Delicious Seafood Cakes Recipe You Can’t Resist
Do you ever find yourself craving a taste of the South that’s both elegant and indulgent? Look no further than my Elegant Southern Seafood Cake recipe! This dish is perfect for any occasion, whether it be a fancy dinner party or a casual night in.
As a chef specializing in southern-style cuisine, I’ve always been fascinated by seafood and its versatility in cooking. For this recipe, I’ve combined scallops, flounder fillets, shrimp, and jumbo lump crabmeat to create a seafood cake that is truly out of this world.
My inspiration for this dish comes from classic southern crab cakes, but with a twist of elegance and refinement. The addition of bell peppers, garlic, and lime juice adds depth and complexity to the flavors that will leave your taste buds dancing with delight.
Not only is this recipe easy to make, but it’s also highly customizable to your preferences. With substitutions and variations listed in the following sections, you can cook up a seafood cake that perfectly suits your tastes.
So why wait? Try out my Elegant Southern Seafood Cake recipe today and experience the fusion of classic southern flavors with an elevated touch of sophistication.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
As a lover of Southern cuisine, there is nothing quite like indulging in a perfectly cooked seafood cake – and this recipe takes that experience to the next level. If you’re someone who loves seafood or is looking for an elegant and versatile recipe, then this Elegant Southern Seafood Cake recipe is for you.
The flavors of this Southern-style crab cake are unbeatable, thanks to the combination of shrimp, scallops, flounder fillets, and jumbo lump crab meat. The addition of green bell pepper, red bell pepper, garlic, and red onion elevates the dish and adds a burst of flavor with each bite.
But what makes this recipe truly special is the use of cornbread mix as the base ingredient. This not only provides a distinct texture but also elevates the overall flavor profile, making it stand out from other seafood cake recipes.
And let’s not forget about the herb sauce that takes this dish to another level – with ingredients such as lime juice, mayonnaise, and cayenne pepper blended together to create a deliciously tangy and spicy sauce that complements the seafood perfectly.
Whether you’re hosting a fancy dinner party or just cooking for your family on a weeknight, this Elegant Southern Seafood Cake recipe is sure to impress with its unique blend of flavors and elegant presentation. So why not give it a try? You’re bound to love it!
Ingredient List
- 1 pound lump crabmeat
- 1/2 pound scallops, finely chopped
- 1/2 pound flounder fillets, finely chopped
- 4 ounces shrimp, finely chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, finely diced
- 1 green bell pepper, finely diced
- 1 small red onion, finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and white pepper to taste
- Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 package cornbread mix prepared according to package instructions.
Notes on the Ingredients:
Seafood:
The combination of lump crabmeat, scallops, flounder, and shrimp gives a rich flavor to the cake. It is essential to chop them into fine pieces so that all the flavors come together perfectly.
Vegetables:
This recipe requires finely diced bell peppers and onions to add texture and crunch. Make sure that you chop the vegetables evenly and finely so that they cook perfectly in the cake.
Seasoning:
The cake gets its spicy kick from a pinch of cayenne pepper. Similarly, white pepper adds flavor without overpowering or changing the color of the dish, while a dash of lime juice makes it fresh.
Mayonnaise:
Use good quality mayonnaise as it contributes significantly to the flavor and texture of this dish. Additionally, It helps all the ingredients bind together.
Cornbread Mix:
Using cornbread mix makes for a perfect binding agent without too much breading. The bread crumbs make the cake moist from inside and crispy outside.
The Recipe How-To
Now that we have all the ingredients necessary for an elevated Southern Seafood Cake, it’s time to get cooking! In this section, I will guide you through the step-by-step process to create a masterpiece seafood cake that is both elegant and delicious.
Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables
We will begin by sautéing our vegetables in a skillet with olive oil over medium heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves, a small diced red onion, small diced green bell pepper, and small diced red bell pepper. Cook until the vegetables are tender and slightly browned, then remove from heat.
Step 2: Prepare the Seafood
Take 1 pound of lump crabmeat, 4 ounces chopped scallops, 4 ounces chopped flounder fillets, and 4 ounces chopped shrimp in a mixing bowl. Add white pepper, cayenne pepper, salt, and lime juice to taste. Next, mix in the mayonnaise along with your cooked vegetables.
Step 3: Mix and Form the Cake
Stir in cornbread mix prepared according to box instruction until mixture has a uniform consistency. Then divide mixture into four equally sized portions to form cakes roughly two inches thick. Lightly coat each cake in bread crumbs.
Step 4: Grill the Cakes
Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat with a tablespoon of olive oil. Cook your seafood cakes for two minutes on each side, or until they become golden brown.
Step 5: Prepare Herb Sauce
For our last step but certainly not the least important one, let’s notch up these elegant Southern Seafood Cakes up a level by making some herb sauce! Here is what you’ll need:
– Two tablespoons of olive oil
– A cup of mayonnaise
– One minced garlic clove
– One small diced green bell pepper
– A quarter cup of chopped fresh parsley
– Two tablespoons of lemon juice
Whisk ingredients together until you have a smooth mixture.
Now, it’s time to assemble and serve your Elegant Southern Seafood Cakes with your herb sauce. You can also add shoestring potatoes on top for an extra crunch!
Substitutions and Variations
One of the best things about cooking is the ability to make a recipe your own. That said, here are some substitutions and variations for this elegant Southern seafood cake recipe that can help you personalize it to your liking:
– Seafood: If you don’t have scallops or flounder fillets, feel free to substitute other types of seafood, such as cod or salmon. You can also adjust the ratios of shrimp and crabmeat to your preference, or even try using lobster meat.
– Vegetables: The recipe calls for green and red bell peppers and red onion, but you can swap them out with other veggies. Try using celery, diced tomatoes, or leeks instead of bell peppers. You can also use yellow or white onions instead of red onion.
– Spices: The combination of salt, cayenne, and white pepper gives these cakes a nice kick of heat. But if you’re not a fan of those spices, consider using paprika or chili powder instead.
– Mayonnaise: If you’re not a big fan of mayonnaise or are looking for a slightly healthier option, try using Greek yogurt or sour cream as a substitute.
– Cornbread mix: While cornbread mix adds great texture and flavor to these cakes, you can substitute it with bread crumbs if preferred.
– Sauce: The herb sauce recipe is delicious on its own, but you can experiment with other sauces too. Some options include tartar sauce, remoulade sauce, or a spicy aioli.
Remember that substitutions in the recipe may change the final result slightly – so don’t be afraid to experiment! These substitutions and variations will help make this Southern seafood cake recipe unique to you while still maintaining its elegant taste.
Serving and Pairing
Now that your elegant southern seafood cake is ready, let’s talk about how to serve it and what to pair it with. This dish is a true showstopper and deserves to be served in style. One option is to top it with some herb sauce, like a lemon-dill or aioli sauce. This will give your seafood cake an extra kick and enhance the flavors even more.
As for pairings, a sparkling wine or champagne would complement the dish perfectly. Its crispness and bubbly quality will cut through the richness of the seafood cake while enhancing its flavors. A Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay are also great options for white wine lovers. If you’re in the mood for a cocktail, try a light gin and tonic, which will add a refreshing tanginess to the mix.
Another pairing possibility is to serve the seafood cake on top of a bed of fresh greens like arugula or frisée that have been dressed with some tangy vinaigrette. This would provide a fresh balance against the richness of the cake.
And if you’re looking for something more substantial, serving this dish alongside some roasted vegetables or potatoes would be an excellent choice. Try roasting carrots with honey and thyme or tossing baby potatoes in olive oil and rosemary before roasting them in the oven.
In sum, whether you want to keep it simple or get creative with your pairings, this elegant southern seafood cake pairs well with various beverages and side dishes – just take your pick!
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
With the elegant Southern seafood cake recipe, you can easily prepare them ahead of time for convenience. Simply follow the instructions, prepare the cakes as directed and then store them in the refrigerator until ready for use. You can store the seafood cakes in an airtight container or wrap them tightly with a plastic wrap, making sure to remove any excess air.
When it comes to reheating these delicious seafood cakes, preheat your cooking device (whether it’s an oven or a skillet) to 350F. Add a tbsp of olive oil to your skillet or baking sheet and heat it up for a minute. Then place your pre-made cakes into your heated skillet or baking sheet and cook them on each side for 4-5 minutes on medium heat. If you are using an oven, place them on a baking sheet that is lightly coated with cooking spray for 8-10 minutes.
If you want to make these seafood cakes ahead of time and freeze them for longer storage, you will need to wrap them more securely with freezer paper or heavy-duty foil. Properly wrapped seafood cakes can last up to three months in the freezer. Defrosting these frozen cakes is easy; just leave them in your refrigerator overnight before reheating using any of the methods described above.
Also note that doing this may slightly alter the texture and taste so it’s best to consume or reheat within hours after defrosting. Now you don’t have to spend all day preparing fresh seafood cakes every time you crave something delicious and Southern-inspired; you can make several batches ahead of time and store until needed.
Tips for Perfect Results
Making the perfect elegant southern seafood cake can be a bit challenging without proper guidance. However, with these tips, you will be able to make a delicious and uncompromised cake!
Firstly, always use high-quality ingredients. Fresh seafood should always be the number one priority. Using fresh scallops, flounder fillets, and shrimp will give you a better taste than using frozen ones. Additionally, always pay attention to the brand of lump crabmeat that you purchase – not all crabmeats are created equal. Consider buying premium brands as they have more meat in their packages compared to watery fillers.
Secondly, when mixing the ingredients, avoid over-mixing them as this can cause your mixture to break apart when frying. To avoid this mishap from happening, gently fold each ingredient into the mixture until fully combined.
Thirdly, when frying the cakes, use a non-stick skillet or griddle with enough oil to cover the bottom so that they won’t stick to the surface. Use medium heat since cooking it too fast will burn the exterior and leave the inside raw.
Finally, one essential tip for making seafood cakes is serving them immediately after frying. If you’re preparing them ahead of time for a party or an event, then consider storing them in a warm oven (250 degrees) for no more than 15-20 minutes instead of reheating them – this way, they will maintain their crispiness and not become soggy.
By following these tips and techniques, you can ensure that your elegant southern seafood cake recipe comes out perfect every time. So go ahead and experiment with different variations and enjoy it!
Bottom Line
In conclusion, if you are looking for an elegant and delicious recipe that will impress your guests, look no further than this southern seafood cake recipe. The combination of flounder fillets, scallops, shrimp, and lump crab meat creates a wonderful medley of flavors and textures that is sure to please everyone’s palate. And with the addition of red and green bell peppers, red onion, garlic, lime juice, mayonnaise and spices like cayenne pepper, white pepper and salt, this dish is packed with flavor.
Not only is this southern seafood cake recipe easy to prepare, but it also offers a wide variety of substitutions and variations that can be tailored to your preferences. Plus, it can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator or freezer for convenience. And with our tips for perfect results, you can be confident that your seafood cakes will come out perfectly every time.
So why settle for the same old boring meal when you can wow your dinner guests with this exquisite southern-style seafood cake? Give it a try today and see what all the fuss is about! You won’t be disappointed.
Elegant Southern Seafood Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 packet cornbread mix, prepared
- 1 small red onion
- 1 red bell pepper, small
- 1 small green bell pepper
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lb lump crabmeat
- 1/2 lb shrimp
- 1/2 lb flounder fillets
- 1/4 lb scallops
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne
- salt
- white pepper
- 6 tablespoons clarified butter
Instructions
- Well in advance, prepare cornbread according to package directions. Cool and process in food processor or blender to make fine crumbs. Set aside.
- Finely chop Onion.
- Remove seeds and veins from Peppers and chop into approximately 1/2 inch pieces.
- Peel, chop, and finely crush garlic. Saute Onion in 10 inch frying pan in hot olive Oil until soft, about 4 minutes.
- Add Peppers and Garlic and continue cooking until Peppers are almost tender.
- Meanwhile, peel shrimp.
- Coarsely chop shrimp, scallops and flounder.
- Remove Onion/Pepper mixture from heat and add eafood, mayonnaise and lime juice.
- Stir gently to prevent breaking up crab.
- Season to taste with Salt, Pepper and cayenne.
- Shape into patties and coat both sides with cornbread crumbs. (May now be placed n a plate and refrigerated for up to an hour) When ready to serve, heat 2 tablespoons of the clarified Butter in the frying pan over a moderately high flame.
- Saute 3 cakes at a time until golden on both ides, about 2 minutes.
- Add more Butter as necessary.
- May be served with Creamy Corn Sauce.
- Spoon warm corn Sauce on plate and place seafood cake on top.
Add Your Own Notes
Nutrition
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