Ingredients

Thai Crab Cakes Ingredients:

For the Dipping Sauce:

• 1-2 small Thai Chili (or 1/2 half Serrano pepper), seeded removed + finely chopped

• 2 garlic cloves, finely minced or crushed 

• 1 Tbsp ginger, grated 

• 1 tsp lemongrass, grated 

• 1/3 cup sugar

• 2 Tbsp water 

• 3 Tbsp rice vinegar 

• 1.5 Tbsp lime juice

• 2 tsp fish sauce 

• optional: 1 tbsp. cilantro, finely chopped

For the Crab Cakes:

• 8 oz lump crab meat, picked through (cartilage and shells fragments discarded)

• 1 Thai chili (or 1/2 half Serrano pepper), seeds removed + thinly sliced

• 2 scallions (greens only), finely sliced

• 1 tbsp ginger, grated 

• 1 tbsp cilantro

• 1 large egg, beaten

• 1 tbsp lime juice

• 1 tsp lime zest

• 1 tsp fish sauce 

• 1 tsp kosher salt

• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs

• 2 Tbsp vegetable oil

Pan con Tomate Ingredients:

• 1 loaf ciabatta bread (or another thick-crust loaf of bread)

• 2 large tomatoes (heirloom if possible)

• 1 tsp kosher salt

• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil + more for finishing 

• 3 large garlic cloves, halved 

• as needed flaky salt  

Method

Crab Cakes Dipping Sauce Method:

1. Combine chopped chilis, garlic, ginger, and lemongrass in a small bowl.

2. In a small pot, combine the sugar and water. Stir consistently over medium-low heat until the sugar is dissolved.

3. Cook for an additional 30 seconds until the syrup just begins to simmer.

4. Add the chili mixture and cook for another 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until the sauce is fragrant and thickened further.

5. Turn off the heat and add the rice vinegar, lime juice, and fish sauce.

6. Allow the sauce to cool to room temperature before serving.

7. Optionally, garnish the sauce with cilantro.

Crab Cakes Method:

1. Combine the crab meat, chili, scallions, ginger, cilantro, egg, lime juice and zest, fish sauce, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Gently fold to combine with your hands or a spatula.

2. Add 1/4 cup breadcrumbs to bring the mixture together.

3. Gently, shape the mixture into 4 even-sized patties.

4. Add the remaining breadcrumbs to a shallow bowl or plate.

5. Lightly coat the crab cakes in the breadcrumbs.

6. Heat 1 Tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

7. Reduce heat to medium-low and add two crab cakes. Cook until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes on each side.

8. Add more oil and repeat the process with the remaining crab cakes.

9. Serve with the dipping sauce.

Pan Con Tomate Method:

1. Cut the tomatoes in half and grate them using the largest side of a box grater.

2. Add the grated tomatoes to a bowl and add salt. Let sit while you prepare the bread.

3. Slice the ciabatta loaf in half lengthwise and then cut each half into 2-inch strips.

4. Generously brush the bread slices with olive oil and place cut-side up on a rimmed baking sheet.

5. Place the baking sheet in the oven and broil for 2-4 minutes or until the slices have toasted.

6. Rub the slices with the cut sides of the garlic cloves.

7. Top the slices with the tomato mixture.

8. Season with flakey salt and a generous drizzle of olive oil.