Deviled Crab Cakes on Mixed Greens with Ginger-Citrus Vinaigrette
Description
Fresh lemon-scented crab cakes are pan-fried to golden brown and served on top of mixed greens with a tangy vinaigrette and avocado slices in this elegant appetizer dish.
Ingredients
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3 tablespoons butter
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1 cup finely chopped onion
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1/3 cup finely chopped celery
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1/4 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
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1 tablespoon dry mustard
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1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
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1/3 cup mayonnaise
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1/2 cup soft bread crumbs
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1 egg, lightly beaten
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1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
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1 tablespoon lemon zest
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1 pound cooked crabmeat
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salt and black pepper to taste
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1 cup dry bread crumbs
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3/4 cup vegetable oil
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1/4 cup lemon juice
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lemon, zested
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1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
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2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger root
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1 teaspoon white sugar, or to taste
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salt to taste
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2 cups vegetable oil for frying
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8 cups mixed salad greens
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2 avocados - peeled, pitted and sliced
Directions
1
Make crab cakes: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add celery and bell pepper; continue cooking until vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in mustard and cayenne pepper; cook for 2 minutes. Scrape vegetable mixture into a mixing bowl and refrigerate until cold.
2
Stir mayonnaise into chilled vegetable mixture along with soft bread crumbs, beaten egg, lemon zest, and parsley until combined. Gently fold in crab meat. Season with salt and pepper. Form crab mixture into 8 cakes, 1/2 inch thick.
3
Pour dry bread crumbs into a shallow bowl. Press crab cakes into bread crumbs one at a time until coated on all sides. Gently shake off excess crumbs and place crab cakes onto a plate. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour to overnight.
4
Make vinaigrette: Whisk together 3/4 cup vegetable oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, jalapeño, ginger, sugar, and salt in a small bowl until well combined. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
5
Heat 2 cups vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. While oil is heating, toss mixed salad greens with vinaigrette in a mixing bowl until evenly coated and divide onto 8 serving plates. Arrange avocado slices over salads and set aside.
6
Once oil is shimmering with heat, fry crab cakes in hot oil until golden brown on each side, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Briefly drain on a paper towel-lined plate to remove excess grease. Place a crab cake on top of each salad and serve immediately.