Nope, we aren't at Philips, we are at the Sobon-Bowers! You know, being that Greg is from Maryland, I always have to make some kind of crab cake, crab ball, crab something every now and again. You know even Parker likes crab legs, crab cakes, anything crab really. We are expanding his palette...next stop...Sushi...
Anyway, tonight was crab balls with a dill mayo sauce and oven fries. So let me tell you where this combination came from. Over the summer we went to Brad's house. He made us crab balls (basically a crab cake in ball form) with a fruit salsa, asparagus and potatoes. It was so tastey. So, there is the ball inspiriation. Side note: I have made crab cakes quite a bit and my biggest challenge is keeping them in patty like forms, so the balls make it much easier.
The Dill Sauce - One holiday (don't remember which) we were at my Aunt Di's house having a 6 course meal. One of the first courses was a mini crab cake with this red pepper/dill sauce. I don't know how she made it, but I tried to make my own. Now I don't make a crab cake without it.
Oven Fries - Who am I kidding, no inspiration here...just me enjoying potatoes baking in oil!
So let's begin...
Start out with the best crab that you can afford. Now, let me be clear...very clear...I enjoy the artificial crab (eventhough Greg is so EVIL about it) that you find on the salad bar or in california rolls, but please I repeat PLEASE DO NOT use the artificial crab when making a crab ANYTHING, unless a crab salad.
In a mixing bowl put some MAYO, lemon juice, lemon zest, bread crumbs (I used whole wheat or panko, as I find it makes it more crispy.), Old Bay, pepper, grate in some onion or shallot, chopped red peppers, chopped scallions and some lemon zest. Mix all ingredients together. Now gently FOLD in the crab. Pick up about a meatball sized amount of the crab mixture and squeeze into ball form. Add to a baking sheet and bake crab balls at 425 for about 25 - 35 mins. I spray the top of the balls with spray butter just to make them a bit brown.
While the crab cakes are cooking its time to get started on our oven fries. Take any type of potato and cut into steak fry size. Put on a baking sheet. Add oil (a veggie oil or smart balance oil, not EVOO, it smokes too much.) Add any seasoning you want. I add garlic, old bay, pepper, parsley, oregano. Whatever you want...Add oven fries to the oven
Now for the sauce...I highly advise you to invest in a hand grater/zester. It makes life so much easier. So in a small bowl, grate some garlic, onion, finely chopped red peppers, scallions, mayo, lemon juice and a LOT of dill. Mix, add S&P and put in fridge.
Once the ball are done, place the sauce on the plate and microwave for about 15-20 seconds. You want the sauce to be room temperature. Place the balls on top of the sauce. Serve with oven fries and your veggie of choice....
The verdict on this one...FANTASTIC. The crab balls have no filler, are fresh and not deep fried or greasy. Now I don't know how to make a "true" Maryland crab cake, but I got my Maryland boy to do nothing but look at me and say "MMMMM!"
Up Next...Going Greek!
Comments
Post a Comment