Cheese And Crab: The Perfect Pairing

Crab and cheese are a match made in heaven, and crab melts are a delicious, versatile meal. Crab meat is nutritious, being low in calories and high in protein, vitamins and minerals. Crab melts are a great way to use up a small can of crab or leftover cooked crab. They can be made with a variety of cheeses, from cheddar and Monterey Jack to Fontina, Gruyere, Swiss or mozzarella. For a truly decadent crab melt, try using French Muenster cheese.

Crab melts with Monterey Jack cheese

Crab melts are a delicious and easy-to-make meal, perfect for a light lunch or brunch. This recipe combines the sweet, flaky crab meat with the gooey texture and mild flavour of melted Monterey Jack cheese.

Ingredients:

• Crab meat (fresh or canned)
• Monterey Jack cheese
• Bread (French bread, ciabatta, sliced bread, baguette, or English muffins)
• Aromatics (celery, red/green pepper, green onion)
• Crème fraîche or sour cream
• Mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: paprika, tomatoes, mayonnaise, hot sauce

Method:

Firstly, put the bread in the oven on a baking sheet at around 350°F (175°C) for about five minutes, or until it starts to turn golden. Meanwhile, mix the crab meat with the aromatics, crème fraîche or sour cream, and mustard. You can also add a little mayonnaise to bind the mixture together. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Divide the crab mixture between the pieces of bread and top with slices of Monterey Jack cheese. Return the bread to the oven for another five to ten minutes, or place under the grill until the cheese is bubbling and golden.

Allow the crab melts to cool slightly before serving, as the cheese will be very hot. These can be served as open-faced sandwiches, or cut into smaller pieces as hors d'oeuvres or canapés.

Tips:

• This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve more people.
• If using English muffins, broil them lightly before topping with the crab mixture to help them hold their shape.
• For a spicier version, add a little finely diced jalapeno pepper to the crab mixture, or serve with hot sauce on the side.
• If you want to save time, you can make the crab mixture and prep the bread and cheese toppings ahead of time. Store the components in the fridge, and then assemble and broil the sandwiches just before serving.
• If you prefer a stronger flavour of cheese, you can swap out the Monterey Jack for Pepper Jack.

Crab melts with Swiss cheese

Crab melts are a delicious and easy-to-make meal that can be served as a light lunch or brunch, or even as an appetiser. They are also a great way to use up any leftover crab meat. This recipe for crab melts with Swiss cheese will serve two people as a light meal, but can easily be doubled or tripled to serve more.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup white crab meat
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped red pepper
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped celery
• 2 tablespoons crème fraîche or sour cream
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 4 slices of Swiss cheese
• A four or five-inch slice of baguette or 2 or 3 pieces of sliced bread, French bread or ciabatta, cut carefully in half lengthwise

Method:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the bread halves on a baking sheet and put them in the oven for about 5 minutes, or until they are beginning to turn a light golden colour.
• While the bread is toasting, mix the crab meat, red pepper, and celery in a bowl. Add the crème fraîche or sour cream, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir gently to combine.
• Divide the crab mixture between the pieces of bread and top with the Swiss cheese slices.
• Return the crab and cheese-topped bread to the oven and bake for 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbling, and lightly browned.
• Allow the crab melts to cool slightly before serving. The cheese will be very hot!

Tips:

• If serving as an appetiser, cut the crab melts into smaller pieces.
• For a healthier option, use wholegrain bread with chia seeds or sourdough rye bread, and reduce the amount of cheese to one slice per melt.
• If you don't have Swiss cheese, you can also use Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, mozzarella, Gruyere, or cheddar cheese.

Crab melts with cheddar cheese

Ingredients

• Crab meat
• Mayonnaise
• Celery
• Onion
• Garlic powder
• Tabasco sauce
• English muffins
• Cheddar cheese
• Salt and pepper
• Tomatoes (optional)
• Paprika (optional)

Method

First, make the crab mixture by combining the crab meat, mayonnaise, celery, onion, garlic powder, and Tabasco sauce in a bowl. You can also add in a little salt and pepper to taste.

Next, lightly toast your English muffins and spread the crab mixture on top. If desired, add a slice of tomato on top of the crab mixture. Then, top with cheddar cheese and a sprinkle of paprika.

Finally, broil the crab melts until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Allow to cool slightly before serving as the cheese will be very hot.

Tips and Variations

• You can use canned or fresh crab meat for this recipe. Just be sure to remove any shell fragments or cartilage.
• For a spicier kick, add some diced jalapeno pepper to the crab mixture.
• If you want to make these crab melts extra rich and creamy, add a tablespoon of softened cream cheese to the crab mixture.
• You can also replace the mayonnaise, celery, and onion with tartar sauce.
• If you don't have English muffins, you can use sliced white sandwich bread, brioche, or even a split croissant for an extra indulgent treat.
• Crab melts are best served fresh, but any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days.
• You can also make the components ahead of time and assemble and broil the sandwiches right before serving.

Serving Suggestions

Crab melts are a delicious and versatile dish that can be served as a light lunch or brunch, or cut into smaller pieces and served as appetizers or canapes. They pair well with a simple salad, chips, or a bowl of soup. For a heartier meal, serve them with some crispy french fries on the side.

Enjoy the satisfying combination of crab and melted cheddar cheese in these easy-to-make crab melts!

Crab melts with Fontina cheese

Ingredients:

• Crabmeat
• Mayonnaise
• Celery
• Green onion
• English muffins
• Tomato
• Fontina cheese
• Paprika

Method:

• In a small bowl, combine the crab, mayonnaise, celery and onion.
• Place the muffins on a baking sheet and broil them until toasted.
• Spread each muffin with half the crab mixture, then top with tomato and fontina cheese.
• Sprinkle with paprika and broil until the cheese is bubbly.

Tips:

• You can use drained canned crab or fresh-picked crab for this recipe, but be sure to remove any shell fragments or cartilage.
• Broiling the English muffins lightly before adding the toppings helps them hold their shape.
• Use thin tomato slices so they don’t overwhelm the crab, and blot them dry if they’re very juicy.
• Fontina cheese has a mild, nutty flavour that pairs well with crab. You can also try swapping it with mozzarella, Gruyere or Swiss cheese.
• For a spicier version, add a little finely diced jalapeno pepper to the crab mixture.

Crab melts with Muester cheese

Crab Melts with Muenster Cheese

Ingredients:

• Crab meat (fresh or canned)
• Muenster cheese, sliced
• Bread of choice (French bread, ciabatta, sourdough, English muffins, etc.)
• Aromatic vegetables (such as celery, red or green pepper, green onion)
• Mayonnaise or crème fraîche/sour cream
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: mustard, paprika, hot sauce

Method:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Prepare the crab mixture by combining crab meat with mayonnaise, celery, and pepper (and mustard, if using). Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Place your chosen bread on a baking sheet and put it in the oven for 5 minutes, or until it starts to turn golden.
• Remove the bread from the oven and spread the crab mixture on top.
• Top the crab mixture with slices of cheese.
• Return the crab melts to the oven for 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and browned.
• Allow to cool slightly before serving.

Tips:

• If you want to add some spice, include a few dashes of hot sauce to the crab mixture.
• For an extra touch of flavour, you can lightly toast the bread before adding the crab mixture and cheese, then broil until the cheese is melted.
• Crab melts can be served as a light meal, appetiser, or canapé. They pair well with a side salad, chips, or a bowl of soup.

Variations:

• For a more indulgent version, add a tablespoon of softened cream cheese to the crab mixture.
• Instead of mayonnaise, celery, and onion, you can use store-bought or homemade tartar sauce.
• Try using different types of cheese, such as cheddar, Gruyere, Swiss, or Monterey Jack.
• For a spicier option, add some finely diced jalapeno pepper to the crab mixture.
• If you want to make it ahead, prepare the components separately and store them in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, assemble and broil until the cheese melts.

Storage:

Crab melts are best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. Reheat in a low oven until heated through.

Frequently asked questions