Creamy Crab Salad Lettuce Cups

Some weeknights I want dinner on the table without turning on a single burner, and this is the dish I reach for. Lettuce cups have a long history as a light, cool way to eat, from the chilled wrapped salads of many Asian kitchens to the simple lettuce-leaf lunches people have packed for generations. Crab fits right in. Canned white crab is a practical pantry staple, and it has a delicate, sweet flavor that doesn't need much help.

A quick word on the crab itself. White crab meat is mostly the leg meat, which is why it comes out in flakes rather than shreds. Because it is so tender, it is easy to break it up too much when you stir. I fold it in gently, and I leave a few larger pieces whole so each cup has some bite. Draining the cans well matters more than people expect. Any leftover liquid will thin the dressing and make the lettuce soggy by the time you sit down.

The dressing is mostly a light mayonnaise and plain nonfat Greek yogurt, brightened with lemon juice and a few drops of hot sauce. The yogurt keeps it tangy and creamy at once, so you don't need a heavy hand with the mayo. Taste it before you spoon anything onto the leaves. Lemon varies a lot from fruit to fruit, and a pinch more lemon can wake the whole bowl up.

Leftover crab mix keeps in a covered container in the fridge for a day or so. Keep it separate from the lettuce until serving, since the leaves wilt fast once they meet the dressing. A leftover scoop is also good spooned over sliced cucumber or stuffed into a halved tomato for lunch the next day.

For a fuller meal, serve the cups with a bowl of sliced cucumbers, radishes and cherry tomatoes, or a handful of steamed snap peas for a little crunch. If you want something warm alongside, a simple plate of grilled shrimp or a piece of fish works well and keeps the table feeling balanced. These are the recipes I would pair with it:

• Spicy Grilled Tuna with Creamy Mustard Sauce brings a smoky char that plays nicely against the cool crab.
• Zesty Lemon Garlic Shrimp Skewers makes a bright, hot partner for the lettuce cups.
• Chickpea Tuna Salad with Lemon is another no-cook option if you want a second cold plate on the table.

Lettuce cups are casual food. Pull the leaves off the head, let everyone build their own, and don't worry about tidiness. The best ones usually come out a little messy.