Crab Cakes

Preparation

1. Step 1

   In a skillet cook onion and celery in 4 tablespoons butter over moderately low heat, stirring, until tender and transfer to a bowl. Stir in crab and bread crumbs. In a small bowl whisk together mayonnaise, Old Bay seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, parsley, and salt and pepper to taste and stir into crab mixture until combined well.

   Step 2

   Line a baking sheet with wax paper. Form crab mixture into 6 flattened rounds, each about 3 inches wide and 3/4 inches thick, and transfer to baking sheet. Chill crab cakes, covered with plastic wrap, at least 1 hour and up to 4.

   Step 3

   In a heavy skillet heat 1 tablespoon butter over moderate heat until foam subsides and cook half of crab cakes until golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Cook remaining cakes in remaining tablespoon butter in same manner.

2. Step 4

   Serve crab cakes warm with lemon wedges. Makes 6 cakes.