Down East Crab Cakes Savoring Cape Cod Food

DOWN EAST CRAB CAKES

Steps:

• Combine crabmeat, breadcrumbs, mustard, hot sauce, bell pepper, scallions, celery and egg in a large bowl.
• Add just enough mayonnaise to hold the ingredients together, being careful not to make it so moist that the mixture will fall apart.
• Divide into 8 patties.
• Coat with additional bread crumbs, then fry, four at a time, in hot oil until crispy and brown on all sides.
• ***Patties can be made ahead of time and frozen- they freeze very well.

THE BEST CRAB CAKES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• For the crab cakes: Gently fold together the crabmeat, breadcrumbs, mayonnaise, chives, Dijon mustard, seafood seasoning, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper and the juice and zest of one lemon in a large bowl. Refrigerate the crab mixture for 15 minutes to firm up; this allows the breadcrumbs to absorb some of the liquid, helping the crab cakes bind together.
• Meanwhile, make the tartar sauce: Combine the mayonnaise, dill pickles, capers, chives, zest and juice of 1 lemon in a medium bowl and mix until combined. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
• Scoop heaping half cups of the crab mixture and pat into 2 1/2-inch wide patties. Lightly press them together so they do not fall apart while cooking. You should have 8 patties.
• Heat 3 tablespoons unsalted butter and 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the crab cakes to the pan and cook until golden, about 2 minutes, then flip using a flat metal spatula. Continue to cook until lightly golden, about 1 1/2 minutes then transfer the pan to the oven. Cook until the crab cakes are completely heated through, about 10 minutes.
• Serve the crab cakes with the tartar sauce and lemon wedges.

IMITATION CRAB CAKES

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
• Saute green onions briefly until tender.
• Combine crabmeat, sauteed green onions, egg, mayonnaise, dry mustard, crushed crackers, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, Old Bay seasoning, lemon, salt and pepper with your hands. Work the ingredients together so they start to stick together.
• Form into 1/2 inch thick patties.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in the non-stick skillet over medium-medium high heat. * works really well on a flat griddle.
• Cook cakes until nicely browned on each side.
• Drain briefly on paper towels and serve hot.