Crab brulee is a decadent seafood dish that combines the delectable flavors of crab with the crispy, caramelized goodness of brulee topping. It is a simple yet versatile dish that you can serve as an appetizer to impress your guests. Pair it with some crusty bread and a side salad, and you have a luxurious yet light meal.
Here is an easy crab brulee recipe that is sure to delight your taste buds.
So, let’s begin.
How to Pick the Best Crab Meat?
Of course, the star of the show is crab meat. So, first things first, let’s see how to pick the best crab meat.
We will begin with the basics: understanding crab varieties. Each type brings its own unique flavor profile and texture to the table, so knowing your blues from your kings is key.
Blue crab meat is known for its delicate sweetness and tender texture. It is perfect for dishes that require a tender touch.
Then, there’s Dungeness crab meat, offering a meaty texture with just a hint of sweetness. It is ideal for recipes that require a bit of oomph.
And yes, we can’t forget about King Crab meat. With its large, luscious legs and rich flavor, it adds a touch of luxury to any dish.
Last but not least, there’s Snow Crab meat. It has a fine texture with a subtle sweetness. Snow Crab meat is versatile and can be used in a wide variety of dishes.
For this recipe, you can choose any variety of crab meat that you like. We, however, recommend using fresh crab meat because it is unmatched in flavor and texture. If you are unable to get fresh crab meat, frozen crab meat is a solid alternative. It retains much of the flavor and texture of fresh crab, making it a reliable choice when cravings strike.
What about canned crab meat? We agree it is a convenient choice, but the quality may vary. Canned meat is best used for dishes where crab plays a supporting role rather than taking center stage. So, for this creme brulee recipe, we recommend that you don’t use canned crab meat.
Ingredients for a Luxurious Crab Brulee
Here’s the list of ingredients you will need for this delectable crab brulee recipe:
- Crab meat (150 grams, picked)
- Single cream (400 ml)
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1 large whole egg
- Finely chopped pickled ginger (1/2 tablespoon)
- 1 Garlic clove (finely chopped)
- Grated parmesan cheese (2 tablespoons)
- Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
- Salt (to taste)
Preparing the Perfect Crab Brulee
Follow these steps for the perfect crab brulee recipe:
Step 1: In a large bowl take cream and add in the eggs, pickled ginger, garlic, salt, and pepper, and mix well.
Step 2: Now add the crab meat you prefer and mix well.
Step 3: Cover up the mixture with a cling film and place it in the fridge for 30 minutes. This will allow the flavors to infuse into the meat.
Step 4: Preheat the oven to 300℉.
Step 5: Take the mixture out of the fridge and pour it into ramekins. Ensure that you get an equal amount of crab in each ramekin.
Step 6: Put your ramekins in a roasting tray. Now, fill the tray with warm water till the water reaches halfway to the ramekins.
Step 7: Place the tray in the oven for 45 to 60 minutes till it is cooked through, and you get a nice wobbly consistency.
Step 8: Take the tray out of the oven and remove the ramekins. Allow the ramekins to cool, as crab brulee is best served at room temperature.
Step 9: Sprinkle some grated parmesan on top of each ramekin when you are ready to serve. Use a kitchen torch to melt the cheese.
Crab Brulee Serving Suggestions
First up, you’ve got the classic move. You can pair your crab brulee with some lightly toasted bread or crackers. The crunchy bread or crackers are perfect for scooping up the creamy crab brulee.
What about drinks? You can’t go wrong with a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc.
But, hey, if wine isn’t your thing, don’t worry. A light-bodied beer can also be a fantastic pairing option.
Conclusion
Whether you are whipping up this creme brulee recipe for guests or just treating yourself, this dish is bound to leave a lasting impression. So go ahead, gather your ingredients, and embark on a culinary adventure that’s sure to delight and satisfy. Bon appétit!
Crab Brulee
Ingredients
- 150 grams crab meat
- 400 mL single cream
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1 large whole egg
- 1/2 tbsp pickled ginger, finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
- freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- salt, to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl take cream and add in the eggs, pickled ginger, garlic, salt, and pepper, and mix well.
- Now add the crab meat you prefer and mix well.
- Cover up the mixture with a cling film and place it in the fridge for 30 minutes. This will allow the flavors to infuse into the meat.
- Preheat the oven to 300℉.
- Take the mixture out of the fridge and pour it into ramekins. Ensure that you get an equal amount of crab in each ramekin.
- Put your ramekins in a roasting tray. Now, fill the tray with warm water till the water reaches halfway to the ramekins.
- Place the tray in the oven for 45 to 60 minutes till it is cooked through, and you get a nice wobbly consistency.
- Take the tray out of the oven and remove the ramekins. Allow the ramekins to cool, as crab brulee is best served at room temperature.
- Sprinkle some grated parmesan on top of each ramekin when you are ready to serve. Use a kitchen torch to melt the cheese.