Mrs. Gruening's Crab Bisque

Mrs. Gruening was first-lady of Alaska from 1939 to 1953.

Ingredients

• 2 king crab legs, or 1/2 pound crabmeat
• 2 hard-boiled eggs
• 1 tablespoon butter, softened
• 1 tablespoon flour
• Grated zest of 1 lemon
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 4 cups milk
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 3/4 cup dry sherry
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• Salt to taste

Directions

Crack the crab legs and remove the meat. Cut into bite-sized portions. Pick through the crab meat, discarding any bits of shell or cartilage, and set aside.

In a large, heavy saucepan, mash the hard-boiled eggs to a paste with a fork. Add the butter, flour, lemon zest and a little pepper.

In a medium saucepan, bring the milk to a boil, and pour it gently into the egg mixture, whisking constantly. Place over low heat; add the crabmeat and allow to simmer for 5 minutes. Add the cream and bring just to the boiling point, but do not boil. Add the sherry, Worcestershire and salt. Serve at once in warm bowls.

Submitted 6/13/05.
Source: The Alaska Heritage Seafood Cookbook
Submitted By: Joy Bowers
joybow@mtaonline.net
Mrs. Gruening's Crab Bisque