CRAB CAKES WITH CREAMY CAPER SAUCE

Crab Cakes with Creamy Caper Sauce image

Provided by Bill Brett

Yield Makes 12 first-course servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

Sauce
1 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup drained capers, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/2 cup chopped fresh chives
Crab Cakes
1 1/2 pounds crabmeat
1 cup plus 2 1/2 cups fresh breadcrumbs
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup spicy brown mustard
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 large egg, beaten to blend
2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
1/2 cup or more vegetable oil (for frying)

Steps:

for caper sauce:
Whisk all ingredients in medium bowl. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
for crab cakes:
Combine crabmeat, 1 cup breadcrumbs, and next five ingredients in large bowl. Spread 2 1/2 cups breadcrumbs on rimmed baking sheet. Using 1/4-cup capacity ice-cream scoop, form crab mixture into 24 small balls. Flatten slightly. Coat crab cakes in breadcrumbs, transfer to another baking sheet. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours and up to 1 day.
Heat 1/2 cup oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, fry crab cakes until brown, adding more oil to skillet as needed, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer 2 crab cakes to each of 12 plates. Serve, passing caper sauce alongside.