Baltimore Crab Cakes
Prepare early in the day, if you have time.
Crab Cakes
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 2 cups crushed saltine crackers
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon ground dry yellow mustard
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 Ib (approx. 3 cups) jumbo crabmeat, drained well
½ cup creamy crab sauce
Creamy Crab Sauce
• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
• 1 small shallot, finely diced
• 1teaspoon white wine vinegar
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• ½ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
• 1 tablespoon country Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Directions
For the creamy crab sauce, in a small microwave-safe bowl, combine oil and shallots. Heat on high for 1 minute. Set aside to cool. When cool add the remaining ingredients and mix well. Reserve ½ cup of the sauce for the crab cakes. Refrigerate the remaining sauce until dinner time.
Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or coat it with non-stick cooking spray
For the crab cakes
Check the crab for pieces of the shell without breaking up the large clumps of the crab.
In a mixing bowl, combine egg, mayonnaise, dry mustard, Old Bay, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper; stir to combine ingredients. Add crab meat and crushed saltines. Mix gently. Fold in ½ cup of the creamy crab sauce with a spatula.
Using moistened hands, shape the crab mixture into 8 balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Refrigerate the baking sheet for several hours.
Preheat oven to 375°F.
Bake the crab cakes in the center of the oven for 15 minutes. Turn the oven broil to high and broil the crab cakes for 5 minutes.
Warm the creamy sauce in the microwave, covered, on high for about 60 seconds. Pour a large scope over the crab cakes when serving.
Braised Kale
Ingredients
12 ounces organic, triple-washed, and chopped kale
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
8 garlic cloves, sliced in half
¾ cup lower-sodium chicken broth
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
Directions
Heat the oil in a large skillet over low heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until it’s golden and aromatic (3-4 minutes). Discard the garlic.
Reheat the oil over medium heat, then add the kale and the broth. Cover and simmer until the kale is tender and the liquid is absorbed (30-45 minutes). Season with salt and pepper. Serve with crab cakes.
Braised Carrots
Ingredients
1 bunch of fresh carrots
½ cup chicken broth
½ teaspoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon butter
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Trim the ends off the carrots and cut them in half. Place in a large skillet in a single layer. Pour the broth over the carrots and sprinkle with thyme. Bring the mixture to a simmer. Cover the pan and cook the carrots until tender, about 30 minutes. Turn the carrots over halfway through cooking. Add a little more broth if the pan becomes dry.
Remove the cover and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place the butter on top of the carrots and let it melt over the carrots.