Maryland Crab Imperial With Buttery Golden Bread Crumbs Recipe from seriouseats.com

1 pound (450g) special or lump crabmeat, picked over for shells
1/2 cup (120ml) mayonnaise
2 tablespoons (30ml) Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons (10ml) fresh juice from 1 lemon, plus grated zest of half a lemon
2 tbsp minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 1/2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
1 small shallot, finely minced (about 2 tablespoons)

  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs (1 ounce; 30g)
  • 2 tablespoons (30g) unsalted butter, melted
  • Baguette toasts, saltines, or other crackers, for serving (optional)
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a medium bowl, stir together crabmeat, mayonnaise, Dijon, lemon juice and zest, parsley, Old Bay, and shallot until evenly incorporated. Season with salt and pepper.
  2. In a small bowl, stir bread crumbs with melted butter until evenly coated. Season with salt.
  3. Pack crab mixture in a 1-quart baking or gratin dish, then layer buttered bread crumbs evenly on top. Set on top of a rimmed baking sheet and bake until crab mixture is heated through and bread crumbs are golden, about 20 minutes. Serve with toasts or crackers, if desired.