Thai Crabcakes
Photo: Ed Anderson
These herb-laden crabcakes, by chef-owner Christine Keff of Flying Fish in Seattle, are held together with a hand-whisked lemongrass aioli. For a shortcut aioli, mix 1 cup mayonnaise with the ginger and 1 teaspoon each lemon and lime zest.
How to Make It
Step 1
1
Mix oil, lemongrass, and ginger; let sit overnight to develop flavors. Strain oil; discard lemongrass and ginger.
Step 2
2
Set a medium bowl on a wet kitchen towel. Add yolks and 1 tsp. water and whisk to blend. Pour in oil, drop by drop at first and whisking constantly, until thickened; then pour in rest of oil in a thin stream and whisk until very thick (add 1 tsp. water if needed to thin). Put 1/3 cup aioli in a serving bowl and set aside.
Step 3
3
Add crab, panko, onion, herbs, and salt to aioli in mixing bowl and stir to combine. Form a thick patty with 1/3 to 1/2 cup crab mixture. Repeat to form 11 more patties.
Step 4
4
Heat 2 tbsp. oil in a large frying pan. Cook patties in batches, turning once and adding more oil as needed, until golden brown, about 8 minutes per batch. Serve with reserved aioli.
Step 5
5
*Peel off the 2 or 3 tough outer layers and chop the tender inner core.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups canola oil, plus more for frying
3/4 cup chopped lemongrass*
3 tablespoons roughly chopped ginger
3 large egg yolks
1 pound shelled cooked crab
1 1/2 cups panko
1/2 cup chopped green onion
1/2 cup chopped mint
1/2 cup chopped basil
1/2 cup chopped cilantro leaves
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Directions
Step 1
1
Mix oil, lemongrass, and ginger; let sit overnight to develop flavors. Strain oil; discard lemongrass and ginger.
Step 2
2
Set a medium bowl on a wet kitchen towel. Add yolks and 1 tsp. water and whisk to blend. Pour in oil, drop by drop at first and whisking constantly, until thickened; then pour in rest of oil in a thin stream and whisk until very thick (add 1 tsp. water if needed to thin). Put 1/3 cup aioli in a serving bowl and set aside.
Step 3
3
Add crab, panko, onion, herbs, and salt to aioli in mixing bowl and stir to combine. Form a thick patty with 1/3 to 1/2 cup crab mixture. Repeat to form 11 more patties.
Step 4
4
Heat 2 tbsp. oil in a large frying pan. Cook patties in batches, turning once and adding more oil as needed, until golden brown, about 8 minutes per batch. Serve with reserved aioli.
Step 5
5
*Peel off the 2 or 3 tough outer layers and chop the tender inner core.
