Northwest Dungeness Crab Cakes Recipes

DUNGENESS CRAB CAKES

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, whisk the egg, mayo, lemon juice, herbs and salt. Add ¼ cup of the panko bread crumbs to the egg mixture. Once well combined, gently fold in the crab. Put the remaining panko on a plate, to dredge the crab cakes.
• Make a quick tester for seasoning. Take a spoonful of the crab mixture, and make a mini crab cake. Dip the cake lightly into the panko on both sides. Heat a drizzle of olive in a skillet (nonstick is great for this, if you have one). Once the oil is hot, add the tester cake and cook on both sides until golden, just a couple minutes in total. Test and adjust seasoning as needed, adding more salt or lemon, etc.
• Form the crab patties out of the crab mixture, roughly 1½ inches by ¾ inch. About 14 in total. Dredge in panko, and refrigerate for at least an hour to firm up (this keeps them from falling apart).
• If you have a nonstick skillet, this is a great time to use it. Either way, heat 1 or 2 tablespoons of oil in a medium skillet, enough to coat the bottom. When oil is hot, add the cakes, turning after a couple of minutes when golden brown. Wipe the skillet with a paper towel between batches, so the panko doesn't burn.
• with lemon wedges.

DUNGENESS CRAB CAKES

Steps:

• Cook the shallots: Heat one tablespoon of butter in a small skillet over medium high heat. Add the shallots and a half teaspoon of salt. Cook until the shallots are translucent, a couple minutes. Do not brown. Let the shallots cool.
• Chill: Cover the crab cakes loosely with another sheet of wax paper and chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour.

NORTHWEST DUNGENESS CRAB CAKES

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat. Sauce the onion and celery until the vegetables are very soft but not brown. While they are cooking, heat the milk to a simmer.
• Add the 6 tablespoons flour to the vegetables and cook over low heat, stirring constantly for 3-4 minutes. Slowly whisk in the hot milk. The mixture will be very thick. Continue stirring until the mixture comes to a boil.
• Remove from the heat and beat in the egg yolks one at a time. Beat in the salt, pepper, Tabasco sauce and parsley. Spread onto a large baking sheet and cool completely. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the crab meat. Refrigerate until firm.
• Form the mixture into 12 fat, hamburger-shaped cakes. Sprinkle a baking sheet with ½ cup of bread crumbs. Beat the egg with the water in a shallow bowl. Spread the flour and remaining breadcrumbs on separate plates. Coat each cake in flour, then in the egg, then in the breadcrumbs and place on the baking sheet.
• Heat 1 inch of vegetable oil in a large heavy frying pan over medium-high heat. Without overcrowding, fry the crab cakes until they are golden brown on both sides. Remove and drain on absorbent paper. Keep the cooked crab cakes warm in a 200 F oven while frying the rest. Serve immediately.