Best Chesapeake Bay Crab Cakes

Chesapeake Bay Crabs

The Chesapeake Bay blue crab is struggling.  News reports say that catches are reduced.  At a time when Maryland crabs are struggling we should all cut back on Chesapeake Bay crab consumption.  This recipe will satisfy your desire for crab cakes and not even use one crab!

Cooking The Best Crab Cakes

These are the best Chesapeake Bay crab cakes and they do not even have any real crab in them. Imitation crab is made from fish scraps and chemicals so we are using our own homemade imitation crab.  We call it “imitation” imitation crab. Try this low fat good-for-you crab cake recipe made with “imitation” imitation crab and you will agree that it is the best crab cake you have ever eaten.

Save The Chesapeake Bay Crab

Over-harvesting is a major factor affecting the crab population and so is loss of habitat.  The Bay has too many nutrients from pollution, fertilizers and other run-off entering the bay via the rivers that flow into it.  These extra nutrient are causing algae to grow out of control and consume too much oxygen. The bay is running out of oxygen and the crabs are suffering!

If you live “upstream” from the Chesapeake Bay you can help solve this problem. Here are a few things that will help the Chesapeake Bay and hopefully save the crabs.

• Pick a grass seed that is appropriate for your climate and soil
• Keep your lawn mower tuned up
• Use an electric lawn mower
• Fertilize with composted yard waste
• Reduce your lawn by adding native ground covers and plants. Reduce exotics.
• Cut your grass high. Taller means fewer weeds.
• Hand-pull weeds or use a corn-based weed killer

Chesapeake Bay Crab Cake Recipe

1 medium baking potato
1 lb. cod fillet
Salt and pepper
1 tsp. seafood seasoning
2 Tbs. sliced green onion top
1 Tbs. fresh parsley-minced
1 small garlic clove-pressed
1 Tbs. lemon zest
1 Tbs. red pepper-minced
1 Tbs. fresh minced oregano
2 oz egg white
1 clove garlic -minced
Whole grain cornmeal
Safflower oil

1. Peel and dice potato, microwave covered with ¼-cup water until tender, drain and mash.
2. Make your imitation-imitation crab: Cut fillets as needed so that they are all approximately the same thickness.  Season both sides with seafood seasoning, and sear until brown on both sides in a non-stick skillet. Cook until flaky, cool and flake.
3. Combine potatoes and flaked fish, and all other ingredients except the cornmeal and oil.
4. Spray pan with safflower oil, and heat on medium heat until hot.
5. Shape cakes and dust with cornmeal.  Sear on both sides until brown.
6. Finish in oven for 15 minutes, at dinner service.