The Crab Cake Guy

The 1789 Restaurant’s Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes
courtesy Chef Ris Lacoste, The 1789 Restaurant

Chef Ris Lacoste of The 1789 Restaurant offer his unique take on the crab cake. One of Washington D.C’s hottest spots this traditional crab cake recipe also features a a tasty garlic-shallot-chile paste, which complements the subtle crab flavors, while acting as a thickener. Enjoy

Ingredients
5 pounds jumbo lump crabmeat
4 whole eggs
2 Tablespoons Dijon mustard
4 Tablespoons mayonnaise
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 1/2 Tablespoons Chesapeake Bay seasoning
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1-1 1/2 cups ground oyster crackers
Salt and freshly cracked black pepper

Garlic-Shallot-Chili Paste
10 garlic cloves, chopped coarsely
5 shallots, chopped coarsely
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
Olive oil for sautéing

Directions for the Garlic Shallot Chili Paste

1. For the garlic-shallot-chili paste, sauté the shallot and garlic without browning them and purée in a blender - can be made ahead and stored (covered) in the refrigerator.
2. Combine with the chili powder and add a generous amount of olive oil, stirring constantly. The mixture should have a burnt orange color and should be very paste-like.
3. Add more olive oil to make a thicker paste.

Directions for the Crab Cakes

1. For the crab cakes, carefully pick shells from crabmeat and drain in a colander to remove excess liquid.
2. Gently combine with garlic-shallot-chili paste and all remaining ingredients. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
3. Shape into loose cakes and refrigerate to set a little before sautéing. In a sauté pan, sauté the crab cakes until golden brown.

Chef Lacoste changes the preparation for the crab cakes seasonally. This spring she is serving the crab cakes with tartar sauce, cole slaw and potato crisps. In the winter, the sides include celeriac remoulade, mustard crème fraîche and melted leeks.

Additional Resources:
The 1789 Restaurant
I Love Crab Cakes! 50 Recipes for an American Classic by Tom Douglas and Shelley Lance
The Crab Cake Guy’s Recipes
The Crab Lover’s Book: Recipes & More by Mary Ethelyn Orso
Crab Cake Recipes from Wikipeida
Crab Cake Guy’s recommended reading