Crab Cakes Eggs Benedict

ladonna gundersen — By LaDonna Gundersen

A traditional brunch entrée, Eggs Benedict is as easy to prepare for eight people as it is for four. It’s simply a matter of making the components ahead, then putting them all together to serve. (I make these with Salmon Cakes as well and is equally as delicious.)
(serves 4)

Ingredients

For the crab cakes

4 cups fresh Dungeness crabmeat
(about 4 crab, cooked and cleaned)
½ cup mayonnaise
½ cup fresh parsley, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup l emon juice
1 large egg
2 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp Old Bay seasoning
1 cup Panko bread crumbs,
plus ½ to ¾ cup for forming
1/8 cup sesame seeds
olive oil or peanut oil for frying

For the Hollandaise Sauce

1 egg yolk or 1 tbsp mayonnaise
½ tsp Dijon mustard
1½ tsp lemon juice
½ cup butter (1 stick) clarified (pg.168)
or melted
sea salt and black pepper, to taste
8 large eggs
1 tsp white vinegar
4 English muffins, split and toasted
lemon wedges for serving

Directions

To make the crab cakes:

In a large bowl; combine all ingredients, (except sesame seeds and oil) stirring gently to combine. Dividing evenly, form mixture into 8 cakes. Dredge each mound in panko and sesame seeds to coat, set aside.
In a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; sauté half the cakes in 1½ tablespoons of oil. Cook until golden, about 3 minutes, then carefully flip the cakes over and cook on the other side about 2 minutes more. Transfer to a paper-towel lined plate. Sauté remaining cakes in the same manner.

To make the hollandaise sauce:

In a blender, (or whisk by hand) place egg, mustard and lemon juice; whirl at high speed until blended. With blender running, add melted butter a few drops at a time, then increase flow to a steady stream. Season with salt and pepper.

For the poached eggs:

Fill a large skillet with enough water to reach a depth of 1½ inches and bring to a boil. Add the vinegar and heat until bubbles form on the pan bottom with an occasional one popping to the top. Break each egg into the water; do not overcrowd. Cook until set to your liking (poke white gently to check for firmness). For soft yolks and firm whites, allow 3 minutes.

Assembly:

Place two English muffin halves on each of 4 plates. Divide crab cakes among the muffins and top each with a poached egg and some sauce. Season with salt and/or pepper as desired.

Recipe excerpt from My Tiny Alaskan Oven, by La Donna Gundersen
Copyright 2014 by Ole and LaDonna Gundersen
www.ladonnarose.com