French-Inspired Crab Brûlée Recipe
Sophie’s French-inspired Crab Brûlée combines the elegance of French cooking with premium crab, herbes de Provence, and a hint of Cognac. With its creamy texture and rich flavors, this brûlée is a luxurious appetizer that’s perfect for entertaining or treating yourself to a taste of France at home.
Ingredients
- 8 oz fresh crab meat preferably lump or jumbo lump
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup crème fraîche
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1 tbsp fresh chives finely chopped
- 1 tsp herbes de Provence
- Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp Parmesan finely grated
- Optional: 1 tbsp Cognac or brandy for an extra French flavor
Instructions
- Prepare the Mixture: Preheat oven to 300°F. In a mixing bowl, whisk heavy cream, crème fraîche, egg yolks, and optional Cognac. Season with salt, pepper, and herbes de Provence, then gently fold in crab meat and chives.
- Divide and Bake: Pour the mixture into 4 ramekins. Arrange the ramekins in a baking dish, filling the dish with hot water until it reaches halfway up their sides. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the custard is set but slightly jiggly in the center.
- Broil the Topping: Remove from the oven, add a sprinkle of Parmesan to each ramekin, and broil for 2-3 minutes until golden.
- Serve with a French Flair: Garnish and Serve: Top with additional chives and serve warm for maximum flavor.