Crab Cakes with Remoulade Sauce

Crab Cakes are so delicious and one of my favorite appetizers when I go out to dinner. They are a great appetizer or make a great meal on their own. I love to have a traditional cajun remoulade sauce with my Crab Cakes, but these are also heavenly with mango salsa.  You can enjoy these a s alight snack, serve with sweet potato fries or a refreshing salad. 

    Crab Cake Ingredients

1 lb lump crab bmeat, picked through and any bits of shell removed (try not to break up the lumps of crab meat as you pick through it)

1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter (divided, 1 Tbsp and 3 Tbsp)

1/2 cup chopped shallots

1 teaspoon kosher salt

2 large eggs

1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon of sweet paprika

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 tablespoon old bay seasoning

¼ cup chopped green onion

1 teaspoon lemon zest

I tablespoon lemon  juice

1/4 teaspoon Tabasco

2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley

1 ½ cup bread crumbs

Directions: 

Heat one tablespoon of butter in a small skillet over medium high heat. Add the shallots and a half teaspoon of salt. Cook until the shallots are translucent, a couple minutes. Do not brown. Let the shallots cool.

 Whisk together the eggs, Worcestershire sauce, remaining half teaspoon of salt, paprika, freshly ground black pepper,  lemon zest, Tabasco, parsley, and the cooked shallots. Gently fold in the crabmeat and approximately 1/2 cup bread crumbs (use more if needed). The mixture will be very wet. Using your  hands, take a scoop of the crab mixture and gently form it into a patty form about 2 1/4 inches across and 3/4 inches thick.

 Continue until you've made 12 crab cake patties. Line a rimmed tray with a piece of wax paper just large enough to hold the cakes and sprinkle the bottom of the tray with 1/2 of the remaining breadcrumbs. Set the crab cakes in one layer on the top of the layer of bread crumbs and sprinkle them with the remaining bread crumbs. Cover the crab cakes loosely with another sheet of wax paper and chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour.

Heat Peanut oil in frying pan working in batches, place the crab cakes in the pan (do not crowd the pan), and cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes on each side.

Remoulade Sauce

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
4 tablespoons Creole mustard or grainy mustard
1/4 yellow onion, grated
1 celery stick finely chopped
1 rounded tablespoon prepared horseradish
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon hot sauce, such as Tabasco
1 teaspoon paprika 
A handful fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped 

Delicious!

 Bon Appetit!

Orange Peacock

 Happy Monday loves! How was your weekend? Mine was great, but I must admit, I am sick of this heat! I went to one of my favorite farmers markets. Read about it here and I also tried a new restaurant with a friend and wore a vibrant, bright, flirty, summery orange dress with some peacock accents. It has certainly been scorching and when the temperature rises, I live in summer dresses. How about you? 

My dress actually came from Forever 21 and these days lots of folks way past 21 shop there including myself, LOL They have great accessories and you can get staple items for great prices. I am still working my way through my birthday gift cards, and I found one for F-21 in the stash and did not hesitate to grab this cute dress.  I shop everywhere.  Where do you like to shop?

 Dress: F-21, Denim Jacket: Old Navy, Shoes: Private Boutique, Earrings: Los Angeles Fashion District, Clutch: Random Boutique

This clutch is one of my favorites. I have a serious obsession with clutches. They are timeless. Items like classic sheaths and clutches never go out of style. I tend to update  my wardrobe with accessories. Have you heard the saying, its easier to update the rugs and pillows rather than buying a new  sofa? I apply that same concept to clothes. Indulge in a fun trendy item here and there, but invest the  most in classic pieces that are always chic and never dated because they are timeless.

 I love denim or motorcycle jackets with girlie dresses. What are some of your favorite looks?

Have an amazing day!

Torrance Farmers Market

There is only one place where you can get fresh vegetables, candy sweet traditional and exotic, fruit, fresh blooms,  artisan cheese, seafood and any other epicurean treat your heart desires at below market price. if you guessed the farmers market. You are right!  With a variety of farmers markets all over Greater Los Angeles, there is no shortage of farmers markets to experience. The Torrance Certified Farmers Market in the South Bay community of Los Angeles is one of the best farmers markets to experience. Bright and early on Saturday morning, this is the place to be!

The fresh produce is perfect for recession proof shopping. I often buy fresh ingredients here for some of those scrumptious food posts you all love:-) One of my favorite parts of this farmers market is the food court. The roster of food vendors is like experiencing  a culinary world tour and you don't need to live the country! Thai, Chinese, Italian, Mexican, Euro Mexican and everything in between can be found here so make sure you come with the appetite to try some great food and when you get thirsty there are lots of icy agua frescas made with fresh fruit like mango, watermelon, lemon and strawberries  to quench your thirst.

Fresh strawberries are so abundant this season and they are available here for great prices, organic and pesticide free

These cherries were the sweetest I have ever tasted

unbelievable sweet cherries

 Rainbow Carrots

 Amazing fresh breads

 Looking for gluten free? no problem! They've got it!

Farmers markets are a great way to experience your community in a fun setting

Great place for the whole family:-)

These chicken tacos from the food court were soooo good!

And there is nothing like watching a skilled crepe maker create a delicious nutella crepe right before your eyes:-)

This nutella crepe from Acadie Crepe was insanely delicious! Nutella, not your thing? there are several other options including crepes with fresh strawberries and whipped cream

Thai barbecue chicken skewers and yes, they are every bit as good as they look! Try Thai Tiffany

The experience would not be complete without snagging a bag of fresh kettle corn! from Frontier Kettle Corn you can also have it warm and freshly popped.

And you can select from a variety of gorgeous blooms to decorate your home or give to someone special:-)  To experience all that the Torrance Farmers Market has to offer, check it out on Saturdays from 8:00 -1:00 PM.

2200 Crenshaw Blvd. 

between Sepulveda Blvd. and Carson St.

Orange + Stripes +Zebra

Happy Tuesday loves.  I hope you had a great weekend. My son and I spent the weekend in Vegas. I had a great time and it was fun to see Vegas through the eyes of my five year old son. I don't go to Vegas to gamble, I go strictly for the great shows, dining and shopping.  Since this time around, it was all about my son, we spent lots of time at the Adventure dome, and eating all of those foods that make you remember being a kid like funnel cake, snow cones and extra cheesey nachos. We capped each evening off with a warm Krispy Kreme donut. 

I must say, Vegas is a great place to shop!  And I definitely have discovered on my last few trips to Vegas that some of the best eateries are not on the strip. Do you ever venture off the strip when you go to Vegas?

 Orange Dress: F-21, Zebra Shoes: Target: Hat: Lane Bryant, Cuff and ring: F-21

Orange is such a lovely color. I love this dress and have been a repeat offender by wearing it so much. I wore it in a slightly different way in a another post. Click here to see a variation on how I styled this dress. I think I can definitely find some ways to winterize this dress. Do you agree? How would you style this for fall?

I had such a great time in Vegas that I can't wait to go back and have a "me" weekend there. I was amazed by the H&M in Caesars Palace. It was huge and had a massive selection of fabulous clothing. And the Zara and Topshop had some great sales going on. Definitely tempting.

There is definitely no shortage of great places to shop, dine and stay. Of course, the luxury hotels are  my favorites and I am anxious to try a new one that just opened and is all suites without a slot machine in sight. It is all about relaxation and luxury.  What are your favorite hotels and restaurants in Vegas? Any places you think I should try on my next trip?

Nothing like a tropical Martini. I am not a big drinker, but when I have a cocktail, I love sweet drinks. Do you have a favorite cocktail? or mocktail?

Have an Amazing Day!

Yang Chow (LV's LA)

There is no shortage of great Chinese Restaurants in Los Angeles, but some of the best are in Chinatown. With so many options, one great restaurant to try is Yang Chow Mandarin and Szechwan Cuisine.

 

Although Yang Chow has plenty to offer including those familiar favorites such as sweet and sour chicken orange chicken and everything else chicken.  I have only two words for you: "Slippery Shrimp" this dish is hands down one of the best the restaurant has to offer and a signature dish. Don't even think about not trying it. You have to. Its that simple. Slippery Shrimp.

The meal started with these tasty vegetable springrolls

Don't these look yummy? Believe me, they were:-) Light crispy and lots of fresh cabbage.

The infamous Slippery Shrimp. If you love sweet n spicy, this is the dish for you. A hint of ginger, a touch of heat, a brush of sweet.  And it is all happening at the same time. Amazing.

Did I mention that the slippery shrimp is amazing?

Green Beans with minced chicken. Delicious and perfect for those on a low carb diet

No Chinese restaurant experience would be complete without 

fried rice. When you don't need to add soy sauce to your rice, you know it is very flavorful.

 I was tickled by this fortune cookie.  People tell me this all the time. It is that half introvert half extrovert thing...

 If you are in the Los Angeles area, Yang Chow is definitely worth checking out and a great place to grab a meal before a play or concert and is in close proximity to the  theater district.

Yang Chow

819 N Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90012

(213) 625-0811