Jumbo Lump Crabcakes

These lump crabcakes are filled with pureed vegetables and shrimp with a toasted panko crust to hold everything together. Most stores carry canned lump crab for $18 can, which makes this not only delicious but WAY cheaper than ordering at a restaurant.

Serves 4:

1 pound lump crab meat

1 cup milk

1.5 cups panko breadcrumbs

Salt and Pepper

2 celery ribs, chopped

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 garlic clove, peeled and smashed

1 tablespoon unsalted better

4 ounces shrimp, peeled, deveined, and tails removed.

1/4 cup heavy cream

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon Old bay seasoning

4 tablespoons vegetable oil

Directions:

Place crab meat and milk in bowl, making sure crab is totally submerged. Cover and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes.

Place 3/4 cup panko in a small bag and finely crush. Transfer crushed panko to a nonstick skillet and add remaining 3/4 cup panko. Toast over medium0high heat, stirring until golden brown. Transfer to a shallow dash and add 1/4 teaspoon salt.

Pulse celery, onion and garlic in food processor until finely chopped. Melt butter in a skillet and add chopped vegetables, 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper; cook, stirring frequently, until vegetables are softened and all moisture has evaporated, 4 to 6 minutes. Return vegetables to a large bowl and let cool to room temperature.

Strain crab meat through fine-mesh strainer, pressing firmly to remove milk but not breaking up lumps of crabmeat.

Pulse shrimp in the food processor until finely ground. Add cream and pulse to combine. Transfer shrimp to bowl with cooled vegetables. Add mustard, hot pepper sauce, lemon juice, old bay seasoning; Add crabmeat and fold gently. Divide mixture into eight balls and firmly press into 1/2-inch-thick patties. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Coat each cake in panko. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil and place cakes in skillet, cooking until golden brown (3-4 minutes), flip and cook until second side is golden brown. Transfer cakes to platter.