Jalapeño Crab Cakes

This summer we’ve been fortunate enough to travel everywhere from Savannah to Philadelphia.  Along the way, one food has popped up over and over again- the crab cake.  From crab cakes at my cousin’s wedding to the Low Country Crab Cake I enjoyed Monday (more on that later), it’s been the summer of crab.  And we are not complaining.

Living in Maryland has taught me many things, a lot of which pertain to crab.  I’ve learned how to cook crabs, pick them, season them, and transform lump crab into delicious cakes.  The trick to a perfect crab cake? More crab, less filler.  My friend Jamie taught me that one. 

When we were heading down to the Swamp House last month my dad and I were tossing around recipe ideas and he mentioned that he had some lump crab he needed to use, and thought maybe jalapeño crab fritters would be the perfect appetizer one night.  So when Dan and I were planning our night to cook, we decided to start with these.

In true Rosemond fashion, my dad backseat drove the kitchen situation as I was making these.  “You’re not adding too little filler, are you?” was his prodding question of choice.  I told him to trust me, that I’d learned a thing or two during my time in Maryland.

I’m happy to report that they turned out perfectly.  So perfectly, in fact, that the Captain admitted that they were the perfect ratio of crab to delicious.

Jalapeño Crab Cakes

1 cup lump crab meat

1 egg, whisked

1 large jalapeño, chopped

1/2 cup crushed crackers

Dash of pepper

1 tsp salt (less if you’re using salted crackers)

Juice of two lemons

Mix together all your ingredients and form small cakes.  Heat 1/2″ oil in a deep pan and fry the cakes for 3-4 minutes each side, or until golden brown.