Hot Dungeness Crab Appetizer Recipes

DUNGENESS CRAB DIP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350° degrees F.
• Slice the French bread very thinly into 1/4-inch slices, cut each slice into two pieces, place on a baking sheet and brush each slice with melted butter; add the cracked pepper, pressing to adhere; place under the broiler for approximately 2-3 minutes until lightly toasted; Turn each slice over and toast the other side for 2-3 minutes until lightly toasted; Remove from oven and cool in the pan on a rack.
• In a small bowl combine the cream cheese, sour cream, garlic, crab, Parmesan, cayenne and salt; mix well; Lightly butter two 4 oz. (1/2 cup) ramekins, fill each ramekin with the crab mixture (This can be done ahead of time, covered and refrigerated until ready to bake).
• When ready to serve, bake for approximately 20 - 22 minutes until top is bubbly and starting to turn brown; Place on a plate with a pate knife and the toasted bread and serve.
• Makes approximately 1 cup.

DUNGENESS CRAB AND HEIRLOOM BEAN BRANDADE

Steps:

• Rinse beans with cold water; place in large saucepan. Add enough cold water to cover beans by 2 inches; let soak overnight. Drain. Return beans to same pan. Add enough cold water to cover beans by 3 to 4 inches.
• Add celery stalk, carrot, and onion. Bring to boil. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered until beans are tender, about 1 hour. Remove from heat. Add 1 teaspoon coarse salt; let beans cool in cooking liquid. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and chill in cooking liquid. Before using, drain beans, reserving 1/4 cup cooking liquid.
• Lightly butter 1-quart baking dish. Combine crab, cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce in medium bowl; chill.
• Melt butter in large saucepan over medium heat. Add shallots; sauté until soft, about 3 minutes. Add chopped celery, garlic, and cayenne; stir 2 minutes. Add beans and 1/4 cup cooking liquid; cook until heated through, mashing beans coarsely, about 2 minutes. Add Crescenza cheese; stir until melted. Fold in crab mixture and 2 tablespoons parsley. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to prepared baking dish. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Chill crab brandade uncovered until cold, then cover and keep chilled.
• Preheat oven to 400°F. Bake brandade uncovered until heated through and mixture begins to bubble at edges, about 30 minutes. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons parsley. Serve warm with toasted baguette slices.
• Ingredient tip:
• Crescenza cheese is a soft-ripened cow's-milk cheese traditionally made in Italy. Look for it at your local cheese store, or order it online from bellwethercheese.com or mozzco.com.
• What to drink:
• Try a crisp California Chardonnay with the appetizers. We like the Cakebread Cellars 2007 Napa Valley Chardonnay ($39). It's bright and fruity, with notes of lemon zest and pear. The Napa Valley winery, which was founded in 1973, is currently run by four members of the Cakebread family.

HOT DUNGENESS CRAB DIP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Thinly slice the onion.
• Chop the artichoke hearts.
• Combine mayonnaise, crab meat, artichoke hearts, onions and the Parmesan cheese well. Portion crab mixture (6 oz.) into small oven proof baking dishes. Place the baking dishes into the oven for 5 to 6 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 140 degrees.
• Arrange bread slice on a plate around the crab dip, garnish with minced parsley & lemon slices.