March is that time of year here in Germany where absolutely nothing is in season. The spring fruits & veggies have yet to make an appearance and the winter goods are starting to dwindle. It’s quite depressing really, it feels like we are all just holding our breath for April. Maybe that’s why I have been feeling a bit blah about some of the recipes this month, and I have a feeling that it contributed to the downfall of this week’s French Fridays with Dorie recipe, Crab & Grapefruit Salad. Maybe I was just expecting more, maybe my ingredients weren’t in their prime, but this was a little bland for me. I really liked the idea of this salad, I like all of the ingredients separately, but somehow it just didn’t work in the end.
To start with, I couldn’t find any fresh crab and about had a heart attack when I saw that a small can of crab cost €20! Eek! And Dorie’s recipe actually needed two of those cans. In the end, I just couldn’t do it. I decided to buy one can of crab and make up the difference with crayfish. Which might have been the cause of my problem right there.
To try to make up a bit of the flavor I decided to take Dorie’s advice and add an avocado. If there is a more perfect food than a perfectly ripe avocado, I have no idea what it is. Everything looked so colorful and promising as it was coming together. I had such high hopes. But it just didn’t have the flavor punch I had hoped for. Oh well, can’t win em all.
Here’s lookin at you April.
one expat's life 
I used shrimp because I was just making this for one and I didn’t want to sepnd all that $ on crab. You should try that – it is a great combo. “Here’s looking at you April” – You must be kidding right? Sardine rillettes 😦 (my worst nightmare!!!) Have a great weekend!
Well, even though it didn’t wow you, your salad is certainly gorgeous!!! And I’m giggling at Mardi’s comment…my hubby would agree with her!!! Have a great week, my friend~
Sorry this left you with little flavor. Kudos for trying it, even with the avocado!
Aww, bummer! Not being able to get fresh crab meat probably had a big role in the problem! Oh well. Onward!
Your salad looks beautiful, but I am so sorry it didn’t have the flavor to match.
It looks very pretty – even if it wasn’t a hit for you.
There is NOTHING in season over/ up here either. Looking forward to finally seeing some fresh items…
I love crayfish and could see it working with this salad. I hope that if there’s a next time you keep the bottle of sriracha handy. 😉
Like many, I’m already fearing the sardine rilletes. Why couldn’t we go baby steps and do the salmon first?
I couldn’t get enough of one crab and had to buy a less flavorful one too. I won’t do that again. I still loved the salad. Beautiful blog!
I’m sorry this wasn’t a hit for you but I agree with everyone else, it looks very pretty!. I’m scared of the sardine rillettes too but I’m making it and bringing it to my nephew’s 1st birthday party on Sunday because his grandmother is crazy about sardines. That way even if I don’t like it, hopefully someone will! I’ve never had crayfish before but I’m intrigued – it looks pretty good to me in the can.
Awww, what a disappointment after spending so much on the ingredients. I feel for you. Your salad certainly looks very pretty with all the rainbow of colours. Hope the next recipe will be a better experience for you!
BTW, I can’t wait to visit Germany in mid May! Going to Damp!
Sorry it didn’t WOW you, especially because it was pricey. Looks good:)
I would think crayfish would work quite well in this recipe…your salad certainly looks lovely! Sorry it didn’t do it for you! We really enjoyed this one. Have a great weekend!
Sardine Rilletts….REALLY?? Who voted for those? LOL!
Aye curumba, 20 euros! My fresh crab cost $6, which seems almost a bargain by comparison. Sorry it didn’t have the flavour kick that you would have liked. Have a great weekend!
I thought this one was a bit bland too, but then I attributed that to preggers taste buds… but I’m glad I’m not the only one! So I didnt love it, but I did enjoy the idea and the process and cant wait to make it again with some tweaks to “spice it up” a bit 🙂 Here’s to april!
I hate this in-between season foodwise. Sorry to hear this wasn’t a favorite, though I would have thought the crawfish would work well with the other flavors in this one. Your salad looks so colorful and festive, even if you didn’t enjoy it.
I am also bummed that this gorgeous salad (your photo is beautiful) didn’t provide the taste you wanted. First, I think you have to be “in the mood”, and, right now, in the United States it’s Spring and fresh fruits and veggies and daffodils are popping up throughout the country. It helps when making meals, believe me. And, the price of crab. I gagged also. I paid $18 for a pound. Believe me, I didn’t waste one tiny sliver of crab. I don’t know if things are going to get better for us —- this coming month is a s-t-r-e-t-c-h. Alles Gute zum Frühling, Mary
I am so sorry about the blah, I thought the crayfish would have been a good addition. Your pictures are beautiful! Hopefully April will be better!
Great looking salad, even if the taste wasn’t what you hoped. I was also freaked by the cost of crab.
I agree, this salad was not nearly as flavorful as I was expecting from reading the ingredient list. Yours certainly looks pretty, though. I’ve never had crayfish but they have great color!
For me the problem wasn’t so much the crab, but I could hardly taste the grapefruit. The idea seemed so amazing that I think I was extra disappointed!
I guess I missed the part about the optional avocado, but can’t imagine it would boost flavor. Not to worry, you’ll be cooking your way outa this blase dish soon!
Spring is right around the corner to perk up the cooking blahs. I go through that in the summer, when everyone is posting all this great produce and I’m left with not much – too hot for the Farmers Market, our population dwindles down to a 1/4 of what it is in the winter months so the grocery markets barely keep anything fresh in the produce/meat departments. Sorry the salad missed the flavor for you, I haven’t caught up yet – but I’ll keep in mind I might need to enhance it a bit.