Holle is a retired English teacher. She loves to cook and share recipes with others.

I love crabmeat! One of my favorite ways to eat it is in the form of crab cakes. This is a good way to cook crabs you’ve caught and picked.

Just about every region in the United States has its own version of the crab cake, and they're all a little different. Maryland has a version, Florida has a version, Louisiana has a version, and so on. I suggest you begin with a fairly basic recipe and then tweak it to your own liking. Season them with red pepper, cayenne, black pepper, or a seasoning blend.

If you don’t have access to crab, no problem. You can purchase crab meat that’s already been picked. I don’t recommend using the flat cans from the grocery store shelf unless you have no other choice—they don't have as much taste. It is better than nothing, however, and I actually like to keep it on hand in case company drops in unexpectedly. If you can, use the kind that’s refrigerated. Most of it is ultra-pasteurized and will keep a long time in the fridge. It can also be frozen.

These crab cakes are delicious! Eat them by themselves, with cocktail sauce, or with my homemade remoulade sauce.

How to Make Holle's Can't-Fail Crab Cakes

Ingredients:

• 1 pound crab meat (refrigerated or fresh)
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• ¼ cup finely chopped onion
• ¼ cup finely chopped bell pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic salt (I use Lowry’s)
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon Cajun or Old Bay seasoning (or more, to taste)
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/3 cup finely crushed buttery crackers (like Waverly or Ritz) OR breadcrumbs
• Peanut oil
• Flour

Instructions:

1. Pick through crab meat and remove any shell and cartilage. Combine crab meat with the next four ingredients.
2. In another bowl, beat egg. Add Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and Cajun or Old Bay seasoning. Mix in crumbs and allow them to soften for 10 minutes.
3. Add the cracker mixture to the crab meat mixture and blend together well. Form into cakes and dredge in flour.
4. Fry in ¼ inch of peanut oil, over medium heat. Cook each side for 4 to 5 minutes, until brown. Handle the cakes gently!

Simple Remoulade Sauce Recipe

Ingredients:

• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons finely diced white onion
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon finely minced garlic
• 2 heaping tablespoons sweet pickle relish, with juice
• 1 teaspoon (or more) Cajun seasoning
• 1 teaspoon sugar or Splenda

Instructions:

1. Mix together all ingredients.
2. Refrigerate for two hours to allow flavors to mingle.

Simply spoon a dollop of remoulade on the top of each piping-hot crab cake and enjoy!

If you're feeling extra adventurous, you can catch your own crabs and cook them yourself.

© 2009 Holle Abee

Comments

Holle Abee (author) from Georgia on January 02, 2010:

HH, a very Happy New Year to you!

Bear, can I come over for dinner??

bearclawmedia from Mining Planet Earth on December 31, 2009:

Let the flavours mingle, That is the key! Your hubs are a bit like that, they kinda simmer along while the flavour minglers are mingling. Thanks babe, I know what I am having for dinner tonight. Lucky for me, I caught some blue swimmer crabs yesterday. I will serve some fresh, some mornay and some cakes thanks to your recipe. You must have known. Bearclaw

Hello, hello, from London, UK on December 31, 2009:

Thanks for the recipe and all the best for the New Year.

Holle Abee (author) from Georgia on December 30, 2009:

Wow, Tattoo! That's a GREAT comment! Many thanks!

Hi, Dohn - sorry, didn't see you at first, I was so bowled over by Tattoo's comment! Thanks for reading!

Happy New Year to you, too, Kaie!!

Kaie Arwen on December 30, 2009:

Happy New Year.......... thank you for the recipe!

TattoGuy on December 30, 2009:

Being honest I dont give a crap about crabs, I just popped in to wish you a Happy New Year cause yer lovely xox

dohn121 from Hudson Valley, New York on December 30, 2009:

Who doesn't like crab cakes? My vegetarian girlfriend, that's who! Oh well, more for me :D Thanks again, habee. You know I'm bookmarking this one too!

Holle Abee (author) from Georgia on December 30, 2009:

Wow! Now if you could just turn crab into a breakfast recipe...

breakfastpop on December 30, 2009:

Thanks for the recipe. I love crab. Yesterday I had crab cake with a buerre blanc sauce for lunch and King Crab legs for dinner!