Description
Crab Brûlée is a luxurious and unique twist on the classic crème brûlée, combining the delicate sweetness of crab meat with a creamy, savory custard and a caramelized sugar crust. This dish is perfect as an elegant appetizer or a standout addition to a gourmet seafood menu. The contrast of silky texture and crisp topping makes it an unforgettable culinary experience.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup fresh lump crab meat
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon white pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon chives, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (for brûlée topping)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C).
- In a saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat until warm but not boiling. Remove from heat.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, Dijon mustard, salt, white pepper, cayenne (if using), and lemon zest until well combined.
- Slowly temper the egg mixture by adding the warm cream gradually, whisking constantly to avoid scrambling the eggs.
- Stir in the crab meat, chives, and Parmesan cheese.
- Divide the mixture evenly into 4 small ramekins. Place the ramekins in a baking dish and fill the dish with hot water until it reaches halfway up the sides of the ramekins.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the custard is set but still slightly wobbly in the center.
- Remove from the oven and let the ramekins cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours to chill.
- Before serving, sprinkle ½ tablespoon of granulated sugar over each ramekin. Use a kitchen torch to caramelize the sugar until golden and crisp.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- For a more intense flavor, use fresh jumbo lump crab meat rather than canned.
- If you don’t have a kitchen torch, you can broil the brûlée topping in the oven for 1–2 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Serve with toasted baguette slices or crackers for a delightful crunch.
- This dish pairs well with a light white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: Preparation Time: 15 minutes Cooking Time: Total Time: Serving Size: 1 ramekin Yield: Cuisine: Course:
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: French-inspired, Seafood
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ramekin
- Calories: ~220
- Fat: 16g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Protein: 12g
Keywords: Crab Brûlée