Mexican Crab Cakes Recipes

MEXICAN CRAB CAKES

Steps:

• In a very large stockpot, bring about 6 quarts water to a boil. Plunge the crabs headfirst into the water, and cook for 12 minutes from the time the water returns to the boil. Remove the crabs with tongs and set aside. When cool, remove the triangular belly flap on the underside and discard. Turn crab over and starting from rear of crab, pull firmly to lift off top shell, and discard. Pull off and discard the spongy fingers from the body and the tiny paddles from the front. Scoop out the orange crab butter and, if desired, reserve for another use. Cut the body into quarters and pick the crabmeat from inside, using a small fork or a metal pick, and reserve. Twist the claws and legs off of the body. Crack the claws and legs along the edges of the shells, using a heavy nutcracker or a small hammer. Pick the crabmeat from the claws and legs, and reserve.
• Try to keep the crabmeat in fairly large chunks, but make sure you get all of it.
• In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs lightly. Add the sour cream, diced poblano and yellow peppers, celery, salt, and pepper. Toss together until well mixed. Add the crab, shredding it into approximately 3/4 inch chunks, and the bread crumbs. Mix together gently but thoroughly.
• Divide the mixture into 12 cakes, shaping them into patties about 3/4 inch thick and 3 inches in diameter. Refrigerate them on a large plate, loosely covered, for 1 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. In a large heavy skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the butter and 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium high heat. Saute 6 crab cakes at a time, for about 3 minutes on each side, being very careful when you turn them so that they do not fall apart. They should be golden brown on each side. Place the cooked crab cakes on a baking sheet in the oven to keep warm while you add the remaining butter and oil to the pan and saute the other six crab cakes in the same way.

THE BEST CRAB CAKES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• For the crab cakes: Gently fold together the crabmeat, breadcrumbs, mayonnaise, chives, Dijon mustard, seafood seasoning, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper and the juice and zest of one lemon in a large bowl. Refrigerate the crab mixture for 15 minutes to firm up; this allows the breadcrumbs to absorb some of the liquid, helping the crab cakes bind together.
• Meanwhile, make the tartar sauce: Combine the mayonnaise, dill pickles, capers, chives, zest and juice of 1 lemon in a medium bowl and mix until combined. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
• Scoop heaping half cups of the crab mixture and pat into 2 1/2-inch wide patties. Lightly press them together so they do not fall apart while cooking. You should have 8 patties.
• Heat 3 tablespoons unsalted butter and 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the crab cakes to the pan and cook until golden, about 2 minutes, then flip using a flat metal spatula. Continue to cook until lightly golden, about 1 1/2 minutes then transfer the pan to the oven. Cook until the crab cakes are completely heated through, about 10 minutes.
• Serve the crab cakes with the tartar sauce and lemon wedges.

SPICY CRAB CAKES TOPPED WITH GUACAMOLE

Steps:

• Crab cakes: Mix the crabmeat, mayonnaise, egg, bread crumbs, scallions, the lime juice, 1/4 cup cilantro, and the hot sauce together in a small bowl. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Form the mixture into 8 (3/4-inch-thick) patties and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
• Breading: Mix the bread crumbs and 1/4 cup of cilantro on a plate. Carefully turn the patties in the bread crumb mixture until coated on both sides.
• In a large nonstick skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. In batches, fry the crab cakes until golden, about 3 minutes each side.
• Guacamole: Coarsely mash the avocados in a medium bowl. Lightly mix in the onion, cilantro, and lime juice. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Transfer the crab cakes to a serving platter, top each cake with a tablespoon of guacamole, and serve.

BEST EVER CRAB CAKES

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, whisk together egg, mayonnaise, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, tarragon, and scallions. Gently stir in crabmeat, being careful not to break up meat. Gradually mix in cracker crumbs, adding until desired consistency is achieved.
• Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat. Form crab mixture into 4 patties. Place patties in skillet, and cook until golden brown, about 5 to 6 minutes on each side.