Frederic Melton
Crab and cheese are a match made in heaven, and there are several mouth-watering recipes that bring the two together. If you're looking for a quick and easy snack, you can whip up some crab melts or a hot crab dip. For a heartier meal, you could try a crab grilled cheese sandwich or indulge in some crab mac and cheese. Whether you prefer a simple dish or something more indulgent, combining crab meat with cheddar cheese is a delicious way to enjoy the best of both worlds.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dish Type | Crab melts, crab grilled cheese, hot crab dip |
| Main Ingredients | Crab meat, cheddar cheese |
| Other Ingredients | Mayonnaise, celery, onion, paprika, tomato, English muffins, mustard, old bay, pepper, green onions, bread, olive oil, lemon juice, hot sauce |
| Bread Options | French, Ciabatta, Cuban loaf, sourdough, sandwich bread, garlic toast |
| Cheese Options | Gruyere, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, Swiss, parmesan, feta, brie |
| Seafood Options | Lobster, shrimp |
| Other Options | Jalapeno pepper |
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Crab grilled cheese sandwich
The key to a great crab grilled cheese is in the preparation. Firstly, you'll need to mix the crab meat with mayonnaise, mustard, Old Bay seasoning, pepper, and green onions. You can also add some celery and onion to the crab mix, or even a little diced jalapeño pepper for a kick. Taste the mixture and adjust the seasoning as needed. Next, mix in the grated cheese. A combination of Gruyere and mild Cheddar works well, but you could also use Swiss, mozzarella, or Monterey Jack. The cheese will act as a 'glue' to hold the sandwich together, so be sure to use enough.
Now it's time to assemble the sandwich. Take two slices of bread—sourdough works well, but any bread will do. Spread a little extra mayonnaise on the bread, then sprinkle with some extra Gruyere. This will ensure the sandwich stays together and adds a little extra flavour. Top the bread with half of the crab mixture, then add a little extra grated Cheddar. Top with another slice of bread, and spread mayonnaise on the outside of the sandwich.
To cook the sandwich, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the sandwich in the pan and cook for 5-6 minutes, until the bread is golden brown. Flip the sandwich and cook for another 3-4 minutes. Remove from the pan and sprinkle with a little more Old Bay seasoning, if desired.
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Crab melts
To make the crab mixture, mix together crab meat (canned or fresh) with mayonnaise, celery, onion, garlic powder, and a dash of hot sauce like Tabasco or Old Bay seasoning. You can also add some dijon mustard to the mix. It's the heat from the hot sauce that really perks up the flavour. You can also add some diced jalapeno pepper to the crab mixture for a spicy kick.
Spread the mixture on split English muffins and top with cheddar cheese. You can also use mozzarella, Gruyere, Swiss cheese, or Monterey Jack. Broil until hot, melted, and bubbly. You can also sprinkle some paprika or fresh parsley on top.
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Crab mac and cheese
Ingredients:
- Pasta of your choice (cavatappi, bowtie, or any other shape)
- Crab meat (freshly picked Dungeness crab or lump crab meat)
- Butter
- Flour
- Milk
- Heavy whipping cream
- Grated cheddar cheese
- Ritz crackers
- Old Bay seasoning
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions in a large pot of salted boiling water. Drain the pasta well. In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add flour to the melted butter and cook for about 2 minutes, stirring continuously. Gradually add hot milk to the mixture and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, whisking continuously, until the sauce thickens and becomes smooth. Remove the saucepan from the heat and add salt, pepper, nutmeg, and grated cheddar cheese to taste. Stir well to combine.
Next, assemble the dish in a baking dish by layering pasta, cheese sauce, and crab meat. Top the dish with the remaining grated cheddar cheese for a golden brown crust. In a separate bowl, stir together crushed Ritz crackers, melted butter, and Old Bay seasoning. Sprinkle this mixture over the mac and cheese.
Finally, bake the crab mac and cheese in the oven for 30-40 minutes, or until it is warm, bubbly, and cheesy. Serve immediately and enjoy the creamy, buttery, and indulgent dish!
Variations:
You can experiment with different types of cheese, such as Gruyere, sharp provolone, or a combination of cheeses. Additionally, you can try using different types of pasta or adding breadcrumbs to the topping for an extra crunchy texture. Some people also like to smoke the dish on a pellet smoker grill for a unique flavor. Feel free to adjust the recipe to your taste preferences and get creative!
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Crab dip
Ingredients:
- Fresh lump crab meat (about 8 ounces)
- Cream cheese
- Sour cream
- Mayonnaise
- Garlic
- Green onion
- Lemon juice
- Worcestershire sauce
- Hot sauce
- Salt
- Shredded cheddar cheese
Optional ingredients:
- Ketchup
- Paprika
- Cayenne
- Black pepper
- Old Bay seasoning
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350-450 degrees Fahrenheit. In a mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients except the crab meat and cheddar cheese. Beat or stir until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Gently fold in the crab meat, being careful to leave some big pieces intact. Transfer the mixture to a 9" pie dish or similar baking pan. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese on top.
Bake the dip in the oven for about 20 minutes, or until it is hot and bubbly. If you prefer a cold crab dip, simply stir in the cheddar cheese and serve without baking. Serve the hot crab dip with sliced rustic bread, crackers, tortilla chips, or raw vegetables. The cold dip is also excellent with these accompaniments.
For an extra special presentation, you can make a crab dip in a bread bowl. Hollow out a large round loaf of bread, leaving about an inch around the inside edges. Fill it with the crab dip and bake as directed. Serve with the removed bread pieces for dipping.
This crab dip is sure to be a hit with your family and friends, and is a great way to enjoy the delicious combination of crab meat and cheddar cheese.
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Crab cakes
Ingredients:
- Crab meat (fresh or canned)
- Cheddar cheese, grated
- Breadcrumbs
- Mayonnaise
- Mustard
- Old Bay seasoning
- Pepper
- Green onions
- Eggs
- Lemon juice
- Butter
Instructions:
Start by mixing the crab meat, mayonnaise, mustard, Old Bay seasoning, pepper, and green onions in a bowl. Taste the mixture and adjust the seasoning as needed. Then, mix in the grated cheddar cheese. In a separate bowl, beat one or two eggs and add a splash of lemon juice. Dip each side of the crab cake into the egg mixture, and then coat with breadcrumbs. Heat some butter in a pan and fry the crab cakes until golden brown. Serve with a slice of lemon and enjoy!
You can also get creative and add other ingredients to the crab cake mixture, such as diced jalapeno peppers or chopped cooked shrimp. If you want to make the crab cakes extra crispy, you can put them in the freezer for about 30 minutes before frying them.
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Frequently asked questions
You can make crab melts, a fast and easy appetizer or lunch. They can be made with fresh or canned crab meat and served as finger food.
French or Ciabatta bread is recommended as the surface the crab goes on should be a little crusty so it doesn't go soggy. You can also use toasted sliced bread, sourdough, or rye bread.
You can add mayonnaise, celery, onion, and paprika. You can also swap out the cheddar cheese for mozzarella, Gruyere, or Swiss cheese.
Crab grilled cheese sandwiches are another option. You can use sourdough bread, which absorbs butter and gets crispy, or regular sandwich bread. Mix the crab meat with mayonnaise, mustard, Old Bay, pepper, and green onions, then add in the cheese.
Crab melts go well with a side of tomato. Make sure to use thin tomato slices and blot them dry so they don't make the crab melt soggy.
