CAMELOT FANTASIES

Crab paste

Preparation time: 45 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes

Ingredients for six

1 large, cooked crab, about 2 1/2 lb. (1.1 kg.)
2 oz. (50g.) butter
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 egg yolks
3 tablespoons double cream
1/4 teaspoon Cayenne pepper

Remove all the meat from the crab, and chop finely. Put in a heavy saucepan with the butter and seasoning. Heat gently, stirring often, for 10 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat.

Blend the egg yolks and cream together, and stir into the crab mixture. Stand the pan in another pan containing hot but not boiling water, and cook, stirring frequently, until thick. The water in the bottom pan must not boil, or the eggs may curdle. Allow the paste to cool a little, then add generous amounts of both peppers, and salt if necessary.

Pot in small jars, and seal with clarified butter. Chill in the refrigerator.