'WITH EVERY LEAF A MIRACLE' (HOSTA HEAVEN) ~ SOFT-SHELL CRAB SANDWICH with LEMON TARTER SAUCE

" … with every leaf, a miracle. "

~ Walt Whitman

HOSTA HEAVEN

HEAVENLY COMPANIONS

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SOFT-SHELL CRAB SANDWICHES
~ Favorite when 'heavenly' soft-shell crabs are in season ...
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6 cleaned jumbo soft-shell crabs

1 cup buttermilk

1 cup crushed saltine crackers

coarse salt & freshly ground pepper

1/4 cup vegetable oil

4 Tbsp. unsalted butter

6 soft good bakery rolls

sliced tomato

sliced avocado

lemon wedges

• Cover crabs with buttermilk in large shallow ceramic/glass baking dish and refrigerate for 1-4 hours.
• Blend cracker crumbs with salt & pepper.
• Heat oil in large skillet until shimmering. Remove crabs from buttermilk and shake off excess. Add butter to oil and, when it stops sizzling, dredge half of crabs at a time in crumbs. Fry (undersides up) in skillet, turning once, until cooked through and crisp, about 4 minutes per side; adjust heat if oil gets too smoky.
• Set crab on bun, top with tomatoes and avocado and serve with lemon wedge on side. (6 servings)

LEMON TARTER SAUCE

1/2 cup regular or light mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1/3 cup drained chopped sweet pickle relish
1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1 Tbsp. grated lemon zest
pinch sea salt
Combine all ingredients early and chill to blend flavors.

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HOSTA (Plantain Lily)

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GARDENER'S NOTE: Heavenly leaves, prized for their lush foliage, color (green, ivory, yellow, chartreuse, bluish green, gold, creamy white), and interest are one of the most loved and dependable perennials for Michigan gardens (one of the best 'Gold Standard' was introduced by my hosta mentor, the late delightful Pauline Banyai of Royal Oak, whose garden I was thrilled to visit by her side.) Once established, theses hardy, fairly drought tolerant plants make attractive edging plants, ground cover and as woodland plants combine beautifully with ferns, wildflowers, astilbe and other light or partial shade plants. Slugs may be a problem but ... not in Hosta Heaven!