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Baked Seafood Imperial

Baked seafood imperial, a riff on crab imperial, is a mix of crab, shrimp, scallops, and calamari tossed with cream, Old Bay Seasoning, tarragon, and herbs. The imperial is then mounded into clams shells, breaded, and baked.

Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 559 kcal
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons (1 1/2 oz) butter
  • 3 teaspoons minced garlic 
  • 1 1/4 cups dry bread crumbs (preferably Japanese panko)
  • 2 tablespoons finely sliced chives
  • 2 tablespoons sliced parsley
  • 1/2 small onion finely diced (about 1/4 cup)
  • 1/4 cup finely diced fennel
  • 1/4 cup finely diced celery
  • 3 ounces large shrimp peeled, deveined, and cut into bite-size pieces
  • 3 ounces sea scallops cut into bite-size pieces (see Note)
  • 3 ounces squid cleaned and cut into bite-size pieces
  • 3 ounces jumbo lump crabmeat
  • 1 teaspoon chopped tarragon
  • 1/4 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 lemon cut into wedges
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup grated white cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup grated parmigiano-reggiano

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in a heavy-bottomed, ovenproof saute pan set over medium-high heat. Add 1 teaspoon of the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the bread crumbs, 1 tablespoon of the chives, and 1 tablespoon of the parsley. Stir and transfer the pan to the oven. Toast until the bread crumbs are crisp, 3 to 5 minutes, stirring once to ensure even cooking. 
  3. Remove the pan from the oven and let cool. Do not turn off the oven.
  4. Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in a wide, deep, heavy-bottomed saute pan. Add the onion, fennel, celery, and remaining 2 teaspoons garlic, and cook until softened but not browned, approximately 4 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl.
  5. In the same pan, melt the remaining tablespoon of butter. Add the shrimp, scallops, and squid, and saute for 30 seconds. Add to the bowl with the vegetables. Add the crab, tarragon, Old Bay, mustard, and remaining 1 tablespoon chives and parsley. Season with 2 teaspoons of salt and black pepper to taste. Squeeze the juice from half of the lemon wedges over the mixture, catching the seeds in your hand.
  6. Put the cream in a saucepan and cook at a simmer until reduced by half, approximately 8 minutes. Stir in the cheddar and Parmesan until melted. Remove the pan from the heat and stir the cream mixture into the shellfish mixture.
  7. Pack the seafood imperial mixture into clam or scallop shells, or individual ramekins; top with the seasoned bread crumbs; and bake until warm throughout, about 8 minutes. Serve the seafood imperial immediately, with the remaining lemon wedges alongside for squeezing.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1portion Calories 559kcal (28%) Carbohydrates 33g (11%) Protein 23g (46%) Fat 38g (58%) Saturated Fat 23g (115%) Monounsaturated Fat 10g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 207mg (69%) Sodium 1993mg (83%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 3g (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 559

% Daily Value*

Serving 1portion
Calories 559kcal 28%
Carbohydrates 33g 11%
Protein 23g 46%
Fat 38g 58%
Saturated Fat 23g 115%
Monounsaturated Fat 10g 50%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 207mg 69%
Sodium 1993mg 83%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 3g 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.