Sunday, March 24, 2013

Crab Cake Salads

The other night my daughter Katie really surprised me with a special treat for dinner - crab cakes! I watched her make them and the process is very simple -- one of those "less is more" dinners -- and the results were perfect! And these are "less" in the carb department too, so this dinner fit right in with eating healthier.

I so love crab cakes. They seem like an indulgence, but this home-made version is affordable and deeee-licious! It was if we were having dinner at a 5-star restaurant, except that we were home, the kids were wrestling and squealing in the background, and we had to do the dishes...but other than that, it was just like an elegant meal away from home! Except we had to wait on ourselves, and there was no dessert menu. But other than that, really, just like it...





CRAB CAKE SALADS
recipe from the back of the can - Chicken of the Sea Premium Crab Meat

*1 lb. premium crab meat (Katie used Chicken of the Sea, claw meat, found in a large can in the refrigerated seafood section of the market)
1 beaten egg
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon mustard, prepared (Katie used Dijon)
1 tsp. Worcestershire Sauce
1 tsp. mustard (dry)
1 tsp. seafood seasoning (she even has that in her pantry!)
1/2 tsp. lemon juice (Katie used more)
hot sauce (optional)
3/4 cup bread crumbs (Katie used only 1/4 cup - found it didn't need that much)

Combine all ingredients except crab and bread crumbs.  Add crab to mixture.  Fold bread crumbs in gently.  Form into desired size crab cakes by hand.  Pan fry.  Katie formed 5 patties (burger sized) and fried in a tablespoon or two of olive oil until nicely browned on both sides and heated through.

We had our crab cakes on top of salad greens with cucumber slices and tomato wedges. Katie made an aioli from mayonnaise and hot sauce, and I made a traditional cocktail sauce from horseradish and ketchup.  It was a wonderful dinner, and I went out and bought my own can of crab claw meat for the next time I want to feel as though I'm dining out, and I'm not (!)


My crab cake salad, with both aioli AND cocktail sauces! (can't choose just one!)


*The Chicken of the Sea Premium Crab Claw Meat is about $10/$11 at Hannaford but you get five good-sized crab cakes from that. OR you could make a bunch of little ones for an impressive appetizer.  There is also a lump-crab version in the same size 1-lb. can. That was about $18. I wanted to make the same thing Katie made, so I went for the claw meat.

AND with those left-over crab cakes, you could make a killer crab cake sandwich on nicely toasted bread with crunchy lettuce and some tartar sauce.  How delicious would that be?


15 comments:

  1. I love crab cakes and have made a similoar recipe to the one that Katie uses. I used to think that they were too difficult to make at home until I made them. I find that the at home ones are better than getting them out! Yum!

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    1. These were very good! Is this "my" Sarah E.S.? Just want to make sure I have the right Sarah if you win those 12 months of free baked goods!!! Let me know! xox

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    2. these look yummy have to try them ! Jeannie your daughter is taking right after you nice to share with your daughter. it was nice to see you today !!
      sharron eddy Cataldo

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  2. Your daughter sounds like a fantastic person ! What a loving relationship you have with her. The crab cakes look yummy....and so easy ! CKJ

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    1. Cindy, she is! I'm a lucky mama! Thank you for such a kind comment.

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  3. Katie definitely is comfortable in the kitchen! She comes up with great ideas and I'm always thinking 'Hmmmm...I should try that'. Like Mother, like daughter. I can't wait to try these...one night when we're dining out...at home!

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    1. Yes, she's a much more interesting cook than I was in my 30s! I really learned to enjoy cooking (always loved baking) AFTER my kids moved out (poor them!). I love it now, though, and really enjoy seeing Katie enjoy it too!

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  4. You know I HAD to write this recipe down!

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  5. I love me some crab cakes, and this seems simple enough! Can't wait to try

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    1. I'm glad you're going to make them, Megan. Let me know how they turn out!

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  6. I often order the crab cake appetizer with a glass of wine when we go out. I think Dan will be surprised when I try this recipe at home!

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    1. I think Dan will be very happy to have these at home! Thanks Mary!

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  7. I was looking for an appetizer to take to Easter dinner. Thank you, this may be it! Do you think they would reheat well?

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    1. Yes, these would reheat beautifully in the oven (not the microwave) and would keep a crispy crust. Let me know how you like them! (and Happy Easter Judy!)

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