She-Crab Soup

This is such an awesome soup. It is so simple to make, yet so refined and elegent. It's a great start for any dinner party, or just for lunch.

• Ready In: 35 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 2  cups milk
• 1⁄4 teaspoon mace
• 2  cups  crabmeat, flaked and cartilage removed (fresh or frozen)
• 3  tablespoons butter
• 2  cups half-and-half
• 1⁄2 cup  crushed  soda cracker
• 2  tablespoons sherry wine
• 1  pinch cayenne pepper
•  salt and pepper, to taste
•  chopped fresh parsley

Directions

1. Pour milk into top half of double boiler.
2. Add mace and cook 8 minutes over low heat.
3. Add crabmeat, butter and cream.
4. Season with salt, pepper and cayenne pepper.
5. Stir and cook 15 minutes over low heat.
6. Stir occasionally during cooking.
7. Remove from heat.
8. Add crushed crackers and let stand several minutes to thicken soup.
9. Stir in sherry just before serving.
10. Sprinkle with parsley and serve immediately.