Recipe: Crab Cakes with Easy Rémoulade

When I was in college, I took a spring break scuba-diving trip off the coast of St. Eustatius, a tiny little island a hop-skip-and-jump away from the better-known St. Martin. It was a carefree week of exploring long-lost shipwrecks, sipping on homemade piña coladas, and nursing a serious sunburn.

I was staying in the guest house of a local woman who hosted divers from around the world. Her accommodations were relaxed and hospitable, as if it was your own grandmother’s house. There were Dutch-style doors in my bedroom, which allowed the nosy pet rooster to pop in on his own accord, as well as a freestanding outdoor shower in the middle of an abundant rose garden (oh, what I would do to have that shower now). There was even a furry tarantula taking up residence in my bathroom. It was pure bliss. (Well, except for the whole spider-in-the-bathroom part.)

On the last day of my vacation, I happened to notice a tattered recipe for “Statia (as the island is known to locals) Crab Cakes” taped to the refrigerator door. I quickly copied it down, knowing it would make a long-lasting souvenir. Unfortunately, when I tried to replicate the recipe in my ill-equipped sophomoric kitchen, I ended up with crumbly and disgusting mush. (Looking back, I probably used canned crab. That explains so much.) My cooking skills have come a long way since then, as has my crab cake recipe.

These crab cakes are all about the crab. A little bit of mayonnaise, panko, and an egg keep it all together, and the bell peppers and scallions add some fresh flavor and texture. This recipe is easy enough for a weeknight meal, but special enough for entertaining. I just so happened to make these for my dad last week and he declared them “the best he’d ever had.” I just might have to agree.