canned crab meat

I bought some the other day but not sure what the smell or taste will be when I open it. Also, wondering what I can do with it. Thanks for any ideas.
Christine

Crab "Alfredo"
1 can 6oz or so of canned crab meat with juices
1 shallot minced
2 cloves of garlic minced
3tbsp of EVOO or canola oil
1/2 cup white wine
3 cups of cooked spaghetti squash (refrigerated)
2tbps lite butter
1 cup fat free half and half
1/4 cup parm. Cheese grated
2tbsp soy flour
2tbsp lemon juice
Salt and pepper

Heat oil in pan over medium heat. Add shallot and garlic and toss until tender making sure not to burn garlic. Add crab, lemon juice and white wine. Reduce heat to low. In another medium saucepan, add butter and melt over med low heat. Add flour to make a roux. Simmer for 1minute then whisk in half and half, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper. Continue stirring. It will thicken quickly. When it thickens, turn off the heat and stir in cheese. In the other pan, toss spaghetti squash with crab mixture. Combine both pans and toss until coated. Serve warm.

Oh I forgot to mention, if the sauce becomes too thick or it doesn't look like it'll coat everything, you can add skim milk to it to thin or spread it out. I never cook by recipe so you could probably add more salt n pepper to your taste.

Crabcakes come to mind.

I'm from Maryland so canned crab just doesn't cut it for me!  It is MUCH drier than fresh crab meat and I actually had a difficult time getting it down as a post op.  It smells like real crab but I had a hard time with the texture.  It would probably be good as a salad (like you'd make tuna salad) with some mayo and celery cut up into  it.  See if you an find "Old Bay" seasoning....it's a great compliment to the crab. 

Good luck....let us know what you come up with!

I get crab fresh, Dungeness, so I don't eat canned. However, canned will have a mild fishy smell. If a strong smell, then stay away. Also if the top of the can is "inflated" that is a bad sign too. Trust me...bad canned crab...no mistaking that smell.
I'm just on the soft foods stage. I make a 1 oz. crab ****tail. I also put crab meat in my Egg Beaters omelete with a bit of shredded cheese.
Of course...the best way to eat it is with drawn butter....YUM.