Description
Delectable jumbo lump crab cheese delight promises rich coastal flavors from Maryland’s culinary traditions. Creamy ingredients blend seamlessly for an elegant appetizer that seafood enthusiasts will savor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (453 g) lump crab meat, picked over for shells and cartilage
- ½ cup Gruyere cheese, grated
- ½ cup Fontina cheese, grated
- ½ cup (1 stick or 113 g) unsalted butter
- 12 oz (340 g) evaporated milk
- 2 large egg yolks, slightly beaten
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 celery rib, finely chopped
- 2 tbsps green onions, sliced (reserve some for garnish)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tsp hot sauce
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350°F, establishing the perfect thermal backdrop for this luxurious seafood creation.
- Aromatic Foundation: In a large skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat and sauté onion, celery, white green onion sections, and garlic until they become translucent and fragrant, releasing their vibrant essence for approximately 5 minutes.
- Sauce Development: Whisk egg yolks and evaporated milk in a separate bowl, then sprinkle flour into the vegetable mixture to form a delicate roux. Gradually incorporate the milk mixture, whisking continuously to create a silky, smooth sauce.
- Flavor Layering: Infuse the sauce with lemon juice, hot sauce, salt, cayenne, and black pepper, stirring consistently for 4-5 minutes to build a complex flavor profile. Fold half of the cheese blend into the sauce, allowing it to melt and create a rich, creamy consistency.
- Assembly and Baking: Distribute jumbo lump crab meat into individual oven-proof casseroles or an 8″x8″ baking dish. Pour the prepared cheese sauce over the crab, ensuring complete coverage. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top to create an enticing golden layer.
- Finishing Touch: Bake for 15 minutes until the dish becomes effervescent, then broil for 5 minutes to achieve a beautifully bronzed, crispy cheese crust.
Notes
- Prevent Crab Breakage: Handle jumbo lump crab meat gently to maintain large, delicate chunks and avoid shredding during mixing.
- Control Sauce Consistency: Whisk milk mixture slowly to prevent lumps and achieve a smooth, velvety texture that coats the crab perfectly.
- Optimize Cheese Melting: Add cheese gradually and stir constantly to ensure even melting without burning or creating greasy patches.
- Broiling Technique: Watch closely during the final 5-minute broil to achieve a golden-brown crust without burning the delicate cheese topping.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 21 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg