Description
Succulent crab imperial emerges as Maryland’s coastal culinary treasure, showcasing premium blue crab meat in a rich, creamy sauce. Coastal kitchens celebrate this classic dish with elegant simplicity and regional seafood pride.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) jumbo lump crab meat
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp hot sauce
- ½ tsp Old Bay seasoning
- ½ tsp salt-free lemon pepper seasoning
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350°F, establishing the perfect thermal environment for the imperial crab creation.
- Flavor Fusion: Blend mayonnaise, mustard, Old Bay seasoning, egg, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, lemon juice, and lemon pepper into a harmonious mixture, whisking until smooth and fully integrated.
- Crab Integration: Gently fold crab meat into the seasoned mixture, carefully maintaining the integrity of the delicate seafood lumps to preserve their natural texture and character.
- Baking Composition: Transfer the maritime mixture into a casserole dish, distributing evenly to ensure consistent heat penetration and flavor distribution throughout the preparation.
- Thermal Transformation: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, allowing the ingredients to warm through and meld their distinctive flavors into a cohesive culinary experience.
- Final Flourish: Activate the broiler to create a golden-brown crust, transforming the surface into a crisp, appetizing layer that adds visual and textural complexity to the dish.
- Presentation Finale: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and accompany with vibrant lemon wedges, enhancing the imperial crab’s natural maritime essence and providing a bright, citrusy counterpoint.
Notes
- Preserve Crab Lumps: Fold the crab meat gently to maintain large, delicate meat chunks, avoiding excessive mixing that could break the delicate seafood texture.
- Seasoning Balance: Adjust hot sauce and Old Bay carefully to complement the crab’s natural sweetness without overpowering its delicate flavor profile.
- Broiling Precision: Watch the dish closely during the final broiling stage to achieve a golden-brown crust without burning the delicate seafood surface.
- Serve Immediately: Enjoy the Crab Imperial right after cooking to experience the optimal temperature, texture, and flavor of the freshly prepared dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 21 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 23 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg