OVEN BAKED CRAB CAKES
16 oz fresh lump crab meat, drained
1 large egg
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (or 2 teaspoons dried)
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning*
1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice (plus more for serving)
16 saltine crackers, crushed (about 2-inch size pieces)
2 tablespoons softened butter (for greasing the baking sheet)
4 tablespoons salted melted butter, divided
Lemon wedges for serving
Whisk together the egg, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, parsley, lemon juice, and all the seasonings until smooth and well combined. Pour this mixture gently over the crab meat. Sprinkle in the crushed saltine crackers, and using a spatula, carefully fold everything together. Try to preserve the large chunks of crab as much as possible.
Cover the bowl and let it chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes—or up to a full day if you’re prepping ahead.
Preheat your oven to 450°F. Grease a baking sheet generously with softened butter. Now, divide the crab mixture into six portions, roughly 1/2 cup each. Form each one lightly into a mound—don’t compress them too much; you want them just held together. Place the crab cakes on the baking sheet, spaced a few inches apart. Spoon melted butter generously over the tops so it can seep into all those delicious little crevices. Bake immediately in the hot oven for 13–15 minutes, or until a golden crust forms on top. Once out of the oven, brush with a little more melted butter and finish with a fresh squeeze of lemon. Serve right away while they’re warm and crisp.
REMOULADE SAUCE
½ cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon mustard
1 teaspoon hot sauce
½ teaspoon paprika
2 garlic cloves, grated
1 scallion, finely chopped
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon onion powder
Pinch of cayenne
Stir together the mayonnaise, mustard, hot sauce, paprika, garlic, scallion, lemon juice, onion powder, and cayenne.