Maryland Mini Crab Shells Recipes

MARYLAND CRAB CAKES RECIPE (LITTLE FILLER)

Steps:

• Whisk the egg, mayonnaise, parsley, dijon mustard, worcestershire sauce, Old Bay, lemon juice, and salt together in a large bowl. Place the crab meat on top, followed by the cracker crumbs. With a rubber spatula or large spoon, very gently and carefully fold together. You don't want to break up that crab meat!
• Cover tightly and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 1 day.
• Preheat oven to 450°F (232°C). Generously grease a rimmed baking sheet with butter or nonstick spray or line with a silicone baking mat.
• Using a 1/2 cup measuring cup, portion the crab cake mixture into 6 mounds on the baking sheet. (Don't flatten!) Use your hands or a spoon to compact each individual mound so there aren't any lumps sticking out or falling apart. For extra flavor, brush each with melted butter. This is optional but recommended!
• Bake for 12-14 minutes or until lightly browned around the edges and on top. Drizzle each with fresh lemon juice and serve warm.
• Cover leftover crab cakes tightly and refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

MINI CRAB CAKES ON SEASHELLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Soak bread in milk until almost all milk is absorbed. Squeeze out milk; discard. Set bread aside.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat until hot but not smoking. Add onion; cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, 4 to 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low; add two-thirds of crabmeat, the soaked bread, rum, tomato paste, lemon juice, and egg yolk; cook, stirring, 4 minutes. Add cilantro; season with salt, pepper, and hot sauce.
• Continue to cook mixture, stirring, until combined and crabmeat is broken up, about 5 minutes more. Remove from heat; add remaining crabmeat.
• Mound the crab mixture into shells; transfer to rimmed baking sheets. Stir breadcrumbs into butter in a small bowl; sprinkle mixture on tops of crab cakes.
• Bake crab cakes until heated through and brown, 15 to 18 minutes. Serve warm.

MARYLAND FRIED SOFT-SHELL CRABS

Steps:

• Wash and clean crabs by cutting off the face just behind the eyes. Lift top of shell and remove the spongy fingers. If the crab is a female (identified by striped markings), remove the back or apron. Rinse and dry.
• Season flour with salt and pepper and mix in baking powder. Dredge crabs in mixture.
• Pour oil into skillet to depth of 1 inch. Heat to 375 degrees. Cook crabs on both sides until brown, 4 to 5 minutes. Drain and serve with lemon wedges and tartar sauce, if desired.