Got to Be NC
Recipe by: Lisa Prince

Crab Cakes from Lena Tillett

Lena said, “My father’s side of the family is from Washington D.C. and my mother’s side is from Baltimore, MD. Between the two, seafood (mainly crab) is a MAJOR part of our holiday meals. No one makes crab cakes quite like my mother so she kindly gave me her recipe.”  

Servings: 6
Cook Time: Prep time: 15 minutes (1 hour refrigeration); Total time: 25 minutes
Meal Type: Entree
NC Ingredients: Crab meat, eggs, parsley

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Ingredients

2
large eggs
2 1/2
tbsp. mayonnaise, best quality
1 1/2
tsp. Dijon mustard
1
tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1
tsp. Old Bay seasoning
1/4
tsp. salt
1/4
cup finely diced celery, from one stalk/ or scallions
2
tbsp. finely chopped fresh parsley
1
pound lump crab meat (see note)
1/2
cup panko
Vegetable or Canola oil, for cooking

Directions

The key is to use fresh lump crabmeat and to go light on the filler. These have just enough filler to bind the crabmeat together and also add great flavor. The most important thing when you’re making crab cakes is to use fresh, good quality lump crab meat.  

Step 1

In a large bowl, combine the eggs, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire, Old Bay, salt, celery or scallions, and parsley, mix well.

Step 2

Add the crab meat (be sure to check the meat for any hard and sharp cartilage) and panko; fold mixture together until just combined, but be careful not to shred the crab meat.

Step 3

Shape into 6 crab cakes (about ½ cup each) and place on prepared baking sheet. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This is really important to help the crab cakes set.

Step 4

Preheat a large nonstick pan to medium heat and coat with oil. When the oil is hot, place crab cakes in the pan and cook until golden brown, about 3 to 5 minutes. Flip and cook 3 to 5 minutes more, or until golden. 

Step 5

Serve with tartar, Dijon mustard, or just plain!

 
As seen on wral.com's Local Dish Play WRAL video

Recipes found on this page are from Got to Be NC members, staff, industry partners and Stove Side Chats. Stove Side Chats is Got to Be NC’s cooking show hosted by restaurant marketing specialist Chad Blackwelder. This series invites chefs and home cooks from around the state to teach you how to cook with in-season North Carolina deliciousness.