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Asian Mini Crab Cakes

Recipe information

  • Yield

    makes about 24

Ingredients

8 ounces jumbo lump crabmeat, picked over and rinsed
1/4 cup mayonnaise, plus 3 tablespoons for garnish
2 scallions, trimmed and finely chopped
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons wasabi paste
1 teaspoon finely grated lime zest
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons plain bread crumbs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
2 large eggs
1/4 cup sesame seeds
2/3 cup vegetable oil, plus more if needed
1 English cucumber, for garnish
1/2 cup drained pickled ginger, for garnish

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Flake the crabmeat with a fork in a medium bowl; stir in 1/4 cup of the mayonnaise and the scallions, the soy sauce, 1/2 teaspoon of the wasabi, and the zest. Stir in 2 tablespoons of the bread crumbs. Cover with plastic wrap; chill 1 hour.

    Step 2

    In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, salt, and pepper; set aside. In a small bowl, beat the eggs with 1 tablespoon water; set aside. In a shallow bowl, stir together the sesame seeds and remaining 1/2 cup bread crumbs.

    Step 3

    Form 1 scant tablespoon crab mixture into a ball; dip in the seasoned flour. Flatten into a 3/4-inch-high cake about 1 1/4 inches in diameter. Repeat with the remaining crab mixture. Dip the cakes in the egg mixture, then roll in the bread crumb mixture.

    Step 4

    Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat until hot but not smoking. Add half the crab cakes; cook, turning once, until golden and crisp on both sides, about 1 1/2 minutes. Using a slotted spatula, transfer to paper-towel–lined plates to drain. Repeat with the remaining cakes, adding more oil if needed. Let cool completely.

    Step 5

    Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze (uncovered) until firm, about 1 hour. Transfer to an airtight container; freeze up to 6 weeks.

    Step 6

    To serve, preheat the oven to 425°F. Place the crab cakes on an ungreased baking sheet, and bake until heated through, 10 to 14 minutes.

    Step 7

    Meanwhile, stir together the remaining 3 tablespoons mayonnaise and 1 1/2 teaspoons wasabi. Using a vegetable peeler, make 24 2 × 3/4-inch ribbons from the cucumber. Fold each into thirds.

    Step 8

    Dot each crab cake with 1/2 teaspoon wasabi mayonnaise; top with cucumber and ginger.

The cookbook cover with a blue background and fine typeface.
Reprinted with permission from The Martha Stewart Living Cookbook: The New Classics by Martha Stewart Living Magazine, copyright © 2007. Published by Clarkson Potter, a division of The Crown Publishing Group. Buy the full book from Amazon.
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