman Teriyaki Pineapple

Glaze (956069)                                               ½ tsp.

Preparation Instructions:

Clean and dry crabs. Combine remaining ingredients. Place crabs in a well oiled, hinged wire grill. Place crabs on grill and baste with sauce. Cooking time is about 8 minutes on each side. (Crabs should be lightly browned).

This is a delicate, Japanese inspired menu item that will please customers looking for a sumptuous meal that is still light and refreshing. Light, crunchy, Japanese Panko crumbs hold in the moisture of the crab leaving it tender and tasty. Citrus infused Ponzu sauce emotes the pure flavor of crab while the soy sauce enhances salty essences. When served on the side, the sauce can meet diner’s personal tastes by being used for dipping or poured over the top to blanket the entire dish. Product numbers are listed for your convince when ordering from AGAR.

Ingredients:

Soft Shell Crabs (378837)                      4 Each

Egg                                                                  1

Panko (814349)                                         ½ Cup

Salt and Pepper

Kikkoman Ponzu Sauce (966261)        2 Oz.

Preparation Instructions:

Heat fryolator to 350 degrees (or place oil in sauté pan and heat). Clean and dry crabs. Scramble egg and dip crabs then coat with Panko. Fry until breading is golden brown (crabs will turn red). Remove and season. Serve with Ponzu sauce on the side.

Although soft shell crabs are available frozen year-round, nothing compares with fresh crab during the peak spring and summer months. Be sure you are prepared to satisfy your diner’s yen for seasonal delights with a few of the above mentioned dishes and additional side dishes and condiments offered by AGAR, mentioned below: Product numbers are listed for your convenience when ordering from AGAR.

Ideas:

• Simplot Skincredible Potato Chips (923116) – Fry and season with Old Bay seasoning (or any other spice mix)
• Simplot Entrée Cut Sweet Potato Fry (947007) – Great dipping sauces or condiments
• Grey Poupon’s Bistro Sauce (990068)
• Minor’s Honey Citrus Pepper (968132)
• Minor’s Sweet and Spicy Plum Sauce (954267)
• Ken’s Boom Boom Sauce (960447)

Legend states that the subtle, briny taste of fresh blue crab is influenced by the phases of the moon. The recent passing of the first full moon in May marked the traditional beginning of springtime and soft shell crab season; with May through September being the most productive months. At this time, molting is complete and most of the succulent, juicy crab is edible when meat is easily picked off in small bits. The sweet and salty taste of crab encompasses the romantic essence of the sea and is eagerly anticipated by restaurant customers as temperatures begin to warm. This wholesale food distributor has all the ingredients for several tasty crab dishes and side dishes as well as condiment recommendations that enhance the flavors of the season to keep patrons satisfied and returning to enjoy the delicious delicacy from the sea.

Marinated Cucumber Salad  

This light dish is a fresh accompaniment to seasonal crab dishes. Ripe cucumbers enhance succulent crab meat to complete any mouth-watering crab meal. Onion and vinegar punch up the flavor a bit yet added dill keeps the overall tastes light and refreshing. Serve as a side dish on a summer menu or as part of a buffet. Product numbers are listed for your convince when ordering from AGAR.

Ingredients:

Seedless Cucumbers (084659)                       4 Each

Sweet White Onion (084429)                         1 Each

White Vinegar (098271)                                  1 Cup

White Sugar (097269)                                     ½ Cup

Water                                                              ¾ Cup

Fresh Dill (085245)                                         1 Tbl.

Preparation Instructions:

Thinly slice cucumbers and onion and place in a bowl. Bring water, sugar and vinegar to a boil. Pour liquid over cucumbers and onions then stir in dill. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

My grandfather started AGAR by selling certain cuts of meat to Chinese businesses in the 1940s. Since then we have continued to be a leader in this part of the marketplace because of our longstanding reputation for supplying these restaurants and because of our quality and pricing. We still have a part of the AGAR headquarters designated specifically for this part of our business and we have many long-time employees who to this day, maintain and service the customers that are in the Asian cuisine business.

At our food shows, we always have a dedicated section for our Asian cuisine and all the products we carry. You might think that some of this food hasn’t changed over the years but we are always showing our customers new products and new ways to build a better menu, save them money and build their bottom line.

While at our last food show, I had a chance to speak with one of those long-time employees Vincent Wong. Hear what he has to say about this loyal customer base and how this wholesale food distributor continues to help in this market.