Baltimore is known for its crab cakes. These are made from fresh local lump crab meat and use Old Bay seasoning—authentic and simple to prepare.

Maryland Crab Cakes with Avocado Vinaigrette

Category

Category name

Serves

Makes 4 crab cakes

For the Crab Cakes

Ingredients

  • 1 pound lump crab meat
  • 1 large egg
  • 2½ tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1½ teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
  • ½ cup ground Ritz crackers
  • Canola oil, for cooking

Method

  1. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy clean-up or spray with oil.
  2. Pick through the crabmeat for any shell or cartilage.
  3. In a medium bowl, combine the egg, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire, Old Bay, hot sauce, and parsley; mix well; add to the crab meat. Using a rubber spatula, very gently fold the mixture together until just combined, being careful not to shred the crab meat. Add the crackers and gently fold in.
  4. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This helps the mixture set. Shape into 4 cakes and place on the prepared baking sheet.
  5. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  6. Heat enough oil to coat a large nonstick or cast-iron pan over medium heat; when hot, fry the crab cakes in the pan until golden brown, about 2 minutes on each side. Be careful when turning, as the oil may splatter. Transfer the pan to the oven and cook for 5 to 8 minutes.

For the Avocado Vinaigrette

Ingredients

  • 1 ripe avocado
  • ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • ½ cup chopped cilantro
  • ¾ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper

Method

  1. In the bowl of a food processor, combine the avocado, lemon juice, and cilantro, process until smooth. With the motor running, drizzle in the olive oil. Taste and adjust the seasoning.

To Serve

Ingredients

  • Crab Cakes
  • Avocado Vinaigrette
  • Polenta, optional for garnish
  • Grape tomato confit, optional for garnish
  • Roasted corn, optional for garnish
  • Baby Bibb lettuce, optional for garnish
  • Microgreens, optional for garnish

Method

  1. Spoon a little avocado vinaigrette onto a plate, top with a crab cake and drizzle with a little more vinaigrette. Serve immediately.