Maryland Crab Imperial with Buttery Golden Bread Crumbs

Ingredients

• 1 pound special or lump crabmeat, picked over for shells
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 2 teaspoons fresh juice from 1 lemon, plus grated zest of half a lemon
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
• 1 small shallot, finely minced
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• Baguette toasts, saltines, or other crackers, for serving, optional

Directions

1. Heat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Add the crabmeat, mayonnaise, Dijon, lemon juice and zest, parsley, Old Bay, and shallot to a medium bowl, then gently mix until everything is distributed throughout. Add salt and pepper to taste.
2. In a small bowl, combine the bread crumbs and melted butter, tossing until the crumbs are coated all over. Sprinkle in salt and mix again.
3. Spoon the crab mixture into a 1-quart baking or gratin dish and spread it into an even layer. Scatter the buttered crumbs across the surface, place the dish on a rimmed baking sheet, and bake until the filling is hot and the topping has turned golden, about 20 minutes. Offer toasts or crackers alongside, if desired.