Ingredients

  • 2 pounds frozen king crab legs (not thawed) or 1 pound fresh lump crab meat, picked over
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, or to taste
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 teaspoons Creole or other coarse-grained mustard
  • four 1-inch-thick slices brioche or challah
  • unsalted butter, softened, if desired
  • 4 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan
  • Accompaniment: lime wedges
  • Garnish: chopped fresh chives

Method

  • Preheat broiler.
  • If using king crab legs, split them lengthwise and cut crosswise into 4-inch lengths.
  • Arrange legs, shell sides down, on a steamer rack set over a kettle of simmering water and steam, covered, 7 to 10 minutes, or until heated through.
  • Remove rack from heat and let crab stand, covered, until just cool enough to handle.
  • Working over a bowl, with a fork extract crab meat from shells, discarding cartilage and allowing juices to accumulate in bowl.
  • Using your fingers, separate crab meat into large shreds.
  • (If using lump crab meat, put in a bowl but do not shred.)
  • Add 1 tablespoon lime juice and toss to combine.
  • In a small bowl whisk together remaining tablespoon lime juice, mayonnaise, and mustard until smooth.
  • Pour sauce over crab and toss to coat.
  • Season crab mixture with salt and pepper and chill, covered, 30 minutes.
  • Lightly toast brioche or challah and with a 3 1/4-inch round cutter cut out rounds.
  • Lightly butter toast.
  • Spoon one fourth crab mixture into a 1/2-cup measure.
  • Holding a toast round on top of mixture in measure, invert crab onto round and set on an ungreased baking sheet.
  • Repeat procedure with remaining crab mixture and rounds and sprinkle 1 tablespoon Parmesan over each sandwich.
  • Broil sandwiches about 3 inches from heat until cheese is melted and golden, 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Serve sandwiches with lime wedges and garnish with chives.