Crab Cakes, My Way

Meal Plan Monday #25


Crab Cakes, My Way

Paula Smith

Ingredients
4-6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1-1/2 cup small diced red onion (1 small onion)
1-1/2 cup small diced celery (3 stalks)
1-1/2 cup small diced red bell pepper (1 small pepper)

1/4 cup minced fresh flat-leaf parsley or 2 tbsp. Dry parsley flakes
2tablespoon capers, drained
1 tsp. hot pepper sauce (recommended: Tabasco)
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 Tbsp.  crab boil seasoning (recommended: Old Bay)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 pounds lump crabmeat, drained and picked to remove shells
1-1/2 cup plain dry bread crumbs or panko bread crumbs
1 cup  mayonnaise
2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
6 large eggs, lightly beaten
For frying:

Flour for dusting
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup olive oil
Directions
Place the 4 tablespoons butter, 

 onion, celery, red and yellow bell peppers, parsley, capers, hot pepper sauce, Worcestershire sauce, crab boil seasoning, salt, and pepper in a large saute pan over medium-low heat and cook until the vegetables are soft, approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Cool to room temperature. In a large bowl, break the lump crabmeat into small pieces and toss with the bread crumbs, mayonnaise, mustard, and eggs. Add the cooked mixture and mix well. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Shape into bite-sized crab cakes. I use  3 oz. scoop and scoop onto parchment lined baking sheet, freeze, store for later use.
For frying:
Heat butter and olive oil for frying over medium heat in a large saute pan. Lightly dust crab cakes with flour.  Add the crab cakes and fry for 4 to 5 minutes on each side, until browned. Drain on paper towels; keep them warm in a 250 degree oven and serve hot.
For baking:
I thaw in fridge a few hours, dust with flour, place on buttered parchment lined baking sheet. Spray with non aerosol butter or olive oil. Bake in preheated 350 oven for 15 minutes until golden.

Can be coated with flour, deep fried until golden. Microwave for 45 seconds to make sure they are cooked through.