Crab cakes are a delicious dish made from crab meat, typically mixed with various ingredients to create a flavorful and textured patty. Here’s a basic recipe for making crab cakes:
Ingredients:
- 1 pound (about 450g) of crab meat (fresh or canned)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 green onions, finely chopped
- 1-2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning (or a seafood seasoning blend)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Lemon wedges for serving
- Optional: hot sauce for added heat
- 2-3 tablespoons vegetable oil for frying
Instructions:
- Prepare the Crab Meat:
- If using fresh crab meat, ensure it’s picked through to remove any shells.
- If using canned crab meat, drain any excess liquid.
- Mixing the Ingredients:
- In a large bowl, combine the crab meat, breadcrumbs, mayonnaise, egg, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, green onions, parsley, Old Bay seasoning, salt, and pepper. Optionally, add hot sauce to taste.
- Forming the Crab Cakes:
- Gently mix the ingredients until well combined, being careful not to break up the crab meat too much.
- Divide the mixture into equal portions and shape them into patties, about 3 inches in diameter.
- Chill the Crab Cakes:
- Place the formed crab cakes in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Chilling helps them hold their shape during cooking.
- Cooking:
- Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Cook the crab cakes for about 3-4 minutes per side or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
- Serve:
- Serve the crab cakes hot with lemon wedges on the side.
- Optional Sauce:
- Consider serving crab cakes with a dipping sauce like tartar sauce or a lemon aioli.
Enjoy your homemade crab cakes as an appetizer, main dish, or part of a seafood feast!
