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Perfect Creamy Crab Imperial Recipe Easy Elegant Seafood Feast

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A simple yet elegant creamy crab imperial recipe that is quick to prepare and perfect for dinner parties or special occasions. It features fresh lump crab meat in a rich, buttery, and cheesy sauce with a hint of Old Bay seasoning.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound fresh lump crab meat, picked over for shells
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise (120 ml)
  • 1/4 cup sour cream (60 ml)
  • 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (50 g)
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (15 ml)
  • 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning (2 g)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (15 ml)
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (5 ml)
  • 2 large eggs, beaten (room temperature)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (28 g)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
  • Optional: 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (25 g) for topping
  • Optional: A few dashes hot sauce

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8-inch (20×20 cm) baking dish with butter to prevent sticking.
  2. In a medium bowl, gently pick through lump crab meat to remove any shells, handling carefully to keep lumps intact.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and melted butter until smooth and creamy. Add beaten eggs and whisk until fully combined.
  4. Stir shredded cheddar cheese, Old Bay seasoning, salt, and black pepper into the wet mixture.
  5. Gently fold the crab meat into the creamy mixture, being careful not to break it up.
  6. Spoon the mixture into the prepared baking dish and smooth the top with a spatula. Sprinkle breadcrumbs evenly over the surface if using.
  7. Bake for 30-35 minutes until the top is bubbling and golden brown and the internal temperature reaches about 160°F (71°C).
  8. Let rest for 5 minutes, then sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top.
  9. Serve warm as a main dish or an impressive appetizer.

Notes

If the top browns too quickly, loosely cover the dish with foil halfway through baking. Handle crab gently to preserve lumps and avoid a mushy texture. Let the crab imperial come to room temperature before baking for best results. For gluten-free, omit breadcrumbs or use gluten-free breadcrumbs. Variations include adding cayenne pepper for heat or using dairy-free substitutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: crab imperial, creamy crab recipe, seafood feast, easy crab dish, elegant seafood, Old Bay seasoning, baked crab

Find it online: https://chloeplate.com/perfect-creamy-crab-imperial-recipe-easy-elegant-seafood-feast/