In Trinidad and Tobago, crabs are traditionally cooked whole and the meat picked out. This sophisticated dish combines American-style crab cakes with the island flavor of callaloo, a green stew that's the national dish of Trinidad. Here, the stew becomes a sauce, creating an elegant starter or light lunch.
Recipe information
Yield
8 servings
Ingredients
To form crab cakes
4
2
2
2
4
4
4
1
1
1
1
2
4
3
8
4
For callaloo
2
1
6
1
1
2
2
1
2
2
To cook crab cakes
1
To assemble dish
1
Need to make a substitution?
Preparation
Form crab cakes
Step 1
In large sauté pan over low heat, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add red, yellow, and green peppers; scallions; celery; and pimientos. Sauté until soft, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to large bowl and let cool.
Step 2
Add crabmeat, mayonnaise, mustard, salt, and pepper to vegetables and stir to combine. Form mixture into 16 patties.
Step 3
Place Wondra in large bowl. In second large bowl, whisk together eggs and remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil. In third large bowl, place panko. In fourth large bowl, beat egg whites until foamy. In fifth large bowl, place grated sweet potatoes.
Step 4
Carefully dip 1 patty in Wondra and dust off excess. Then, dip in beaten eggs, allowing excess to drip off, and then in panko. Next, dip in egg whites, allowing excess to drip off. Finally, dip in shredded sweet potatoes, gently pressing potato to patty. Transfer patty to large baking sheet and repeat with remaining patties, filling 2 baking sheets. Refrigerate 30 minutes.
Make callaloo
Step 5
In medium saucepan, combine coconut milk, callaloo leaves, okra, onion, pumpkin, scallions, pimientos, Scotch bonnet, garlic, and thyme. Bring to boil, lower heat, and simmer 1 hour.
Cook crab cakes
Step 6
In large skillet over moderately low heat, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add 4 crab cakes and fry until potatoes are golden and crispy, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Drain crab cakes on paper towels and keep warm. Add 2 more tablespoons oil to pan and cook 4 more cakes. Repeat with remaining cakes, cooking in batches of 4 and adding 2 tablespoons oil before each batch. Keep warm in oven.
Assemble dish
Step 7
Remove thyme sprigs and Scotch bonnet from callaloo and discard. Pour mixture into blender and purée until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Divide among 8 soup plates, and top each with 2 crab cakes.