Shrimp and Crab Au Gratin

An elegant and easy appetizer for entertaining fish & cheese lovers!

Shrimp and Crab au gratin

8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated

8 ounces lump crab meat, rinsed and cleaned

1 can artichoke hearts, drained, cut into quarters

1/2 pound fresh mushrooms, cleaned, trimmed and cut in half

dash of cayenne pepper

10 tablespoons butter

1 clove garlic, minced

2 tablespoons finely chopped scallions

1 pound medium shrimp, uncooked, shelled and deveined           

1/4 cup flour

1 1/4 cup milk

1/2 cup cream, at room temperature

1/3 cup dry white wine

salt and pepper to taste

3 tablespoons butter

1 cup Panko bread crumbs

1/3 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons dried minced parsley

dash of paprika

     -In large skillet, cook thawed or fresh shrimp in 2 tablespoons melted butter over medium-high heat until opaque - about 1 minute per side.  Remove shrimp from pan and add 2 tablespoons butter to melt.  Saute mushrooms for 3 -4 minutes, then remove mushrooms and set aside.  Melt 3 tablespoons more butter and saute scallions for 2 minutes.  

     -Stir in flour, salt and pepper.  Stir with whisk for 1 minute.  Add milk.  Stir and cook until thickened.  Add wine, dash of cayenne and freshly grated nutmeg.  Stir in half the cheese until melted, then repeat with the remaining cheddar.  Stir in the cream and simmer for another 5 minutes, stirring frequently.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.

    -Gently stir crab, shrimp, artichoke hearts and mushrooms into cheese sauce and pour into a 2 quart casserole dish.  Top with 1 cup bread crumbs mixed with 1/3 cup parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons minced dried parsley, and 3 tablespoons melted butter.  Garnish with paprika.

     -Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes.  Serve as a appetizer with crostini on the side.

TO PREPARE CROSTINI:

Slice 1 large baguette into 1/2 inch thick slices, at an angle to create more surface space.  Brush a cooking sheet generously with olive oil.  Place bread slices on tray and brush tops of each slice with more olive oil.

Bake in a 350 degree oven about 12 minutes, until golden and crunchy.  Let cool and serve as base for appetizers.

Pour cheese sauce into baking dish.

A crowd pleasing appetizer or first course!