Stuffed Crabs

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
• 2 tablespoons minced celery
• 2 tablespoons minced bell pepper
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon Essence, recipe follows
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme leaves
• Pinch cayenne
• 1 bay leaf

• 1 pound jumbo lump crabmeat, picked over for shells and cartilage
• 2 tablespoons minced parsley leaves
• 1/4 cup minced green onions
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Pinch ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons fine dried bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons heavy cream

• 6 pats of cold butter

• 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 2 tablespoons garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon black pepper

• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme