Crab Cakes By Michael 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.

CRAB CAKES

Steps:

• Place the 2 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons oil, 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.
• Heat the butter and olive oil for frying over medium heat in a large saute pan. 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.

CRAB CAKES CHIARELLO WITH SHAVED FENNEL SALAD

Steps:

• In a large nonreactive mixing bowl combine the bread, mayonnaise, egg yolks, 2 tablespoons of the parsley, chive, mustard, hot red pepper sauce, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Let rest for about 15 minutes to soften the bread. With a spatula gently fold in the crabmeat so as not to break up the meat.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Using your hands form the cakes about 6 ounces each. Do not form them too tightly or they will not bake properly.
• Brush a baking tray with butter or spray with a nonstick cooking spray. Place the crab cakes, evenly spaced on the tray. Melt the butter and combine with the crab boil seasoning. Brush the tops of the cakes with half the spiced butter and bake on the top shelf of oven for about 12 minutes or until an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
• Using a mandolin slice the fennel very thin. Combine with the lemon juice, olive oil, remaining 2 tablespoons of parsley, salt, and pepper. Spread the fennel salad on a large platter and place the crab cakes on top. Serve with the second half of the spiced butter on the side for dipping.

SHRIMP AND CRAB CAKES

Steps:

• Roughly chop the raw shrimp and place in a large bowl.
• In a small bowl, whip the egg whites with a fork until frothy. Stir in the cream, salt, pepper, and cumin seeds. Combine with chopped shrimp. Mix well with the jicama, green onion, cilantro, ginger, and kaffir lime leaves.
• Press any excess moisture out of the crab meat in a colander. Combine the crab with the shrimp mixture.
• Pour the panko into a wide, shallow dish. Scoop out a heaping tablespoon of the shrimp and crab mixture and drop it into the panko. Using your hands, shape the shrimp and crab mixture into round cakes and evenly coat with the panko. Repeat with the remaining mixture and place the crab cakes on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate for 30 minutes until firm.
• Heat a deep fryer to 350 degrees F or heat 3/4-inch of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat, just until the surface of the oil begins to gently ripple. Fry the crab cakes, a few at a time, until crispy and golden, about 2 minutes per side. Remove from the hot oil with a slotted spoon or spider and place on absorbent paper to absorb any excess oil.
• Serve with Ginger-Lime Dipping Sauce on the side.
• Put sugar, water, ginger, and salt in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and reduce to a syrupy consistency (about 15 minutes). Strain through a fine sieve, discard ginger, reserve liquid, and let cool.
• In a small food processor, pulse cilantro, lime juice, chile, and green onion (about 30 seconds). Add ginger syrup and pulse until combined.
• Serve at room temperature.