Andy Montoya
Crab and cheese is a combination that may make some people's mouths water, while causing skepticism in others. The idea of combining seafood and dairy is a controversial topic, with some people believing that the two should not be mixed. However, many popular dishes combine crab and cheese, such as crab mac and cheese, crab grilled cheese, and crab au gratin. When it comes to choosing the best cheese to pair with crab, it's important to consider the flavour combinations and preparation methods. Crab, with its rich and buttery taste, pairs well with heavier types of dairy, like cream sauces, and cheeses such as Gruyere, cheddar, parmesan, and goat cheese. Ultimately, the best cheese to pair with crab depends on personal preference and the specific dish being prepared.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Crab dish | Crab mac and cheese |
| Crab grilled cheese | |
| Crab au gratin | |
| Cheese type | Gruyere |
| Cheddar | |
| Parmesan | |
| Provolone | |
| Feta | |
| Goat cheese | |
| Mozzarella | |
| Cream cheese |
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What You'll Learn
Crab mac and cheese
Ingredients:
- Pasta of your choice (macaroni, bowtie, etc.)
- Crab meat (fresh, canned, or imitation)
- Cheese (cheddar, gruyere, parmesan, provolone, or a combination)
- Butter
- Flour
- Milk
- Salt and pepper
- Optional: Old Bay seasoning, Ritz crackers, breadcrumbs
Method:
Start by cooking the pasta in salted water according to the package instructions until it is al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside. In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour to the melted butter and cook, stirring frequently, for about 2-3 minutes until a roux forms. Whisk in milk slowly, continuing to whisk until the mixture thickens and becomes smooth. This should take about 5 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat and add your choice of shredded or grated cheese. A combination of cheddar, gruyere, and parmesan is a popular choice for a nutty, savoury, and rich sauce. Stir until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth.
Next, in a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta and crab meat. Pour the cheese sauce over the pasta and crab, stirring to coat evenly. Add salt and pepper to taste. Transfer the mixture to a buttered baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining grated cheese on top. For an extra indulgent touch, top with crushed Ritz crackers mixed with melted butter and Old Bay seasoning.
Bake the crab mac and cheese in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-40 minutes, depending on the size of your dish. The dish is ready when it is warm, bubbly, and cheesy. Serve immediately and enjoy the combination of creamy, cheesy pasta and sweet crab meat in every bite.
Tips:
- For a more economical option, you can use imitation crab or chop up fresh steamed crab.
- If you prefer a crunchier topping, you can lightly sauté the Ritz cracker mixture with some panko breadcrumbs, olive oil, and parmesan cheese before sprinkling it on top.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of crab and pasta to your preference. A ratio of 200g of crab meat to 450g of pasta is suggested, but you can modify this based on your taste.
- Be careful not to overbake, as this can dry out the sauce and affect the texture of the crab meat.
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Crab grilled cheese
Ingredients:
- Crab meat (fresh, steamed, or imitation)
- Mayonnaise
- Mustard
- Old Bay seasoning
- Pepper
- Green onions
- Gruyere cheese
- Cheddar cheese
- Bread (sourdough or sandwich bread)
- Butter
Instructions:
Start by mixing the crab meat with mayonnaise, mustard, Old Bay seasoning, pepper, and chopped green onions in a small bowl. In a separate bowl, mix together grated Gruyere and Cheddar cheese. Now, take your bread slices and sprinkle some extra Gruyere on top. This will act as the "glue" to hold your sandwich together.
Next, top the bread with the crab mixture, followed by a generous sprinkle of the Cheddar-Gruyere mix. Place the second slice of bread on top and gently press the sandwich together. Heat a large skillet to medium-high heat and melt some butter. Once the skillet is hot, place the sandwich in the pan and cook until the bread is golden brown. This should take a few minutes. Lift the sandwich, add more butter to the pan, and flip the sandwich to cook the other side until golden brown and the cheese is melted.
Variations and Tips:
You can experiment with different types of cheese, such as Parmesan, Feta, or Brie, which also pair well with crab. For an extra indulgent touch, try buttering both the bread and the pan, which will give your sandwich a beautiful golden colour and crisp texture. Sourdough bread is a great option for its ability to absorb butter and maintain structural integrity, but regular sandwich bread works just as well.
For a heartier meal, consider turning your crab grilled cheese into a crab melt by adding some sliced tomatoes and avocado on the side. Alternatively, you can transform this sandwich into a crab mac and cheese by mixing the crab and cheese sauce with cooked pasta and baking it in the oven. Top it off with buttery crackers for an extra crunch.
There you have it! Crab grilled cheese is a delicious and versatile dish that can be customised to your taste. Enjoy the heavenly combination of crab and cheese in a variety of ways.
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Crab and cream cheese
One popular way to enjoy crab and cream cheese is in a grilled cheese sandwich. To make this, mix crab meat with mayonnaise, mustard, Old Bay seasoning, pepper, and green onions. Then, add in some grated Gruyere and Cheddar cheese. Spread this mixture on buttered slices of sourdough bread, sprinkle on some extra cheese, and top with another slice of bread. Fry the sandwich in a skillet until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
Another option is to make a hot crab rangoon dip. This dip combines cream cheese with parmesan, mozzarella, and crab meat. Simply mix the ingredients together, bake them in the oven, and serve with carrots, celery, tortilla chips, pita crackers, or Ritz crackers.
If you're looking for a more substantial meal, try making crab mac and cheese. This dish features a mix of cheddar, gruyere, and parmesan cheeses, along with jumbo lump crab meat. It's topped with buttery Ritz crackers and baked in the oven. Serve it as a side dish or a main course with a house salad and roasted broccoli on the side.
Finally, for a simple appetizer, try a crab and cream cheese delight. Place cream cheese on a large plate, cover it with crab meat, and pour cocktail sauce on top. You can also add thinly sliced green onions or a squeeze of lemon juice for extra flavor. Serve this dish chilled with crackers on the side.
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Crab and parmesan
One popular way to enjoy crab and Parmesan is in a warm dip. This dish brings together crab meat, cream cheese, Parmesan, mayonnaise, sour cream, and garlic. Baked to perfection, this dip is a crowd-pleaser and can be served with tortilla chips, celery sticks, or other dippers of your choice. It's an easy and tasty appetizer for any occasion.
For a heartier meal, crab and Parmesan can be combined to make a decadent mac and cheese. This dish features a creamy cheese sauce made with a blend of cheddar, Gruyere, and Parmesan, mixed with lump crab meat. It's then baked and topped with buttery crackers for a crunchy contrast. Crab mac and cheese is a comforting and indulgent dish to share with family and friends.
Additionally, crab and Parmesan can be used to elevate simple dishes like grilled cheese. A Maryland-style crab grilled cheese uses sourdough bread, butter, and a mixture of crab, mayonnaise, mustard, Old Bay seasoning, pepper, and green onions. The crab and cheese combination melts together beautifully, resulting in a decadent and messy sandwich that's well worth the effort.
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Crab and feta
One way to enjoy crab and feta is in a grilled cheese sandwich. You can mix the crab with mayonnaise, mustard, Old Bay seasoning, pepper, and green onions, and then combine this with feta and a little extra mayonnaise to form a crab salad. This can then be sandwiched between two slices of buttered sourdough bread and grilled until golden brown.
Another option is to make a crab and feta melt. This involves mixing crab meat with feta cheese, mayonnaise, and a little lemon juice, and then broiling or baking it until the cheese is melted and bubbly. This can be served on a bed of lettuce or with crackers for a tasty appetizer or light meal.
You can also use feta in a crab dip. This typically involves combining crab meat with cream cheese, feta, garlic, and a variety of herbs and spices, and then baking it until warm and bubbly. This dip can be served with crackers, pita chips, or raw vegetables.
Finally, for a more substantial meal, you can make a crab and feta pasta bake. This involves mixing cooked pasta with crab meat, feta, and a variety of other cheeses (such as cheddar, gruyere, or parmesan), and then baking it in the oven until melted and bubbly. This dish is creamy, cheesy, and savoury, and can be served with a green salad and roasted vegetables on the side.
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Frequently asked questions
Crab and cheese can be a delicious combination. Some popular pairings include crab mac and cheese, crab grilled cheese, and crab au gratin.
Crab has a rich, buttery taste, so it pairs well with heavier types of dairy and cheese. Some specific types of cheese that go well with crab include Gruyere, cheddar, parmesan, provolone, and gouda.
When pairing crab with cheese, consider the preparation and flavour combinations. For example, crab meat can be mixed with mayonnaise, mustard, and cheese to make a delicious crab grilled cheese sandwich. Alternatively, crab mac and cheese can be topped with buttery crackers for an indulgent dish.
