Moroccan Spiced Crab Cakes Recipes

MOROCCAN-SPICED CRAB CAKES

Steps:

• Cilantro-Orange Dressing.
• In a saucepan, boil the orange juice over moderately high heat until reduced to 2 tablespoons, about 8 minutes. Let cool, then transfer to a blender.
• Meanwhile, in a small dry skillet, toast the cumin seeds over moderate heat, shaking the pan occasionally, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Grind the cumin in a mortar or spice grinder.
• Add the cumin to the blender along with the cilantro and lemon juice and blend until smooth. With the blender on, add the canola oil in a thin, steady stream. Season with salt and cayenne.
• Crab Cakes.
• Heat the olive oil in a nonstick skillet. Add the red pepper and celery and cook over moderately high heat, stirring, until the vegetables are just softened, about 2 minutes. Add the scallions and ginger and cook until the scallions are wilted, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the cumin, turmeric and cardamom and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the cream and boil until reduced by half, about 6 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and let cool slightly.
• Add the crabmeat to the cream mixture along with 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon of the bread crumbs, 1 1/2 tablespoons each of the parsley and chives, and the lemon zest. Season with cayenne and salt and mix gently but thoroughly.
• With moistened hands, shape the crab mixture into 8 cakes, using a scant 1/3 cup for each; the cakes should be about 3 inches wide and 3/4 inch thick. Spread the remaining bread crumbs on a large plate. Coat the crab cakes with the bread crumbs and transfer to a baking sheet lined with wax paper.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the canola oil in a medium nonstick skillet. Add half of the crab cakes and cook until browned and crisp, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a platter. Repeat with the remaining canola oil and crab cakes. Arrange the crab cakes on plates, drizzle with the Cilantro-Orange Dressing and garnish with the remaining 1/2 tablespoon each of the parsley and chives.

SPICY CRAB CAKES TOPPED WITH GUACAMOLE

Steps:

• Crab cakes: Mix the crabmeat, mayonnaise, egg, bread crumbs, scallions, the lime juice, 1/4 cup cilantro, and the hot sauce together in a small bowl. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Form the mixture into 8 (3/4-inch-thick) patties and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
• Breading: Mix the bread crumbs and 1/4 cup of cilantro on a plate. Carefully turn the patties in the bread crumb mixture until coated on both sides.
• In a large nonstick skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. In batches, fry the crab cakes until golden, about 3 minutes each side.
• Guacamole: Coarsely mash the avocados in a medium bowl. Lightly mix in the onion, cilantro, and lime juice. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Transfer the crab cakes to a serving platter, top each cake with a tablespoon of guacamole, and serve.