CRAB CAKES AIOLI RECIPES

Steps:

• To make the aioli, in a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, lemon zest and juice and garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside 1/4 cup of the aioli. Cover and refrigerate the remaining aioli until serving.
• Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. To make the crab cakes, pick over the crabmeat for shell shards and cartilage. In a bowl, mix together 1/4 cup of the panko, the reserved 1/4 cup aioli, the egg, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, hot pepper sauce and parsley. Add the crabmeat and mix gently until combined. Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions and shape each portion into a thick cake. Spread the remaining 1/2 cup panko in a shallow dish. Coat the cakes evenly with the panko, and transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Refrigerate for 15 minutes.
• In a large frying pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Add the cakes and cook until the undersides are golden brown, 2–3 minutes. Flip the cakes and cook until the other sides are golden brown, about 2 minutes more. Using a slotted spatula, transfer to paper towels to drain briefly.
• Serve the crab cakes at once with the lemon wedges and pass the remaining lemon aioli on the side. Serves 4.
• Variation: Instead of the aioli, serve the crab cakes with homemade mayonnaise (see recipe at left) or a simple lemon vinaigrette. Or, make a creamy green goddess dressing: Whisk together 1 cup mayonnaise; 1 Tbs. each minced fresh tarragon, chives and parsley; 1 tsp. anchovy paste; 1 tsp. Dijon mustard and the grated zest of 1 lemon.
• Adapted from Williams-Sonoma <i>Comfort Food,</i> by Rick Rodgers (Oxmoor House, 2009).

Steps:

• Make the crab cakes first so they have time to firm up in the refrigerator before you cook them. 
• Heat a 2-count of olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, until the onion gets kind of caramelized. Dump that into a bowl and fold in the crabmeat, bread crumbs, mayonnaise, egg white, lime juice, and cilantro, mixing just until well blended. Season with salt and pepper. Shape the mixture into 6 fat crab cakes. Put them on a plate, cover, and stick them in the refrigerator to chill. 
• To serve, heat a 3-count of olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the crab cakes and cook for about 4 minutes each side until nice and crisp. Serve on torn butcher paper with fresh lemon wedges and Garlic Aioli with Celery Root.
• Mince garlic and make into paste using the side of your knife. Hint: to make this go faster add a bit of salt to the garlic and continue mashing with the side of your knife. 
• Place the paste in a large bowl and add: the sour cream, mayonnaise, celery seed, lemon juice, and oil. Season well with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Fold in the shredded celery root and chives. Give it a final taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary.