Our favorite crab cakes are served at O’Leary’s Seafood Restaurant in Annapolis, MD, second choice are served at Zephyrs End, our house. Recipe was found in the Washington Post, a contest to determine the best crab cakes in the area, Kimberley’s recipe came in third behind two restaurant’s take out cakes. I’ve changed the recipe to suit our tastes; will include the original following my version.

16 oz crabmeat, we buy the tins at Costco
3-4 slices white bread with crust
1 egg
¼ c. mayo
dash Worcestershire sauce
½ tsp. lemon zest
1 tsp or so lemon juice
½ to 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
salt and pepper to taste
Old Bay Seasoning

Carefully sort through the crabmeat for pieces of shell, being careful not to smoosh the meat. In a food processor, process the bread into breadcrumbs. In a large bowl whisk the egg than add miracle whip, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, lemon zest and juice, salt and pepper to taste, and a good sprinkle of Old Bay.

Place about three quarters of the breadcrumbs atop the crabmeat. Carefully pour the wet mixture on top of the crabmeat. Gently incorporate the mixture. Add more breadcrumbs as necessary you want everything to hold together just right. You can use remaining breadcrumbs, if there are any as a coating.

Form the mixture into 6-8 balls, patting them slightly with your hands. If desired use the remaining bread crumbs to coat the outside of the cakes. Set the cakes on a tray and allow to rest for about an hour in the frig.

Heat a large skillet with butter. When hot carefully place the cakes in the pan, trying to keep them separated. Gently shake the pan so the cakes don’t stick to it. Quickly saute them till golden on each side. Serve immediately.

Yield: 6-8 crab cakes

Crab Cakes Kimberley Taylor

8 ounces lump blue crab
8 ounces back fin blue crabmeat
5-8 slices firm white bread, crust removed
2 eggs
dash Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp Dijon mustard
½ tsp lemon zest
salt and pepper to taste
handful of fresh parsley, minced
bunch of chives, snipped
4 tbsp clarified butter

Carefully sort through the crabmeat for pieces of shell, being careful not to smoosh the meat. In a food processor, process the bread into breadcrumbs. In a large bowl whisk the eggs and whisk in the mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, lemon zest and salt and pepper to taste. Place about ½ of the breadcrumb mixture atop the crabmeat. Carefully pour about ½ of the egg mixture atop that. Gently incorporate the mixture. If you like your crab cakes wet, add more of the egg mixture. If you like them dry, add more breadcrumbs. The goal is to get everything holding together nicely, without being too wet or dry. Save the remaining crumbs for the coating.

Now add the parsley and chives, blending lightly.

Form the mixture into 6-8 balls, patting them slightly with your hands (used about ½ to ¾ c of the crab mix for each cake). Use the remaining crumbs to liberally coat the outside of the cakes, and then set them on a tray to rest. Refrigerate for at least an hour, but overnight is great.

Heat a large skillet with butter. When hot carefully place the cakes in the pan, trying to keep them separated. Gently shake the pan so the cakes don’t stick to it. Quickly saute them till golden on each side. Serve immediately.

Yield: 6-8 crab cakes