Ingredients:
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
- 1 cup (240ml) whole milk
- 4 large egg yolks
- 2 tablespoons (30g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon (5g) Old Bay seasoning (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon (1g) salt
- 8 ounces (225g) lump crab meat, drained and picked over for shells
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
- Optional: Fresh herbs (for garnish, e.g., chives)
Instructions:
- In a saucepan, combine heavy cream and whole milk. Heat over medium until just simmering.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together egg yolks, melted butter, Old Bay seasoning, and salt until smooth.
- Slowly whisk the hot cream mixture into the egg yolk mixture to temper the eggs.
- Fold in lump crab meat and lemon juice gently.
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C).
- Divide the crab mixture evenly among the ramekins.
- Place the ramekins in a baking dish and fill the baking dish with hot water until it reaches halfway up the sides of the ramekins.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are set but the center still jiggles slightly.
- Remove from the oven and let cool briefly, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until fully chilled.
- Once chilled, sprinkle a thin, even layer of granulated sugar over each custard.
- Use a kitchen torch to caramelize the sugar until it forms a golden crust. Alternatively, place under the broiler for a few minutes, watching closely.