The Great Crab Cake Cook-Off

Last weekend, I had the honor of competing in the First Annual Great Crab Cook-Off. Of Smithville.

The competition was pretty tough, Neighbor Ted brought out the big guns, capers. I think he was trying to be Vanna White with the hand waving.

Anyway, Neighbor Yvonne was hosting it at her place, bless her.

There were some challenges getting the judges together. And not all of the crab cakes were ready at judging time, so in my opinion, they should have been disqualified. Neighbor Ted and I were the only ones who were ready, and he was no competition. And I had mine there on time despite having to cook six other dishes that day…more on that later.

But I was at a big disadvantage. And the reason was this…these guys were the panel of judges. And none of them are mine.

My kids refused to take part. The boy doesn’t eat crab cakes and the girl was with a friend and way too cool to be on a panel with a bunch of boys. There’s Neighbor Drew. He’s getting big too…

And this kid, Neighbor Garret…although he’s a star pitcher on his little league team…and he has cute cheeks…he’s my nemesis. For you see, I put green curry in my crab cakes. And he doesn’t like hot food.

This is his score sheet. Do you see where I am? Dead last. A 4 for taste? Come on! And I had a mint flower as garnish, I should have gotten at least a 9 for presentation. That’s the last time I pinch those cheeks again.

But wait, Neighbor Nick was also on the panel. He likes me so I have a fighting chance still.

Then there’s Joe P. I just met him that day and he cooked his crab cakes without a shirt on. Ummm…I think he wins.

But no, it’s Pretty Andrea who’s the winner. She won by a landslide actually. I don’t have her recipe, it’s probably a secret, but here’s what’s in mine. Bad English, sorry.

• 1 lb crab
• 1/4 cup green curry
• 3 tbs soy sauce
• 3 tbs rice vinegar
• salt
• pepper
• 3 tbs flour
• additional flour for cooking

Mix together all ingredients. Roll the crab mixture into a ball and flatten. Then coat each side with flour and saute for approximately two minutes on high heat on either side.

On the other hand, if you don’t like hot food, leave out the green curry. But then it wouldn’t be my extra extra special Asian crab cakes. I made up the recipe that day but it’s now forever immortalized in my blog.

Bon appetite!

It’s Foodie Friday at Designs by Gollum. It’s just Thursday night but I have another big day tomorrow so I have to do this early.