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Maryland Crab Imperial
 
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Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes
Ready In: 45 Minutes
Servings: 4
This is a wonderful crab dish, full of chunks of crab in a delicate cream sauce- no fillers here! This makes an elegant dinner entree for a special meal or can also be served as a first course. It can be made 2 to 3 hours ahead of when you want to serve it and refrigerated. Originally from a May 1983 issue of Bon Apetit magazine that featured Baltimore, Maryland.
Ingredients:
4 tablespoons unsalted butter (1/2 stick)
1 small yellow onion, minced
2 tablespoons flour
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
1/8 teaspoon white pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground mace
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup half-and-half
2 tablespoons dry sherry
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 lemon, juice of
salt
1 lb lump crabmeat
paprika
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
2. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in heavy small saucepan over medium heat.
3. Add onion and stir until very lightly browned, about 5 to 8 minutes.
4. Blend in flour, ground red pepper, white pepper and mace and stir 1 to 2 minutes.
5. Add milk,half and half, and sherry and cook until thick and smooth, about 3 to 4 minutes.
6. Remove from heat;stir in mayonnaise, lemon juice and salt; set aside.
7. Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in heavy large skillet over medium heat.
8. Add crab and cook 1 minute, being careful not to break up chunks.
9. Gently fold sauce into crab.
10. Spoon mixture into 5 or 6 cup au gratin dish.
11. * Recipe can be prepared 2 to 3 hours ahead to this point. Cover tightly with foil and refrigerate immediately.
12. Sprinkle top with paprika.
13. Bake until mixture is bubbling and lightly browned, about 12 to 15 minutes.
14. * If crab has been prepared ahead and chilled, cooking time may increase to 20-25 minutes.
15. Serve immediately.
By RecipeOfHealth.com