Sunday, December 23, 2012

#SundaySupper Christmas Eve Crab Cakes

Crab cakes with dip, shrimp salad,
scungilli salad, stuffed mushrooms
Christmas Eve is the big tradition in our family. It's more important than any other holiday, even Christmas itself. We do a modernized version of the Italian feast of the seven fishes. My family - my mom, my siblings, and I - are a rare breed: full-blooded Italian-Americans. None of my first cousins can make that claim. So Christmas Eve - our tradition - is a big deal.



A little more than ten years ago, My Director and I started contributing to the feast of the seven fishes. We decided to make crab cakes. Now those crab cakes have become a centerpiece of our Christmas Eve, which we now host. Please enjoy this very special recipe, from our family to yours.

Ingredients:

For Crab Cakes:
  • 3 lbs. lump crab meat
  • 2 red bell peppers
  • 2 small-medium red onions
  • 6 celery stalks
  • 2 tbsp Worchestershire sauce
  • 2 tbsp Mustard
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 2-3 cups bread crumbs (Depending on how moist you want them.)
  • vegetable oil
For Red Pepper Dip:
  • 2 red peppers, cut in half
  • 6 oz. mayonnaise
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • Cooking spray
Tools:
  • Food Processor/Blender
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Large Skillet
  • 2 spatulas
  • Large pyrex
  • cookie sheet
  • plastic wrap
Procedure:

For Crab Cakes:
  1. Slice and combine red peppers, red onion, and celery in a food processor. Pulse them until they're fine.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, add veggie mixture and the rest of the ingredients. Salt and pepper to taste.
  3. Fold everything together until well mixed. Form patties. Don't make them too big. They should fit into the cup of your hands. (Smaller and thinner than a hamburger, bigger than a slider.)
  4. Coat large skillet with vegetable oil and heat over medium high heat until hot.
  5. Heat oven to 350.
  6. Fry crab cakes 3-4 minutes on each side, until golden brown. (Now, I push it with the moisture of the crab cakes. I've been doing these for ten years, though. So I walk a fine line. They come very close to disintegrating when I turn them over. The first couple of times you try this recipe, I'd err on the side of adding more bread crumbs.)
  7. That's why I use two spatulas.
  8. Place crab cakes in pyrex lined with paper towel (to drain the grease). When you've completed a row, put another paper towel on top of them, then pilie on another layer of crab cakes.
  9. Bake in oven 20-30 minutes, or until cooked through.
  10. Makes about 20
For Red Pepper Dip:
  1. Spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray.
  2. Place halved red peppers on cookie sheet under broiler for 10 minutes, or until skin starts to bubble.
  3. Put broiled peppers into a bowl covered with plastic wrap for 10-15 minutes. This helps the skins peel off easier.
  4. Peel skins. Place in food processor with mayo and blend well, until somewhat smooth. 
  5. Salt and pepper to taste.
For more on how our Christmas Eve tradition has evolved, and survived, over the years, check out this post.

And check these other Christmas tradition recipes from the #SundaySupper crew:

Breakfast
Appetizers & Snacks
Sides
Main Dishes

Desserts
Drinks
Merry Christmas!

21 comments:

  1. I love Crab Cakes and am looking forward to trying this simple and easy recipe. Thank you so much for being such a big part of #SundaySupper this past year. It has been such a pleasure getting to know you and your family. Merry Christmas!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Isabel. Your generosity and welcoming attitude towards me has been amazing. This dad blogger owes a lot of success to you and the other foodie blogs who have graciously accepted me into their group two Sundays a month. Merry Christmas. And here's to more #SundaySuppers in 2013!

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  2. I love crab cakes! I can't wait to try yours! Merry Chrismas!

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  3. Crab cakes and red pepper dip sound terrific. I need to try these at home asap.

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  4. Feast of the Seven Fishes, now I really miss my Nonna! Thank you for sharing your traditions with us. Merry Christmas!

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  5. I need to find a family that celebrates the Feast of the Seven Fishes and get myself invited! You crab cakes sound delectable!

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  6. I loooooove crab cakes. Been far too long!

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  7. Your crab cakes look amazing! When we got married, the hubby would barely touch seafood, but I'm thinking I could start celebrating like the Italians...I think I could find at least 4 dishes he would eat...one being your amazing crab cakes! Merry Christmas!

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  8. Crab cakes are one of my favorites!!! These sounds fantastic! Thank you for sharing ~ Bea @ galactopdx

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  9. I love crab cakes, but never mustered up the courage to make it at home. This looks like a great recipe. Will try it. Yummy feast ! Nice pic :) !!

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  10. thanks for your heritage recipe, they look so good! We too celebrate Christmas Eve, it is such an italian heritage. Happy Holidays!

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  11. We're doing the Feast of the Seven Fishes as well, and crab cakes are one of the dishes. Here's my recipe! http://www.fransfavs.com/2012/12/crab-cakes/ Mine has remoulade sauce, but I love roasted red peppers, so I'll have to try that next time (my sauce is already made). Buon Natale!

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  12. I love crab cakes. I sometimes like to make up a big batch and freeze them as easy meals for my toddler so I think I might give your version a try next time I do

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  13. Crab cakes on Christmas Eve, Christmas, or any time of the year is a real treat. I like your recipe with the red pepper dip. I've been looking for a good dip or sauce to go with crab cakes.

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  14. YUMMY! This is a great recipe! Thank you for sharing!

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  15. Christmas Eve and Eater pretty much rank even in my family, but Christmas Eve totally overshadows Christmas Day! I am sure my mom would love your crab cakes!

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  16. If a crab cake is available, I am eating it. I LOVE them! And Christmas Eve to me is more exciting than Christmas day - I think it's the anticipation that I enjoy. I hope you and your family are having a wonderful holiday season!

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  17. My husband is from Maryland and would only eat a crab cake with Old Bay. I'm from Pennsylvania and I'd love to give these a try!

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  18. OOoh, I love crab cakes! What a great idea for the holidays!

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