Crab Cakes

May 30, 2012 · by ·

I hate when I defrost a package of something and only use half of it in a dish – leaving me with extra food that I hadn’t planned on using. I can’t toss it back in the freezer. I don’t want to make more of the same thing I just made. That was the predicament I was in the other day.

I had unintentionally defrosted a whole package of the imitation crab meat – of the lump meat variety. I usually divide the pouch in to recipe-size packages when I buy it, but didn’t get a chance to this time around. I had used some of it this weekend in my mock crab rangoon.  I was left with 3/4 of a package though.

I often make fish cakes – usually salmon. Today, I decided to try making a kosher crab cake. I know it’s not going to be the same as the real thing, but I figured that I could still make something tasty. It would be a quick dinner item to go with a salad and some steamed veggies.  These “crab” cakes did not disappoint.

Kosher Crab Cakes
Ingredients:

1 package of the imitation crab meat or 1 pound lump crab meat, chopped well (I used 3/4)
2 shallots, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, chopped
3 scallions, chopped
2 large eggs
2/3 cup bread crumbs
1.5 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
lemon zest of 1/2 lemon
1/2 lemon, juiced
2 tbsp. horseradish sauce
2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1.5 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 tsp. old bay seasoning
fresh ground pepper
tsp.salt
1.5 tbsp. vegetable oil for pan frying

Mix everything in  bowl.

Form in to patties.

Let the patties sit for a few minutes to set.

Pan fry in oil on each side until lightly browned. Keep in mind that the fish is fully cooked already.

Drain on paper towels.

Serve with steamed or sauteed veggies and a salad. We like this with a horseradish remoulade sauce.

Enjoy!

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Filed Under: Dinner, easy, fish · Tagged: , , , ,

California Rolls – Sushi

July 31, 2011 · by ·

I have never understood the gefilte – fish that is. It’s a mish mash of all sorts of fish, and then it’s boiled. It’s not that appealing. There isn’t much flavor going for it. Yet it’s so popular. I like serving fish on shabbat – especially when I have company over. I want to serve something that I enjoy eating as well. Salmon is a nice treat, but it’s too much of a main course dish to serve as an appetizer. I recently decided to carry on my dad’s tradition of shabbat sushi.


One weekend last summer, I asked him for some shabbat sushi guidance. He suggested I cook the rice on Friday, right before shabbat, season it, and then keep it covered until you are ready to use it. Keeping it room temperature in the pot, keeps the rice ready to go. It worked out well. Everyone loves sushi and thinks I worked my tushy off to make it. It really is super easy.

To make the rice:
Ingredients:
2 cups sushi rice
2 cups water
2 tbsp. sugar
2 tbsp. rice vinegar
1 tbsp. salt

Rinse the rice until the water runs clear. I like to use a strainer to do this.

Put the rice in pot (only wimps use rice cookers). Cover the rice with the water. Turn the heat on high.

When the water starts to boil, turn the heat down to low and cover the pot. Cook for about 10-15 minutes. Turn off the heat. Keep the pot covered. No peeking. Let it sit for another 10 minutes.

While the rice is cooking and cooling.  Mix up the vinegar, sugar, and salt in a small saucepan. Heat it. Do not let it boil. Stir it up. Let the sugar dissolve.

Mix the vinegar mixture into the rice mixture with rice paddle. Let the rice cool down.  I like to keep my seasoned rice covered.

For the California Rolls
Ingredients:
Nori
Cooked and seasoned sushi rice
Surimi (fake crab sticks)
Seedless Cucumber – julienned
Avocado – sliced thin, lengthwise (sprinkled with lemon juice to prevent browning)
sriracha (I like my sushi spicy)
black toasted sesame seeds

Cover your sushi rolling mat with plastic wrap. 

Cut your nori sheets in half.

Lay your sheet of nori on the mat.

Take a handful of rice and spread it out on to the nori. Sprinkle it with the sesame seeds and flip over.

Place a bit of the veggies and surimi in the middle of the sheet. Squirt a bit of sriracha on it if you like it with a little heat.

Hold on to the edge of the sushi mat (the edge near you). Start rolling, keeping the filling in place with your fingers. Roll and Shape with the mat. Set aside that sushi roll and make more rolls.

Slice the rolls up with a very sharp knife.  Enjoy your sushi with wasabi and soy sauce.  Enjoy!

Filed Under: fish · Tagged: , , , , ,

Crab Spring Rolls: Well, actually Krab (Surimi)

March 23, 2011 · by ·

Some people window shop for their next pair of Jimmy Choos or their next evening dress. Don’t get me wrong…I do that too. I also window shop our next meal. When I pass by an interesting menu, I get ideas for what to cook next. So much of what is out there that is tasty, is not served at kosher restaurants. I get tired of the bland and boring options out in kosherland. So I wander the ethnic restaurants paired up with ethnic grocery stores to find kosher options for my home.

I love a good Spring/Summer roll when I’m in an Asian restaurant. I love the fresh flavors inside. It’s so easy to make. You can change up some of the veggies, if you’d like. Play with it a bit. I don’t know why it’s never on kosher restaurant menus, but it’s so good and the ingredients are readily available.


Crab Spring Roll (Using the Surimi Sticks)
Ingredients:

Spring Roll wrappers (found in your asian food section, or in a Vietnamese or Thai store)
Bean thread noodles or rice vermicelli noodles, cooked
Surimi Sticks
Avocado, sliced
Seedless Cucumner – sliced lengthwise
Red or Green leaf lettuce
Cilantro, chopped


Prepare all your filling ingredients.

Soak the spring roll wrappers in warm water. Soak one at a time. They are very easy to rip and hard to handle until you get the hang of it. Soak it for about 30 seconds, until the wrapper has a soft, leathery texture.

Lay the wrapper on a plate or cutting board. Fill the center of it with your filling, like you would do with sushi. Leave space around it to allow for folding.

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Fold the bottom edge towards the center, and then fold the top edge down. Roll the wrapper jelly roll style. Be gentle and squeeze like ingredients in like you would with sushi. Slice the roll at an angle and serve with dipping sauce of your choice. I like mine dipped in peanut sauce.

Enjoy!

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Filed Under: Gluten Free, Vegetarian · Tagged: , , , , , , , ,
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