What can I say except these crab cakes are wonderful. From Legal Sea Foods Cookbook, they're everything you want in a crab cake - lots of crab, limited filler, a little spice in the form of Dijon mustard, hot pepper sauce and horseradish too. Moist, flavorful - I mean really; how could they be better? But they were.
Topped with a creamy spicy kinda' crunchy sun dried tomato remoulade sauce from The Northwest Best Places Cookbook they were stupendeous. Just make 'em OK. You won't be sorry, I promise.
So - now that I have your attention, I really need to start this day off with a good rant and the fact that I'm posting today about crab cakes is rather appropriate coming from someone that's really, really crabby. I had a miserable night and the morning hasn't been all that hot either, although Big Guy's tried his best to make it as good as he can by packing his own lunch, walking the dogs and buying breakfast on his way to work.
My constitution just can't handle super rich food in any quantity so a big piece of banana pudding resulted in raging heartburn all night. Yup, I know. I'm stupid but I really like the stuff. Not only that but I can't seem to eat salad any more either so the combination resulted in my beating a path to the ....well, let's just say it has been a really busy night.
During the brief times I actually spent sleeping, Big Guy was dreaming about climbing out of the hole and kicking up a storm. Had he connected with Max or me, it's unlikely we would have survived without a broken bone or two. Course I'm not sure he would have either.
Oh and speaking of breaking bones, to top it all off once again our illustrious neighbors decided it was a great idea to water our bedroom carpet through the patio door which I had thoughtlessly left open at 6:30 A.M. to enjoy the cool 68 degree morning breeze. I mean, imagine me thinking I could do that when they had "weeds" to water on the other side of the 6 plus foot brick wall that separates our homes. They truly have to show some dexterity to hit the screen in the first place since it's farthest away from the wall but their aim keeps improving and "requests" for them to take better care obviously fall on deaf ears. Geez, what do they think our carpet is - a chia pet? I think I might hate Mondays.
Spicy Crab Cakes (adapted from Legal Sea Foods Cookbook)
1/2 cup good quality mayonnaise
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Dash Hot pepper sauce
1/2 teaspoon bottled horseradish
1 large egg, beaten
Dash Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
1/2 cup finely crushed saltine crackers
16 ounces cleaned crab, fresh or good quality frozen or canned
1/4 cup dried Italian flavored breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Combine mayonnaise, dry and Dijon mustards, hot pepper sauce, horseradish, egg, Worcestershire sauce, and old bay seasoning together until well mixed. Fold in saltine cracker crumbs and crab until just mixed. Form into 4 patties, cover and refrigerate for minimum half an hour. Preheat oven to 350. Sprinkle both sides of each crab cake with dry breadcrumbs. In an oven proof skillet, melt butter and oil together until hot. Cook crab cakes on both sides until golden brown, then transfer to oven and bake for 5 to 7 minutes or until hot. Serve with remoulade sauce.
Sun Dried Tomato Remoulade Sauce (adapted from Northwest Best Places Cookbook)
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons Creole style or grainy mustard
2 tablespoons each minced celery, red pepper and green onion
2 tablespoons chopped oil packed sun dried tomatoes
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
Dash salt and pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
Combine all ingredients and refrigerate until needed.
Bless your heart. I send hugs your way! I also started up the voodoo on your neighbors - hehehehehe.
Gotta brag on my Camille Ana - not only was she honored today as a Top Scholar by the School Board - she was honored for achieving a 4.0 for the year!!!!!! I am so proud of her!
Posted by: Lea | 05/21/2012 at 01:13 PM
Wow - congratulations to sweet little Camille Ana. Not only she is a beauty but she's smart too. Give her big hugs from JBug and the Big Guy; kisses from Max, Finnigan & Georgie too. PS - thanks for the voodoo. I'm anxiously awaiting results. LOL
Posted by: June | 05/21/2012 at 01:21 PM
A pox on the neighbors! The crab cakes look wonderful, and the Sun Dried Tomato Remoulade Sauce is a must try for sure. Glad Lea is on our side with the whole voodoo thing and all. Go Camille Ana!
Posted by: Lorraine | 05/26/2012 at 05:27 PM
Lorraine - a pox is right. They are something else. Hope the voodoo stuff works pdq. I agree, our little Camille Ana definitely makes the future of our country look brighter and brighter. She's something else - super smart and pretty too, but then again, look at her Momma!
Posted by: June | 05/27/2012 at 07:57 AM