Red Abalone Tiradito
This winter, gather friends for an elegant cocktail party to usher in the new year with style. This carefully composed appetizer explodes with flavor and pairs perfectly with Jordan Chardonnay.
Pair with: Jordan Chardonnay
Preparation time: 45 minutes
Rinse abalone and remove from shell. An oyster knife works well on small abalone. Reserve shell. Cut top or “neck” off and discard. Trim all black fringe from abalone and discard. Rinse again. With a paring knife, remove as much skin as possible. Carefully slice cleaned abalone in half. Tenderize abalone by pounding with a mallet or with the side of a heavy cleaver. Scrub shells, pat dry and refrigerate.
In a nonreactive bowl combine lime juice, garlic, sea salt and abalone slices. Marinate for 25 minutes.
While the abalone are marinating, prepare salsa. Combine all salsa ingredients, and season to taste.
To plate, arrange two slices of abalone at the shallow end of the shell. Spoon salsa over, and garnish with a slice of fresh chili and a sprig of cilantro.
* Abalone is available online from Giovanni’s Fish Market & Galley out in Morro Bay. Fresh squid makes a great alternative to the abalone.
