Crab Cake Croquettes

By MooK

Ingredients

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 3 teaspoons chili-garlic sauce
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons canola oil, plus more for shallow frying
• 1 rib celery, finely chopped (about 1/4 cup)
• 1/2 jalapeno, finely chopped, with or without seeds
• 1/2 small red onion, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
• 1/2 red bell pepper, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
• 1 pound lump crabmeat, picked through for shells, coarsely chopped
• 4 cups unseasoned breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg, beaten
• Kosher salt and cracked black pepper

Preparation

Step 1

Mix together the mayonnaise, chili-garlic sauce and lemon juice in a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate to chill.

Heat a straight-sided 10-inch heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Add the canola oil and heat until glossy. Add the celery, jalapenos, onions and bell peppers and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Transfer the vegetables to a large bowl and let cool to room temperature, 10 to 12 minutes. Wipe out the skillet and set aside.

Add the crabmeat, 1 1/2 cups of the breadcrumbs, the egg and 1/2 cup of the chili mayonnaise to the cooled vegetables. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper and stir to combine. Place the remaining 2 1/2 cups breadcrumbs in a shallow bowl and set aside. Shape the crab mixture into bite-size (about 1 1/2 tablespoons) croquettes, 25 to 30 total. Dredge each croquette in the breadcrumbs, turning to coat. Arrange the croquettes on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 8 hours.

Heat 1/4 inch canola oil in the same heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, cook the croquettes until golden brown and cooked through, turning once, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter and sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Serve with the remaining chili mayonnaise.