Description
Succulent holiday baked stuffed shrimp nestled with luscious crab meat create an elegant seafood centerpiece. Coastal New England flavors meld perfectly, promising a memorable dining experience you’ll savor with delightful anticipation.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs (907 g) colossal or jumbo shrimp (13–15 count per pound), peeled, deveined, and butterflied
- 1 lb (454 g) lump crabmeat (jumbo lump, claw, or lump crabmeat can be used)
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (Italian, panko, or buttery cracker crumbs)
- 4 tbsps butter, melted
- 2 tsps Old Bay seasoning (or a medium heat Cajun seasoning)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tbsps chipotle sauce (or chipotles in adobo, blended)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 squeeze of lemon juice, for garnish
- 1 tsp finely chopped cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 375°F, establishing an optimal thermal environment for the seafood delicacy.
- Flavor Infusion: Butterfly shrimp and coat with olive oil, seasoning comprehensively using garlic powder, Old Bay, black pepper, and sea salt to create a robust flavor foundation.
- Crab Stuffing Construction: Blend egg, mayonnaise, and chipotle sauce into a smooth emulsion, then delicately fold in lump crab meat and breadcrumbs to craft a light, textured filling.
- Assembly: Distribute crab stuffing atop each shrimp, elegantly draping the tail over the filling to create compact, visually appealing parcels.
- Baking Process: Arrange stuffed shrimp in a single layer within an oven-safe skillet, ensuring adequate spacing for uniform heat distribution and consistent cooking.
- Thermal Transformation: Roast for 20-25 minutes, tracking until shrimp turn translucent and stuffing develops a golden, crisp exterior.
- Complementary Sauce: Concurrently prepare garlic butter by gently melting butter with minced garlic, optionally introducing an additional chipotle sauce splash for enhanced complexity.
- Finishing Touches: Extract shrimp from oven, lavishly drizzle with aromatic garlic butter, then garnish with freshly chopped cilantro and a bright lemon juice accent to elevate the dish’s sensory profile.
Notes
- Prep Seafood Perfectly: Butterfly shrimp carefully to maximize stuffing capacity and ensure even cooking, creating an elegant presentation.
- Season Strategically: Balance spices like Old Bay, garlic powder, and black pepper to enhance natural seafood flavors without overwhelming delicate meat.
- Monitor Cooking Carefully: Watch shrimp closely during roasting to prevent overcooking, ensuring they remain tender and opaque with a golden-brown stuffing crust.
- Elevate with Finishing Touches: Drizzle warm garlic butter and sprinkle fresh cilantro just before serving to add vibrant flavor and professional restaurant-style appeal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg