Panko-Crusted Crab Balls with Rémoulade Sauce
Author: CHEF CHRIS MONTERO
- 1 pound jumbo lump crabmeat, picked free of shell
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped red bell pepper
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped green bell pepper
- 1 tablespoon minced green onion (green parts only)
- 1 teaspoon Creole Seasoning (recipe follows)
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1½ teaspoons kosher salt, divided
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, divided
- 2 large eggs, divided
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- 3 cups plus 2 tablespoons panko (Japanese bread crumbs), divided
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup clarified butter
- Rémoulade Sauce (recipe follows)
- Garnish: minced fresh chives or parsley
- In a large bowl, combine crabmeat, bell peppers, green onion, Creole Seasoning, hot sauce, Worcestershire, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper. Lightly but thoroughly stir with a fork, being careful to keep lumps of crabmeat intact. Lightly beat 1 egg; gently add beaten egg and mayonnaise to crabmeat mixture. Add 2 tablespoons bread crumbs. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Line a baking sheet or shallow pan with parchment paper. Using a rounded 2-ounce scoop, shape chilled crabmeat mixture into 8 equal balls. Place on prepared pan. Refrigerate until firm enough to hold together well, about 3 hours.
- Preheat oven to 350°. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, lightly whisk together milk and remaining 1 egg. In a shallow dish, whisk together flour, remaining 1 teaspoon salt, and remaining ½ teaspoon pepper. In another shallow dish, place remaining 3 cups bread crumbs.
- One at a time, gently and lightly dust chilled crabmeat balls in flour mixture. Dip in egg wash, letting excess drip off. Gently roll crabmeat balls in bread crumbs. Place on prepared pan.
- Line another large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a 12-inch heavy-bottomed skillet, heat clarified butter over medium heat for about 3 minutes, being careful not to burn butter. Place 4 crabmeat balls ½ to 1 inch apart in pan; cook until undersides are nicely browned, about 3 minutes. Using a spatula, gently turn balls over; cook until browned, about 2 minutes. Place on prepared pan. Repeat with remaining 4 crabmeat balls.
- Bake just until cooked through and lightly plumped, 5 to 7 minutes. Serve with Rémoulade Sauce. Garnish with chives or parsley, if desired.
Recipe by Louisiana Cookin' at https://louisianacookin.com/panko-crusted-crab-balls-with-remoulade-sauce/
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