Crab & Shrimp Cakes

Crab & Shrimp Cakes

with Red Bell Pepper and Cilantro Cream Sauces

Serve these rich little patties on two sauces as an appetizer -- or for a delicious small meal with a salad. If you’d rather not make the sauces, they are delicious served with a flavored mayonnaise or tartar sauce.

Makes 8 patties (serves 4 for an appetizer)

  • Crab Cakes
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ tsp. fresh ground black pepper
  • ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp. paprika
  • ½ tsp. dry mustard
  • ½ tsp. crushed celery seed
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • ½ tsp. Tabasco sauce
  • 1 tblsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 lb. lump crab meat
  • ¼ lb cooked shrimp, finely chopped
  • ½ cup finely chopped yellow onion
  • ¾ cup bread crumbs, plus additional for breading
  • Vegetable oil for frying
  • One recipe Red Bell Pepper Sauce (see below)
  • One recipe Cilantro sauce (see below)
  • Grilled fresh corn for garnish (optional)

In a medium mixing bowl combine eggs, mayonnaise, peppers, paprika, mustard, celery seed, salt, Tabasco and Worcestershire sauce. Mix well.

In a separate bowl combine crab meat, shrimp, onions, and bread crumbs. Toss to evenly distribute ingredients. Add to egg mixture and mix well.

Divide crab mixture into 8 portions and shape into patties. Dip patties in bread crumbs on both sides, pressing lightly to coat.

Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook patties until golden brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels.

To serve ladle the two sauces on either side of a plate. Arrange the crab cakes on top and garnish with fresh grilled corn.

Red Bell Pepper Sauce

  • 2 red bell peppers
  • ⅓ cup dry white wine
  • 3 tblsp. white vinegar
  • ¼ cup yellow onion, diced fine
  • ½ tblsp. garlic, diced fine
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ¼ cup softened butter

Combine wine, vinegar, onion, garlic, salt and pepper in a saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat and simmer until liquid is reduced by half. Add cream and cook 10 minutes longer or until thickened. Lower heat and whisk in the butter, a few pieces at a time. Add pureed peppers and mix well. Strain. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Cilantro Cream Sauce

Follow directions for Red Bell Pepper Sauce, but substitute ½ cup chopped cilantro and 1 poblano pepper for the red bell peppers. Roast, peel and seed the poblano pepper and puree with the cilantro. All other instructions are the same.