Grandpa Joe's
Crab Imperial

A Maryland original.

About this recipe

We lived in near Baltimore, Maryland for almost two years.  We quickly became addicted to Maryland Blue Crabs.  I don't remember the source of this recipe, probably a Maryland native or a local newspaper, but I can assure you it's authentically Maryland.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound jumbo lump crab meat
  • ¾ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons green bell pepper, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon shallots, minced
  • 1 tablespoon parsley, minced
  • 1½ teaspoons tarragon, minced
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • ¼ cup breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grated
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Directions

  1. Mix together the mayonnaise, bell peppers, shallots, parsley, tarragon, salt, and white pepper.  
  2. Gently fold the crab meat into the mayonnaise mixture, being careful not to break up the lumps.
  3. Put the crab meat in one or more casserole dishes and top with the breadcrumbs, cheese, and butter. 
  4. Bake for 25 minutes in an oven preheated to 375° F.
  5. To finish, place the casserole close to a broiler for about 30 seconds to give some color to the cheese topping.
  6. Serve immediately with fresh crusty bread or your favorite crackers.
Bubbly hot Crab Imperial!
Posted: March 2014; picture added: December 2015.