Crab Imperial (Baltimore Style) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb crabmeat (lump or backfin)
4 tablespoons butter (1/2 stick, unsalted)
2 teaspoons shallots (chopped very fine or minced)
2 tablespoons flour
3/4 cup half-and-half
1/8 teaspoon white pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground mace
2 tablespoons sherry wine
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 egg yolks (well beaten)
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon lemon juice
paprika (sprinkle on top)

Preparation

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
Melt butter in a heavy small saucepot over medium heat. Add shallot and stir until very lightly browned, about 5 to 8 minutes.
Blend in flour, white pepper and mace and stir 1 to 2 minutes.
Add half-and-half, egg yolks, dry mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and sherry and cook until thick and smooth, about 3 to 4 minutes.
Remove from heat and stir in mayonnaise, lemon juice and salt, and gently fold crabmeat into sauce, being careful not to break up chunks.
Fill either shells, oven-proof shells, ramekins, or small oven-proof bowls.
Sprinkle tops with paprika.
Place onto a cookie sheet and bake until mixture is bubbling, about 12 to 15 minutes, and serve immediately.