Louisiana Crab au Gratin

4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 tablespoon minced garlic
3 tablespoons flour
1 cup milk
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
2 teaspoons Creole seasoning
1 teaspoon hot sauce
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 pound crabmeat, claw
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1/4 cup Italian bread crumbs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In saucepot, heat butter over medium heat; add onions and cook for 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for an additional minute. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute. Slowly add milk and whip until milk starts to thicken. Lower heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Add 1/2 cup cheese, Creole seasoning, hot sauce, thyme and nutmeg. Continue to cook over low heat until cheese is melted.

Remove from heat and stir in crabmeat and green onions. Pour into an 8-inch square greased baking dish and top with the remaining cheese and bread crumbs. Bake for 30 minutes.

Makes 4 servings.