Virginia Crab Imperial Recipes

MARYLAND STYLE CRAB IMPERIAL

Steps:

• Mix mayonnaise, egg, sugar, old bay, lemon juice and parsley together and blend well, this is your imperial sauce.
• Gently fold crabmeat into, imperial sauce, being careful not to break up crab meat.
• place portions in the baking dish of your choice, using ramekins or small casserole dishes
• Spinkle tops of crab imperial with old bay or paprika.
• Bake in 350-degree oven for 20-25 minutes (top will turn golden brown) or until a thermometer gets an internal reading of 165 degrees
• Allow to cool just a few minutes before serving, it will set and be more flavorful as it cools slightly.

EASTERN SHORE CRAB IMPERIAL

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly coat 6 large scallop shellswith nonstick cooking spray or, if you prefer, lightly coat a 6-cup au gratin pan or shallow casserole; set aside. Place the crab in a medium-size mixing bowl and set aside also.
• 2. Tear the bread into small chunks, letting them drop into a mini food processor fitted with the metal chopping blade. Using 3 to 4 brisk pulses, reduce to moderately coarse crumbs. Drizzle the melted butter over all and pulse 2 to 3 times to incorporate. The crumbs should now be moderately fine. Tip onto a piece of wax paper and reserve.
• 3. Add the parsley, salt, black pepper, and cayenne to the processor (no need to wash the bowl or blade), and pulse briskly 3 to 5 times until the parsley is coarsely chopped.
• 4. Add the mayonnaise and mustard and churn until smooth, about 5 seconds. Scoop on top of the crab and toss lightly to mix.
• 5. Mound the crab mixture in the scallop shells or spread evenly in the augratin dish, and scatter the buttered crumbs on top.
• 6. Bake uncovered on the middle oven rack until bubbling and touched with brown, 12 to 15 minutes.
• 7. Serve at once, accompanying with a tartly dressed salad of greens. Roasted asparagus spears also make a delicious accompaniment.

VIRGINIA CRAB IMPERIAL

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Beat eggs with mustard and pepper.
• Add crabmeat, pimento and 2 cups mayonnaise.
• Spoon the mixture into a 2 qt casserole and spread 1/4 cup mayonnaise over the top.
• Sprinkle with cheese.
• Bake for about 20 minutes or until brown and bubbly.