Imitation crab salad

Turn a humble crab stick into a delicious imitation crab salad using only a few vegetables and simple pantry ingredients. I've got 2 versions to share today, but once you've got the basic recipe you can chop and change to your heart's content.

📝 Ingredients

• 1 cup / 170 grams uncooked orzo pasta
• 8 ounces / 225 grams imitation crab sticks
• 1 medium red pepper or capsicum (cleaned and finely diced)
• 2 to 3 spring onions (cleaned and finely sliced)
• 1 medium ripe avocado
• 1 cup / 240 ml Greek or Natural thick yoghurt
• 1 tablespoon tomato ketchup
• Salt (to taste)
• 8 ounces / 225 grams imitation crab sticks
• 2 to 3 spring onions (cleaned and finely sliced)
• 1 large stalk of celery (finely diced (approx 3/4 cup))
• 1/2 cup / 120 ml mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons tomato ketchup
• 1 teaspoon dried dill
• 4 to 5 drops tabasco sauce (optional)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1--- Imitation crab salad ---
2. 2Cook the pasta in lightly salted water according to the instructions on the packet.
3. 3Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Leave the pasta in a colander to drain.
4. 4Cut the crab sticks into half-inch lengths and finely slice the spring onions. Remove the seeds and membranes from the red pepper and dice it finely. Place them into a serving dish.
5. 5In a separate bowl, mash the avocado pear finely then mix in the yoghurt and the tomato ketchup.
6. 6Add the drained pasta to the chopped crab sticks and vegetables and pour in the avocado dressing.
7. 7Mix thoroughly to combine and optionally garnish with chopped parsley or extra spring onions.
8. 8Refrigerate until ready to serve.
9. 9--- Imitation crab starter (no pasta) ---
10. 10Slice the crab sticks, celery and spring onions and place them in a serving dish.
11. 11Combine the dressing ingredients in another small bowl.
12. 12Pour the dressing ingredients over the crab sticks and vegetables.
13. 13Mix thoroughly to combine all the ingredients and chill in the refrigerator until required.
14. 14Leave in the refrigerator to chill until required and arrange on a bed of lettuce to serve.