Description
Homemade crab melts elevate classic comfort cuisine with luxurious seafood and melted cheese. Crisp bread, tender crab meat, and rich cheese create an irresistible coastal-inspired sandwich you cannot resist.
Ingredients
Scale
- ½ cup white crab meat
- 4 slices monterey jack cheese
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- 4–5 inch slice of baguette (or 2–3 pieces long french bread or ciabatta)
- 2 tbsps finely chopped red pepper
- 1 tbsp finely chopped celery
- 2 tbsps crème fraîche or sour cream
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) or activate broiler with rack positioned 6 inches from heat source.
- Bread Preparation: Toast ciabatta or panini bread halves on baking sheet for 3-4 minutes until golden and crisp, creating a robust foundation for the melts.
- Crab Mixture: Delicately combine crab meat with red bell pepper and celery, gently folding to preserve the seafood’s delicate texture. Blend in crème fraîche or sour cream, seasoning with kosher salt and black pepper to enhance the maritime flavors.
- Assembly: Spread the seafood mixture evenly across toasted bread, ensuring complete surface coverage. Top generously with sharp cheddar or Swiss cheese, allowing slight overlap for comprehensive melting.
- Cooking: Bake or broil for 6-8 minutes until cheese transforms into a bubbling, golden-amber topping that promises rich, melted decadence.
- Finishing: Rest the crab melts for 2-3 minutes to harmonize flavors and prevent potential burning. Slice into elegant triangular portions or serve whole, optionally garnishing with fresh parsley for a vibrant touch.
Notes
- Preserve Crab Texture: Fold ingredients gently to maintain delicate crab meat’s original integrity and prevent breaking or mushing.
- Cheese Selection Matters: Choose high-quality sharp cheddar or Swiss cheese with good melting properties for optimal flavor and creamy consistency.
- Watch Broiling Closely: Monitor cheese melting process carefully to prevent burning, ensuring golden-brown surface without scorching.
- Bread Base Crucial: Select sturdy bread like ciabatta that can support moisture from crab mixture without becoming soggy during baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking/Broiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 365
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 560 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg