Servings: 4 to 6 servings
Prep Time: 40 min
Cook Time: 40 min
Difficulty: Moderate
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole milk
1/2 cup dry white wine
Juice of 1 lemon
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 lb small or medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 lb claw crabmeat, picked through for shell
1 1/2 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
Melt the butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over very low heat. When the butter is completely melted, stir in the flour with a wooden spoon. Cook for about 1 minute over low heat, stirring constantly. Slowly add the milk. Using a whisk, stir briskly until you have a smooth sauce, about 2 minutes. Add the wine, lemon juice, salt, black pepper, and cayenne and whisk again. Switch to the wooden spoon and keep stirring the white sauce until it is completely smooth and thickened, about the consistency of mayonnaise. Remove from the heat.
Bring 2 cups water and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a boil in a medium saucepan and add the shrimp. When the water returns to a boil, cook the shrimp for 1 minute. Drain immediately. Roughly chop the shrimp and put in a large mixing bowl. Add the crabmeat and, with your hands, toss gently to mix.
Pour the sauce over the seafood. With a large spoon, gently combine, taking care not to break apart the crabmeat.
Spray an 8-inch square disposable aluminum foil pan with vegetable oil cooking spray (there will be a little left over for a tasty lunch for the cook) or use an 11-by-7-inch casserole dish. Pour the mixture into the pan. Place the grated cheese on top, completely covering the seafood mixture. Wrap the uncooked casserole securely with plastic wrap, the with aluminum foil. Place the pan into a plastic freezer bag and seal. Freeze. Prepare a label with these instructions: Completely thaw in refrigerator. When ready to bake, remove the foil and plastic wrap. Bake at 350 degrees F for about 25 to 30 minutes, until bubbly. If serving immediately, bake in a 350 degree F oven uncovered, for about 25 minutes, until bubbly.
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I really enjoy this, I add some bay scallops to the mix and some paula's house seasoning.I also like parmesan better than cheddar.
By Heather on February 25, 2012
I have made this dish several times and it just keeps on getting better to me and my people. Well, I have been rained out lately, thank goodness, and my buddy wanted to fry some fish he had. I had shrimp in the freezer, but had to buy some crab, ouch!!. I made the au gratin exactly like your receipe says and baked it in my big cast iron skillet, let it cool completely, peeled it out of skillet, sliced it with my pizza cutter, dipped pieces in my milk, egg, hot mustard, sour cream batter, rolled it in zatarain fish fry mix and deep fried it. We had some fried catfish also, but who cared??
By James Bradshaw on February 17, 2012
Wow, I served this with asparagus and crunchy garlic bread to my girlfriend and it was great!! I didn't do any dishes that evening.
By James Bradshaw on December 15, 2011
I love this! worth paying the price to make it! This is my 8 year old sons favorite.
By Lindsey on October 13, 2011
My boyfriend liked it, but I thought it was a little bland and mushy. I followed the ingredients, but I could never get the 'sauce' to a "mayo-like consistency", I might have somehow used too much liquid. It was a little runny after baking. I sprinkled a little garlic powder and Old Bay seasoning to give it more flavor. This is probably the least favorite of my PD recipes. I can't complain too much because my boyfriend really enjoyed it LOL!
By Shari Lyn on March 24, 2011
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This time, the drive will be held at three locations: The Lady and Sons and the Inn at Ellis Square from 9am-5pm and Uncle Bubba’s Oyster House from 12pm-5pm. Please visit redcrossblood.org and use the sponsor code “butter”, or call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment. Each presenting donor will receive a limited edition apron signed by Paula Deen; a $40 gift card to be redeemed at Lady and Sons, Uncle Bubba’s, or Paula Deen Retail Store good from 06/15 through 06/17 only; and Lady and Sons signature gooey butter cakes in the canteen.
Join Paula, Bobby and Jamie for a book signing at the Lady and Sons restaurant in Savannah from 2 to 4 pm. Only 350 tickets will be given out starting 1 hour before the book signing. No cameras permitted; a professional photographer will be on site to take your photo.
Join Paula, Bobby and Jamie for a book signing at Uncle Bubba’s Oyster House in Savannah from 10 am to 12 pm. Only 350 tickets will be given out starting 1 hour before the book signing. No cameras permitted; a professional photographer will be on site to take your photo.
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