Raos Seafood Salad

RAO'S SEAFOOD SALAD

Steps:

• Holding the tentacles, run warm water into the pan. Under the running water, gentle rub between the palms of your hands, pushing the black specks and colored skin from the tentacles. Drain well and pat dry. Combine the rings and tentacles in a colander. Cover with a damp cloth and set aside to drain for about 20 minutes. Refrigerate if not using immediately. Peel, de-vein, remove tails, and butterfly shrimp. Cover with water and bring to a boil in a small saucepan. Immediately remove from heat, drain, and refresh in cold running water. Gently press in a clean kitchen towel to dry well. Cut into quarters. If not using immediately, cover with a damp towel and refrigerate. In a nonreactive bowl, whisk together the oil, remaining lemon juice, garlic, parsley, and salt and pepper to taste. Add shrimp and squid to the oil mixture. Toss to coat. Using a slotted spoon, remove seafood from oil mixture and place on a serving plate. Add crabmeat to oil mixture and very gently turn to coat. Using a slotted spoon, remove crab from the oil mixture and gently fold into the shrimp-squid mixture. Add lobster to the oil mixture. Gently toss to coat. Using a slotted spoon, remove lobster from oil mixture and place on top of salad. Discard garlic from oil mixture. Pour remaining oil mixture over salad and serve immediately, garnished with lemon wedges.

RAO'S MARINARA SAUCE

Steps:

• Remove tomatoes from can and place in a large bowl, reserving juices. Crush tomatoes using your hands; remove and discard the hard core from stem end, and any skin and tough membrance, set aside.
• Place oil in a large, nonreactive saucepan over medium-low heat. Add onion, and cook until soft and just beginning to brown, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic, and cook until softened, about 30 seconds. Stir in tomatoes and reserved juices, season with sale, increase heat and bring to a boil. Immediately reduce heat to low and simmer until slightly thickened, about 1 hour.
• Stir in basil, if using, oregano, and season with pepper, continue cooking 1 minute more. Remove from heat and serve.