Contributed by Info Guru Oliver VanDerVoort

For most people, when you tell them that a seafood delicacy like crab is on the menu, mouths start watering involuntarily.

People love the taste of crab, especially when it is fresh — then it really doesn’t matter what kind of crab dish they are having. What people may not realize is just how many different recipes there are for one of their favorite seafood ingredients. When talking about a listing of the top ten great crab recipes, there are certainly some old favorites, but there are also plenty of dishes that can be created with crab to make them all that tastier.

10. Maryland Crab Cakes

I said that some of these recipes would be ones you had seen before, and honestly a list like this can’t go without having crab cakes among them. Lump crab meat, Worcestershire sauce and mustard sets off a great taste.

9. Crab Po’ Boys

A slightly different take on an old Cajun recipe. Worcestershire sauce and sweet pickles bring out the taste of the meat in a great crab po’ boy, which is basically a sub roll with a crab cake.

8. French Fried Jimmy Crabs

Backfin crab meat which is ground up and seasoned, then put back into the shell and deep fried gives this dish a truly original look, feel and taste.

7. Deviled Crab Crepes

Who doesn’t love crab? Who doesn’t love a good crepe? Don’t worry, this is not from grandma’s bridge luncheon. Put the two tastes together and you have one heck of a great crab recipe. The crepe filling combines crab meat, Worcestershire, hot pepper and Havarti cheese gives this meal some real zing.

6. Spicy Stuffed Softshell Crab

Combining backfin crab meat along with jumbo soft crab, old bay seasoning, mustard and Ritz crackers gives this a punch and will make people’s mouth water when you tell them it’s on the menu.

5. Hot Crab Dip in a Bread Bowl

Crab dip has long been one of the favorite crab recipes but this is a different spin on the old favorites. This particular recipe has (surprise) Worcestershire as well as lump crab meat, as well as chopped pimiento and the bread bowl gives it an interesting twist when the dip is gone.

4. Corn and Crab Chowder

Another old favorite that is wonderful on a cold blustery afternoon or evening. Bacon, green and red peppers, corn and backfin crab meat combine to give you a chowder that will stick to your bones and leave you well sated after meal time.

3. Crab Quiche

Quiche in general has long been a favorite breakfast and brunch dish that consists mostly of egg and cheese. With crab taking center stage as the meat in the dish you get a different take on an old favorite.

2. Crab Stuffed Mushroom Caps

This is a great appetizer that can be turned into a main meal if you can find big enough mushroom caps. Monterey Jack cheese along with backfin crab and as well as chopped green pepper, basil and parsley make this one of the best crab recipes out there.

1. Crab Rangoon

Yet another much loved crab recipe that is often ordered as a tasty side when people hit their favorite Chinese food restaurant. Wonton wrappers fried up with crab meat, garlic and cream cheese make this dish a long time favorite among several different cultures.