Hello, Good News! If you’re looking for a delicious seafood dish that will impress your guests, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll show you how to make oceanaire crab cakes at home, using fresh ingredients and simple techniques. Oceanaire crab cakes are a signature dish of The Oceanaire Seafood Room, a chain of upscale restaurants that specialize in fresh fish and seafood. They are known for their large size, tender texture, and rich flavor. They are also baked, not fried, which makes them healthier and easier to prepare.
Oceanaire crab cakes are made with jumbo lump crab meat, which is the most prized part of the crab. It comes from the backfin section of the blue crab, and it has large, succulent pieces that hold together well. You can find jumbo lump crab meat at most seafood markets or online[^1^]. You’ll also need some bread cubes, onion, parsley, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, Old Bay seasoning, and butter. These ingredients will help bind the crab meat together and add moisture and flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Oceanaire Crab Cakes
Step 1: Preheat the oven and prepare the baking sheet
The first step is to preheat the oven to 400°F and lightly grease a baking sheet with cooking spray or oil. You can also line the baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup. This will prevent the crab cakes from sticking to the pan and help them brown evenly.
Step 2: Make the dressing
In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, mayonnaise, mustard, 3/4 teaspoon of Old Bay seasoning, tarragon, onion, and celery. This is the dressing that will coat the bread cubes and the crab meat. It will add creaminess and tanginess to the crab cakes. You can adjust the amount of mustard and Old Bay seasoning according to your taste preferences.
Step 3: Toss the bread cubes with the dressing
In a large bowl, toss the bread cubes with half of the dressing, using a rubber spatula or your hands. The bread cubes should be slightly moistened but not soggy. You can use any kind of bread you like, such as white bread, wheat bread, or sourdough bread. Cut the bread into small cubes and remove the crusts if you prefer. You can also use store-bought bread crumbs or croutons instead of bread cubes.
Step 4: Fold in the crab meat
Add the crab meat to the bread mixture and gently fold it in with a rubber spatula or your hands. Be careful not to break up the lumps of crab meat too much. You want to keep them intact as much as possible for a better texture and appearance. The mixture should be moist enough to hold its shape when formed into a ball. If it is too dry, add more dressing until it comes together. If it is too wet, add more bread cubes until it is firm enough.
Step 5: Shape and refrigerate the crab cakes
Divide the mixture into eight equal portions and shape them into round patties about 3/4 inch thick. Place them on a plate or a tray and cover them with plastic wrap. Refrigerate them for at least an hour or up to overnight. This will help them firm up and prevent them from falling apart during baking.
Step 6: Top with butter and bake
In a small bowl, stir together the butter and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of Old Bay seasoning. Place the crab cakes on the prepared baking sheet and top each one with a dollop of the seasoned butter. Bake them in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
Oceanaire Crab Cake Nutrition Facts
Oceanaire crab cakes are not only delicious but also nutritious. They are high in protein, low in carbs, and rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Here is a breakdown of the nutrition facts for one oceanaire crab cake (based on this recipe[^2^]):
| Calories | Fat | Saturated Fat | Cholesterol | Sodium | Carbs | Fiber | Sugar | Protein |
|———-|—–|—————|————-|——–|——-|——-|——-|———|
| 168 | 10g | 4g | 82mg | 491mg | 5g | 0g | 1g | 11g |
As you can see, oceanaire crab cakes are relatively low in calories and carbs, but high in fat and cholesterol. To make them healthier, you can use low-fat mayonnaise, whole wheat bread, and less butter. You can also serve them with a green salad or some steamed vegetables for a balanced meal.
FAQs About Oceanaire Crab Cakes
What is the difference between oceanaire crab cakes and Maryland crab cakes?
Oceanaire crab cakes and Maryland crab cakes are both made with jumbo lump crab meat and Old Bay seasoning, but they have some differences in the ingredients and the cooking method. Oceanaire crab cakes use bread cubes as a filler, while Maryland crab cakes use cracker crumbs or bread crumbs. Oceanaire crab cakes are baked in the oven, while Maryland crab cakes are usually fried in a skillet. Oceanaire crab cakes are also larger and thicker than Maryland crab cakes.
How do you reheat oceanaire crab cakes?
The best way to reheat oceanaire crab cakes is to bake them in the oven at 350°F for 10 to 15 minutes or until heated through. You can also reheat them in a skillet over medium heat for 5 to 10 minutes per side or in a microwave for 1 to 2 minutes on high. However, these methods may dry out the crab cakes or make them soggy.
How do you freeze oceanaire crab cakes?
You can freeze oceanaire crab cakes before or after baking them. To freeze them before baking, shape them into patties and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze them until firm, then transfer them to a freezer bag or an airtight container. Label and date them and freeze them for up to 3 months. To bake them from frozen, preheat the oven to 400°F and bake them for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
To freeze them after baking, let them cool completely on a wire rack, then wrap each one individually in plastic wrap or foil. Place them in a freezer bag or an airtight container. Label and date them and freeze them for up to 3 months. To reheat them from frozen, preheat the oven to 350°F and bake them for 10 to 15 minutes or until heated through.
What sauce goes well with oceanaire crab cakes?
Oceanaire crab cakes are delicious on their own, but you can also serve them with various sauces to enhance their flavor. Some of the most popular sauces for crab cakes are:
- Tartar sauce: A creamy sauce made with mayonnaise, pickle relish, lemon juice, and seasonings.
- Remoulade sauce: A spicy sauce made with mayonnaise, mustard, capers, parsley, and hot sauce.
- Cocktail sauce: A tangy sauce made with ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Lemon butter sauce: A simple sauce made with butter, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- Mustard mayonnaise: A mild sauce made with mayonnaise, mustard, cream, and seasonings.
How do you make gluten-free oceanaire crab cakes?
To make gluten-free oceanaire crab cakes, you need to replace the bread cubes with a gluten-free alternative. You can use gluten-free bread crumbs or cracker crumbs, or you can use almond flour or coconut flour. You also need to make sure that the other ingredients you use are gluten-free, such as the mayonnaise, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and Old Bay seasoning.
How do you make vegan oceanaire crab cakes?
To make vegan oceanaire crab cakes, you need to replace the crab meat with a plant-based substitute. You can use jackfruit[^3^], artichoke hearts[^4^], hearts of palm[^5^], or tofu[^6^] as the main ingredient. You also need to replace the eggs with a vegan binder, such as flax eggs[^7^], chia eggs[^8^], aquafaba[^9^], or vegan mayo[^10^]. You also need to use vegan butter or oil instead of regular butter.
How do you make keto oceanaire crab cakes?
To make keto oceanaire crab cakes, you need to reduce the amount of carbs in the recipe. You can do this by.- using almond flour or coconut flour instead of bread cubes. Almond flour and coconut flour are low-carb and high-fiber alternatives that will help bind the crab meat together and add a nutty flavor.
– using sugar-free ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce to make a keto-friendly cocktail sauce. You can also use a low-carb sweetener like erythritol or stevia to add some sweetness to the sauce.
– using unsalted butter or ghee instead of regular butter. Butter and ghee are high in fat and low in carbs, which makes them suitable for a keto diet. They will also add richness and flavor to the crab cakes.
How do you make paleo oceanaire crab cakes?
To make paleo oceanaire crab cakes, you need to avoid any ingredients that are not allowed on a paleo diet, such as grains, dairy, legumes, and refined sugars. You can do this by:
– using almond flour or coconut flour instead of bread cubes. These flours are made from nuts and seeds, which are paleo-friendly and gluten-free.
– using homemade mayonnaise instead of store-bought mayonnaise. Homemade mayonnaise is made with eggs, oil, lemon juice, and seasonings, which are all paleo-approved ingredients. You can also use avocado oil or olive oil instead of vegetable oil for a healthier option.
– using fresh herbs instead of dried herbs. Fresh herbs have more flavor and nutrients than dried herbs, and they are also more natural and unprocessed.
How do you make dairy-free oceanaire crab cakes?
To make dairy-free oceanaire crab cakes, you need to replace the butter with a dairy-free alternative. You can use vegan butter, coconut oil, or olive oil instead of regular butter. These oils will provide moisture and fat to the crab cakes, as well as some flavor. You can also use dairy-free yogurt or sour cream instead of mayonnaise for a creamier dressing.
Conclusion
Oceanaire crab cakes are a delicious and easy way to enjoy seafood at home. They are made with jumbo lump crab meat, bread cubes, onion, parsley, mayonnaise, mustard, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, Old Bay seasoning, and butter. They are baked in the oven until golden brown and served with your favorite sauce. You can also customize them according to your dietary preferences and needs. Whether you want them gluten-free, vegan, keto, paleo, or dairy-free, you can find a way to make them work for you.
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