Although the crab cake is traditionally thought of as being a northeast cost dish, and more specifically with Maryland, these taste treats have gone world wide in their appeal to seafood lovers. Crab cakes are considered an American classic, with origins that stretch back to colonial days. They are marketed in many restaurants as Maryland Crab Cakes, but these days the meat used is not only from the waters off of Maryland. Crabs such as the Alaskan king crab, and many others are used in the making of this dish.

The traditional crab cake uses lump crab meat, bread or cracker crumbs, chopped onion, seasonings, and egg to hold it together. The ingredients are mixed together, and formed into cakes or patties. The cakes are then fried and clarified butter and served warm. Depending on the size of the crab cake, they can be served as either appetizers or entrees.

While traditionalists would tell you that this is the only way crab cakes should be served, many others will tell you that crab meat is versatile enough to be used in more creative ways. Modern crab cakes are now being served in many different ways, along with the traditional style. You can now see Asian style crab cakes, Cajun crab cakes, and even South West style, as cooks across the country experiment with different ingredients and flavors.

Even those that enjoy the traditional crab cake have had fun mixing up different sauces to compliment the crab cake. You are likely to see it served with a Hollandaise sauce, or a lime sauce, or perhaps even a citrus mayonnaise. The possibilities are only limited by your creativity.

Do not be afraid to experiment. Nobody knows your taste in food as well as you do. If you like spicier foods, try a chipotle mayonnaise over your crab cake. Or if you prefer Asian, you may think about a teriyaki crab cake. The point is, you can be as creative or as traditional as you desire. There really are no limits to what you can try.

Crab cakes are easy to make, and they taste great. Once you find a recipe you like, you can either stick with it, or use it as a starting place for trying your own variations on how you serve them. As a main dish or as an appetizer, crab cakes are a dish that please crowds where ever they are served. Get started with your crab cakes today.