Sunday, July 11, 2010

Improve Your Hunger Pangs With Some Excellent Crab Cake Recipes

By John Payne

Crab cakes are one of the few delicate cuisine items that the U. S. Can claim as one of their own. This delicacy is very prominent among the East coast and the Northern west coast. Due to the many different crab varieties in these geographical locales, there are many different ideas about what a real crab cake is.

Crab cakes are traditionally composed of a few simple ingredients that include crab meat, mayonnaise, eggs, bread crumbs, and seasonings. But these are not necessarily the only items that you will find in crab cakes, as there are many different variations to these components. When these items are mixed together they form a glutinous mass that is moldable into patty shapes. These formations can then be fried, baked, or even grilled.

There are three major styles of crab cakes. Those who claim to be the original makers of crab cakes come from the Chesapeake Bay area of Baltimore Maryland, and these cakes are loosely termed Maryland crab cakes. The other two types are called the Boardwalk and the Restaurant crab cakes. While there may be different names, they are all closely related, with the primary component being crab. Now to the recipes:

Recipe 1: Lightly saute onion (1/4 cup) and celery (1/4 cup) in three tablespoons (tbsp.) of butter until translucent and set aside to cool. Combine 2 eggs, 1/4 mayonnaise, and 1/4 of regular, light, or fat free sour cream. To mixture add 3/4 cup of pepper jack cheese a palm full of freshly diced dill, a tbsp. Of Worcestershire sauce, and a healthy pinch of Old Bay seasoning. Fold in 1 1/2 to 2 pounds of lump Blue crab meat and form palm-sized patties. Lightly saute patties in olive oil for 5-8 minutes per side

Recipe 2: In a large bowl combine 1 egg, 1/3 cup of mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon (tsp.) of Worcestershire sauce, 1/8 cup of each freshly chopped dill and parsley, Old Bay seasoning and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well and then add 1 to 1 1/2 pounds of lump or canned crab, 1/2 cup of bread crumbs, and approximately 1/2 cup of crushed saltine crackers, and mix by hand. Refrigerate for at least 30 min. Or longer and form mixture into a patty form. Deep fry patties in hot oil for about a minute and then finish in a 350-degree oven.

Recipe 3: Prepare 2 cups of homemade bread crumbs and add 1/3 cup of crushed oyster crackers. In a separate bowl, combine 1/4 cup of mayonnaise, 1/3 cup of yellow mustard, 2 eggs, a tbsp of lemon or lime juice, and a tbsp of Worcestershire. Combine wet and dry ingredients and then fold in 2 pounds of Dungeness crab meat, 1 small diced plum tomato, 1/8 cup of each chopped parsley and cilantro, and add salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate mixture until firm and form palm sized patties. Grill over hot coals approximately 5 minutes per side.

There are many different ways that crab cakes can be made. The subtle differences can make for an excellent home dining experience.

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