Skip to content

Robert St. John

Restaurateur, author, enthusiastic traveler, & world-class eater.

Smoked and Grilled Soft-Shell Crab

Ingredients

6 fresh soft shell crabs

1/3 cup No- Stick Grilling Marinade for seafood

2 tsp kosher salt

1 tsp black pepper, fresh ground

Basil Aoili

2 Egg Yolks

1 tsp Dijon mustard

1 Tbl Garlic, minced

1/2 tsp Kosher salt

2 tsp Lemon Juice

1 Tbl Balsamic Vinegar

1 1/2 cups Light Olive Oil

1/2 cup Fresh Basil Leaves, roughly chopped

1 tsp Black Pepper, freshly ground

Instructions

Using kitchen shears, remove the eyes and gills from the soft shell crabs.

Brush the crabs with the marinade and marinate for 20 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Prepare the grill. Drain the water from the soaking wood chips and disperse half of the chips over the hot coals. Place the crab over indirect medium heat and cook for 12-14 minutes, turning once while smoking Move the crabs to direct medium heat and add the remaining wood chips to the coals. Cook for 4-5 minutes, turning once. Gently remove the crabs from the grill and serve with basil aioli.

Basil Aoili

Place the egg yolks, mustard, garlic and salt in a blender. Puree on medium speed for 1-2 minutes. Add the lemon juice and the vinegar and then slowly begin drizzling in the olive oil. If the mixture becomes too thick, use a small amount of warm water to thin it. Add basil and black pepper and continue pureeing until the basil is thoroughly incorporated. Store refrigerated until needed.

Yield: 1 1/2 cups

Recent Recipes

Grilled Tripletail with Lump Crab and Chive Beurre Blanc

Tripletail has always been my favorite Gulf fish. The old-timers used to say, "If you can see a tripletail, you can catch a tripletail." They have this peculiar habit of floating near the surface around buoys, crab traps, and other floating objects, often lying on their sides and appearing almost lifeless. This behavior makes them easy to spot and, if you're quick with your cast, easy to hook. The meat is mild, white, and flaky—perfect for grilling. Pairing it with lump crab and a chive beurre blanc elevates this dish to something truly special.

Read more

Potato Gratin

Potatoes are the one vegetable I could never give up. Fried, roasted, mashed, or scalloped—doesn’t matter, they’re always on the table in one form or another. This gratin is my favorite way to make them feel a little more special. It’s rich, creamy, and just decadent enough to make it feel like you’re putting in some extra effort. There’s a good bit of cheese in this recipe, but that’s exactly how it should be. The combination of sharp white Cheddar, gruyere, and Parmesan gives it the perfect balance of nuttiness, creaminess, and tang. And using Yukon gold potatoes instead of russets makes a big difference. They have just the right amount of starch to get creamy without getting mushy. This dish is a showstopper on the holiday table, but I’d eat it on a random Tuesday without hesitation.

Read more

Orange Cranberry Muffins

These muffins are like Christmas morning in a bite—bright, citrusy orange paired with tart, bursting cranberries. The combination feels like something you'd find in a festive basket dropped off by a thoughtful neighbor. Perfect for Christmas gift giving or to have on hand for guests throughout the holiday.

Read more