Virginia Crab Imperial
Experience the timeless elegance of **Virginia Crab Imperial**, a luxurious seafood dish that showcases the natural sweetness of succulent lump crab meat. This creamy, decadent recipe blends tangy mayo, rich heavy cream, and zesty lemon juice with a medley of classic seasonings like Old Bay, dry mustard, and Worcestershire sauce for a burst of coastal flavor in every bite. Topped with buttery panko breadcrumbs and baked to golden perfection, this dish delivers irresistible crunch and creamy indulgence. Perfect as an entrée or an appetizer, this crowd-pleaser can be prepared in under 40 minutes and is ideal for entertaining or elevating your weeknight dinner. Pair it with crusty bread or crackers and garnish with fresh parsley for a stunning presentation straight from the shores of Virginia.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound lump crab meat
- 0.5 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- 0.5 teaspoon paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 0.25 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley (optional garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking dish or individual ramekins with butter or nonstick spray.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, heavy cream, egg, lemon juice, dry mustard, Worcestershire sauce, Old Bay seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
Gently fold the lump crab meat into the mixture, being careful not to break up the large pieces of crab.
Spoon the crab mixture into the prepared baking dish or ramekins, spreading it out evenly.
Melt the butter in a small pan or microwave-safe dish and combine it with the panko breadcrumbs. Stir until the breadcrumbs are coated in the butter.
Sprinkle the buttered breadcrumbs on top of the crab mixture, ensuring even coverage.
Place the baking dish or ramekins in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the Crab Imperial is heated through.
Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley, if desired.
Serve hot as an entrée or with crackers and crusty bread as an appetizer. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
426 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 33.0 g | 42% | |
| Saturated Fat | 9.2 g | 46% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 140 mg | 47% | |
| Sodium | 1008 mg | 44% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 6.8 g | 2% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.5 g | 2% | |
| Total Sugars | 0.9 g | ||
| Protein | 22.7 g | 45% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.4 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 101 mg | 8% | |
| Iron | 1.8 mg | 10% | |
| Potassium | 464 mg | 10% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
