Creamy Crunchy Crab Cakes

My husband loves seafood. Shrimp, crab, lobster, crawfish, clams, you name it. Chances are if its swimming around in the ocean, he wants to eat it. One of the saddest days for him was when our daughter was diagnosed with a shellfish allergy, and a whitefish allergy. Well two months ago she went for a follow up appointment to get her epi pen prescription re filled. We've never had to use one (thank goodness! ) but they do expire after a while. While we were there her doctor decided to test her again, and my daughter came back allergy free. The look on my husband's face after being told our daughter had outgrown her allergies was priceless. We had fish for dinner that very night.

He occasionally asks me for things that surprise me. We had a package of imitation crab meat sitting in the freezer, awaiting inspiration to strike me when he asked me if I could make crab cakes out of it. I said sure why not? Then instantly regretted it. I had never made crab cakes before, and had nothing any of the recipes I found online called for except crab and onion. So what did I do?

Got creative of course! I said I would make crab cakes so I would, even if I had to stretch the definition of crab cake a little bit. So I rummaged through my cupboards and fridge and came up with:

1 package imitation crab meat, chopped
1 eight oz brick of cream cheese, warmed in the microwave for 60 seconds
10 green onions, chopped
1 egg
1/2 a teaspoon old bay seasoning
2 cups puffed rice cereal, separated

Mix the first five ingredients with 1 cup of puffed rice. Let your mixture set in the refrigerator for five minutes. Scoop out a tablespoon at a time and press into the remaining puffed rice, to coat. This is a messy procedure so if you don't want dirty hands, wear some food safe gloves. Drop your cakes into 375° oil and fry until golden brown, about two minutes on each side. Drain off excess grease and enjoy with some Tartar sauce or cocktail sauce. Both only require three ingredients.

TARTAR SAUCE

1cup Mayo
2 tablespoons sweet relish
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice

Mix all ingredients well.

COCKTAIL SAUCE

1 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons grated horseradish
1/2 cup lemon juice

Mix all ingredients well.

And there you have it! Another easy and delicious dish from my kitchen to your table!