Crab and Pear Taj Mahal Recipe

Peel the pears, slice in half lengthwise, and remove core from the center.

Poach with lemon juice until pears are barely tender. Let cool for five minutes. In a bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, egg yolk, curry powder, salt and pepper. In another bowl, combine the crab meat, cucumbers, scallions and the ginger root. Carefully fold in half of the mayonnaise mixture into the crab mixture. Mix carefully so as not to break the crab meat. Fill pears with the crab mixture: put in a low-sided pan at 350 degrees and bake until crab starts to brown on top. If desired, decorate with paprika and parsley when served. Extra mayonnaise may be used on crab.

This recipe is credited to Elaine Walker of Crisfield, Md., and was the 3rd place winner of the 1986 Crab Cooking Contest in Crisfield, Md.