It's Jonah Crab Season, So Make Luke Lobster's Grilled Cheese
The magnificent Luke's Lobster grilled cheese, teeming with seasonal Jonah crab, is a treat to be savored. It's high time for Jonah crab, a tasty crustacean that inhabits the ice-cold winter waters of the East Coast. Too often, it's consider "leftovers" from lobster fishing, but it's really a delicacy all its own. And leave it to none other than NYC's famed house of shellfish Luke's Lobster to take full advantage of its newfound popularity as a sustainable shellfish option.
"The driving force behind putting the crab grilled cheese on our menu this winter was demand, but also that we wanted to highlight a new way to enjoy Jonah crab in the winter because peak harvesting season is January through April," says Ben Conniff, cofounder and president of Luke's Lobster. "Sustainable management of Jonah crab has also made major headway in recent years. The work we did helping to establish the Fishery Improvement Project for Jonah crab just last year ensures the long-term sustainability of the fishery, and it makes us more excited than ever to include it in new dishes our guests love!"
- 2 slices organic white bread
- 1/2 tablespoon salted butter
- 2 slices gruyere cheese
- 2 ounces steamed Jonah crab meat
- 1 pinch Luke's Lobster seasoning (equal parts dried ground thyme, ground oregano, celery salt, garlic salt, half part black pepper)
- Butter one side of each piece of bread.
- Place both slices on griddle or frying pan over medium heat, butter side down.
- Place one slice of Gruyère cheese on top of each slice of bread.
- Lightly sprinkle Luke’s Lobster seasoning over one slice of Gruyère-topped bread.
- Cover griddle or frying pan to allow cheese to fully melt.
- Once cheese is fully melted and bread is almost golden brown, evenly spread Jonah crab meat over one slice of bread and cover with other slice of bread.
- Let crab grilled cheese warm through one more minute. Remove from pan, slice in half and enjoy.