Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Southwest flavors, Italian style
Q. Café Centro is one of my favorite places to visit with friends. We love the food, wine and entertainment. Always watching our waistlines, we appreciate the chef ’s lighter Italian dishes. How can we re-create his delicious crab and avocado bruschetta at home? It would be the perfect appetizer for my next girl’s night. — Yvonne Pucci, Jupiter
A.
Executive chef Jamie Steinbrecher of Cafe Centro (2409 N. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, 561-514-4070, cafecentrowpb.com) recently lightened up his Italian menu to coincide with summer dining preferences. The crab and avocado bruschetta is a result.
“I love both the classic flavors of Italy and also Southwestern cuisine, so this recipe is a representation of those two styles — one of my favorite combinations,” Steinbrecher says. “This recipe is unique to Café Centro as we use American Southwest flavors — avocado, poblano, cilantro, roasted corn — to make bruschetta, which is a traditional Italian dish.”
As Yvonne mentions, the bruschetta makes a great appetizer, especially for entertaining since the recipe can be prepared in advance and bruschetta topped just before guests arrive. And it’s versatile, too. Transform the dish into a refreshing summer luncheon or light dinner by serving the crab and avocado mixture over salad greens and pairing it with a chilled soup.
“A couple of important things to keep in mind when preparing this dish include picking avocados that are ripe, but not over ripe. They should give a bit to the touch,” Steinbrecher says. “And second, be sure to lightly fold the ingredients together so as to not to break the crab meat too much.”
If you’re “in the biz,” Café Centro offers “Chef ’s Night Out” on Monday nights in the piano lounge. Starting at 7 p.m. hospitality service industry workers with proof of employment enjoy special drink prices and blues with Joey George.
Other summer promotions include half price bottles of wine under $80 on Tuesdays with the purchase of two entrees, Ladies Night on Thursdays in the piano lounge with the soulful sounds of Tessie Porter and happy hour drink prices all night. Gregg Jackson kicks off weekends on Fridays with R&B and jazz.
The launch of the monthly “Women & Wine” is Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. featuring an array of small plates paired with sparkling, rosé, white and red wines. Reservations are required; call 561-514-4070.