Great Crab Cakes

crab cakes4

I have been making the same crab cake recipe for 10 years.
Ritz crackers, crab, mustard, eggs, mayo, onion, etc.
They are very good, but it's time for a change.

I found this EXCELLENT recipe on Wednesday Chef and I will never need another crab cake recipe again.

It is Regina Schrambling's recipe and this is what she says about crab cakes, don't you agree?

"What goes into an incredible crab cake is incredibly simple: crabmeat, eggs as a binder, some kind of onion (green, white, shallot), herbs (parsley, cilantro, chives, basil), salt and pepper. Old Bay Seasoning is the standard-issue Chesapeake Bay spice blend, but you can also add dry mustard, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, herbes de Provence or any other splash of flavor. What you ultimately want, though, is just clean crab flavor, with a bit of piquancy from the seasoning....The emphasis should be on crab, not extender. For the same reason, I never add chopped celery or peppers to crab cakes. Vegetables belong on the side."

I made this recipe with real lump crab, and also tried it with a can of fresh crab claws (big difference in price).

Both versions came out excellent, so don't be afraid to use the pasteurized refrigerated stuff in the can if you don't want to splurge on the good stuff (though there is nothing like fresh lump crab meat).

I used chives instead of scallions, and used less butter than the recipe called for (I wrote the recipe as I made it).

If you are on a diet, you might want to skip this meal all together, it's very rich, so save your calories!



Great Crab Cakes: (makes 8)

1 pound jumbo lump or Dungeness crabmeat
4 green onions, green part only, thinly sliced (I used chives from my garden instead)
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 cup panko or fine dry bread crumbs
1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning (or to taste)
1/4 cup mayonnaise
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 large egg, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
a few tbsp of olive oil

1. Pick over the crabmeat to remove any cartilage, trying not to break up the chunks. In a bowl, gently toss the crabmeat, green onions, cilantro, panko and Old Bay. Again, try not to break up the crab.

2. Gently fold in the mayonnaise. Season with salt and pepper. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Add the lightly beaten egg and fold just until the mixture is well combined.

3. Shape the mixture into eight fat ball-like cakes. (They will flatten slightly during cooking.) Place them on a platter or a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Drape a second sheet of wax paper over the top. Refrigerate for 1 hour.



4. In a large skillet, heat the butter and oil over medium-high heat. Carefully lay the crab cakes into the butter and oil and fry until crusty and browned, about 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Drain on paper towels and serve with a remoulade sauce on greens.



Quick Remoulade Sauce (not really, but it was delicious with these crabbies!):

3 tbsp Hellman's mayo
1 tbsp pickle relish
1 tbsp of prepared horseradish
chopped red bell pepper (roasted or fresh)

Mix together and keep sauce in the fridge till ready to use.
Spoon over crab cakes and devour!

Enjoy!

Comments

The JR said…
I never thought about using Ritz in crab cakes. That sounds great and I can see why it was your favorite for so long.

The new recipe sounds good too.
kat said…
I'm bookmarking this one. We never make crab cakes though we love to order them out.
Your original crabcake recipe sounds a lot like mine. I always used Ritz in my crabcakes.

I welcome new ideas for crabcakes since they are one of my husband's favorite foods. I need to stop using Ritz since we're trying to go gluten free, so I can try this recipe with gluten-free crumbs and see if he likes these better than my originals.
Ciao Chow Linda said…
Crabcakes are one of my all-time favorites. I make mine in a combination of both your old and this recipe that you posted today.
Lyss said…
I actually went ahead and made these tonight! We used jumbo lump crab and green onion. We also made a few small changes based on what we had on hand: seasoned panko instead of plain, 1 tablespoon of Old Bay instead of 1 tsp, light mayo instead of regular, and Smart Balance 50/50 spread instead of butter. Fantastic! Our new standard recipe... Thank you!
Cherine said…
Those looks really good!
StaceyEsq said…
Printed and saved for the day my diet finally ends . . . or when I have a true moment of weakness!
Dewi said…
stacey,
Your quick version of remoulade sauce is sold. I never really had horseradish before, I know ... apparently I am not that gourmande huh?