Description
Seafood Crème Brûlée is a luxurious and creamy appetizer that combines the delicate sweetness of fresh seafood with a rich custard base, topped with a golden, caramelized Parmesan crust. Perfect for elegant dinner parties or special occasions, this savory twist on a classic dessert is sure to impress.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb lump crab meat (or lobster, shrimp, or scallops, chopped)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Gruyère cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (for topping)
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh chives or parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat the Oven
- Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C).
- Arrange 4 ramekins in a deep baking dish.
Mix the Custard Base
- In a bowl, whisk egg yolks, heavy cream, Dijon mustard, Old Bay Seasoning, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper.
Add the Seafood and Cheese
- Gently fold in the seafood (crab, lobster, shrimp, or scallops) and Gruyère cheese, mixing carefully to avoid breaking up the seafood.
Fill and Bake
- Divide the mixture evenly among the ramekins.
- Place the ramekins in the baking dish and pour hot water into the dish, reaching halfway up the ramekins.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until the custard is set but slightly jiggly in the center.
Chill and Caramelize
- Cool for 10 minutes, then chill for at least 1 hour.
- Before serving, sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top and caramelize with a blowtorch until golden brown.
Garnish and Serve
- Garnish with fresh chives or parsley for color and flavor.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Tip: Use superfine Parmesan cheese for the topping to achieve a smooth caramelized crust.
- Storage: Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days without the caramelized topping.
- Reheating: Warm in the oven at 300°F (149°C) before caramelizing.
- Variations: Try using lobster, shrimp, or a combination of seafood for a unique flavor twist.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 25-30 min
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-inspired, Seafood
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ramekin
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 220mg
Keywords: Seafood Crème Brûlée Recipe Savory seafood custard Elegant seafood appetizer Lobster Crème Brûlée Crab and cheese custard