Eating cakes made of minced meat dates back to ancient times. In more recent history, settlers were likely shown the best places to find crabs by the Native Americans, and it was undoubtedly not long after that time that the first crab cake was made. The earliest recorded crab cake recipe in print is the Baltimore Crab Cake, which showed up in 1930 in Crosby Gaige's New York World's Fair Cook Book. Since then, the recipe has been modified and altered by many chefs, leaving us with the multitude of recipes that is readily available today.
A simple recipe calls for mixing white bread, milk, egg, mayonnaise and spices together and heating the mixture in oil in a pan on top of the stove. More advanced recipes call for blending a complex list of ingredients, such as lemon juice, Dijon mustard and panko breadcrumbs, and call for first frying the crab cakes, and then browning them under the broiler.
Seasonings can be changed to meet the chef's particular tastes, although traditional Maryland recipes call for Old Bay Seasoning. An assortment of vegetables like onion, bell peppers or mushrooms can be added as desired, as can other optional ingredients such as spicy breadcrumbs and cheese. When seasoning, cooks should take care. The flavor of the meat is mild, and additional ingredients should enhance the delicate taste of the crab, not overpower it.
Crab cakes can be served on a bun with tomato, lettuce and pickles, or can be plated and finished with any number of toppings or dipping sauces. Mild or hot salsa can be placed on crab cakes, or it can be combined with yogurt, sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice and cayenne pepper to make a creamy yet spicy sauce. A light sauce made with lemon zest, lemon juice, mayonnaise, buttermilk, garlic and dill is a great complement to the crabby flavor of the cakes. Rémoulade sauce combines mayonnaise, hot sauce and mustard to create a tasty dipping sauce with a slight kick. A high-quality cocktail sauce or tartar sauce also works well as a condiment.
The cakes can be as large as a hamburger or as small as a walnut. The larger-sized cakes are generally served as main courses, while the smaller sized make great appetizers or hors d'oeuvres. Their delicate, decadent taste makes them perfect for any occasion at any time of the day.
Enjoy both classic favorites and exciting new crab cake recipe creations with our complete collection of the best taste-tested dishes. Whether you are celebrating a landmark occasion, or simply a special meal, you can create a memorable experience by creating from our delicious selection of crab cake recipes.
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