Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon smoked sweet paprika
- ⅛–¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ cup water
- 1 pound jumbo lump blue crabmeat, picked over
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- Sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
- 1 (9-ounce) bag tortilla chips
- 8 ounces high-quality colby cheese
- ¼ cup cilantro
- ¼ cup chopped red onion
- Fresh salsa or pico de gallo, for serving
- Guacamole, for serving
- Sour cream, for serving
Preparation
1. Heat oven to 350°.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until golden. Add tomato paste, garlic, chili powder, paprika, coriander, and cayenne pepper. Cook, stirring, until tomato paste has darkened and spices are toasted, about 2 minutes. Add water and scrape up bits from bottom of pan. Add crab and gently stir to combine and heat through. Add lime juice and season with salt and pepper.
3. Place a layer of tortilla chips on bottom of an oven-safe serving platter. Top with half the cheese and half crab mixture. Top with another layer of chips, remaining cheese, and remaining crab mixture. Transfer to oven until cheese is melted, about 5 minutes.
4. Remove from oven, top with cilantro and onion. Serve immediately with salsa, guacamole, and sour cream on the side.
