Chesapeake Bay Classic Crab Cakes Recipes

JUMBO LUMP BLUE CRAB CAKES

Steps:

• Pick over the crabmeat to remove any shells. Be gentle, as the lumps of crab are delicate and will fall apart. Set aside. Mix together the mayonnaise, seafood seasoning, scallions, basil, eggs, and salt and pepper. Pour mixture over the crabmeat and with your hands gently mix together. Sprinkle the bread crumbs over the crab mixture and continue to mix. Divide the mixture into 4 parts and mold the cakes with your hands (do not rinse off you hands between mixing and forming the cakes, as it is mixture on your hands that help the cakes stay together).
• Refrigerate the cakes for at least 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Paint the crab cakes with a minuscule amount of oil and sear in a hot oven-safe skillet or on a griddle top until lightly golden brown on both sides. The cakes have such little binder that you need to be careful when flipping them over so that they don't fall apart. Place the pan in the oven for about 5 minutes, or to heat through.
• Serve with a red Cocktail Sauce and/or a flavored aioli.
• Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

CHESAPEAKE BAY CRAB CAKES

Steps:

• Saute onion and green pepper in butter until tender.
• Remove from heat; stir in crabmeat and next 9 ingredients.
• Mix well, and shape into 8 patties.
• Coat with additional breadcrumbs.
• Pour oil to a depth of 1/4-inch into a heavy skillet.
• Fry cakes in hot oil (375 degrees) for 4-5 minutes on each side.

CHESAPEAKE BAY CLASSIC CRAB CAKES

Steps:

• Add the yolk, Old Bay, mustard, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vinegar to the bowl of a food processor or blender; process until smooth.
• Gradually pour in the oil with the machine running until the mixture emulsifies and forms a mayonnaise.
• Season with the salt and pepper (this quantity of mayonnaise will not emulsify in the bowl of the largest food processor; use a medium food processor, a mini processor, or a blender).
• Transfer the mayonnaise to a bowl and, using a rubber spatula, fold in the scallions and the crabmeat until well combined.
• Combine the bread crumbs and the parsley in a shallow container.
• Form the crab mixture into 8 patties about 3 inches wide and 3/4 inch thick and drop them into the bread crumb mixture.
• Dredge the crab cakes on both sides; if you have time, leave the crab cakes in the container of bread crumbs, cover with plastic wrap, and chill for an hour or so.
• When you are ready to fry the crab cakes, put 2 large nonstick skillets over medium heat.
• Add about 2 tablespoons butter to each pan; when the butter is melted, add 4 crab cakes to each pan, patting off excess crumbs first.
• Slowly fry the cakes until they are golden brown on both sides and hot through, turning once with a spatula, about 4 minutes per side.
• If the crab cakes are browning too quickly, reduce the heat.
• The internal temperature of a cooked crab cake should be 155° on an instant-read thermometer.
• Transfer the crab cakes to plates, 2 per person, and serve with your choice of sauce and lemon wedges.