Significance

• In addition to the crab meat, Chesapeake Bay crab cake ingredients include bread crumbs or crackers, mayonnaise, eggs, Old Bay Seasoning (mandatory), and mustard (optional). Some regional recipes include green pepper or onion, but this absolutely overpowers the taste of good crab meat, so avoid these ingredients if you decide to make crab cakes yourself. The mixture is then shaped into round "cakes" which are best sauteed in butter in a cast -ron frying pan. However, you can also bake, broil, and even grill your crab cakes should you choose to do so--they are that versatile.
  
  

Types

• Crab cake perfection
  
  Either blue crab, which is indigenous to the Chesapeake Bay, or dungeness crab, from the Pacific Northwest, can be used in making crab cakes. Regardless of the type of crab, choose either the lump or claw meat of the crab. Lump crab meat is the choice for the best crab cakes. It is succulent and sweet, and comes from the meatiest portion of the crab. Crab meat can be purchased at your local fish market or supermarket in the seafood department.
  
  

Geography

• Aside from the Mid-Atlantic coast, the popularity of crab cakes has extended to the Pacific Northwest, the Gulf Coast and northern California. You will find the dish especially in demand in areas where there is a thriving crabbing industry. n these pockets of the country, the typical crab will vary in size, shape, taste and texture. Crab cakes are served on crackers, buns and plates. Condiments can include tartar sauce, mustard or ketchup.
  
  

History

• The food histories at Foodtimeline.org, have traced the origin of crab cakes to the colonies of English settlers. Research completed by studying historic American cookbooks indicates that crab and crab cake recipes have been popular since colonial times. Several of these recipes used similar ingredients to those of their modern-day descendents.
  
  

Considerations

• Going to a restaurant to eat crab cakes can become cost-prohibitive. Consider making your own crab cakes in the comfort of your own home. Experiment with your own flavors and textures, but keep the basic composition of the crab cake recipe intact. Done right, crab cakes will become one of your favorite seafood entrees.