Tequila Lime "Maioli" With Golden Panko Crab Cakes

Name: Tequila Lime "Maioli" With Golden Panko Crab Cakes
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: The aioli-like dressing; 1 farm fresh egg yolk, room temperature; 2/3 cup grapeseed oil or equivalent; 1 tablespoon cider or lime vinegar; 1 smashed peeled clove of garlic or 1-2 tsp. finely minced green garlic if available; 1/3 cup olive oil; 1-2 teaspoons fresh lime zest; 1 caper berry finely minced; pinch of sea salt; 1-3 tsp. tequila (Reposado preferred); 1 tablespoon finely minced herbs (parsley, chives) optional; pinch of aleppo pepper, if desired; The crab cakes; 8 ounces lump crab meat (wild caught if possible); 1/8 cup plus 2 tbl. of the aioli-inspired dressing; 1 small egg, slightly beaten; 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard; 1/8 cup chopped red onions; 1/8 cup chopped chives (or ramps); 3 caper berries, finely chopped; small handful of chopped parsley; 2 teaspoons lime zest; 1/2 teaspoon or more aleppo pepper; 1/4 cup seasoned panko; 3/4 cup panko in a flat dish; grapeseed oil for frying; caper berries, fresh herbs, and lime wedges for garnish

Servings: persons

The aioli-like dressing
1 farm fresh egg yolk, room temperature
2/3 cup grapeseed oil or equivalent
1 tablespoon cider or lime vinegar
1 smashed peeled clove of garlic or 1-2 tsp. finely minced green garlic if available
1/3 cup olive oil
1-2 teaspoons fresh lime zest
1 caper berry finely minced
pinch of sea salt
1-3 tsp. tequila (Reposado preferred)
1 tablespoon finely minced herbs (parsley, chives) optional
pinch of aleppo pepper, if desired
The crab cakes
8 ounces lump crab meat (wild caught if possible)
1/8 cup plus 2 tbl. of the aioli-inspired dressing
1 small egg, slightly beaten
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/8 cup chopped red onions
1/8 cup chopped chives (or ramps)
3 caper berries, finely chopped
small handful of chopped parsley
2 teaspoons lime zest
1/2 teaspoon or more aleppo pepper
1/4 cup seasoned panko
3/4 cup panko in a flat dish
grapeseed oil for frying
caper berries, fresh herbs, and lime wedges for garnish

1
In a bowl resting on a tea towel (thanks, Food52 for the tip) whisk the yolk, vinegar, garlic and a tiny splash of the grapeseed or canola oil.
2
you continue to whisk away, slowly pour a thin stream of the same oil into the bowl. The mix should fluff up and pull together. At this point you can switch over to the olive oil. In the same fashion pour a slow steady stream into the bowl as you whisk nonstop. Add the zest. Taste and adjust the acidity and salt level if needed. Add the salt, caper berry, tequila, and optional herbs and aleppo.
3
Gently combine all but the last three ingredients. Form these into 16 small disks. Dip each one into the seasoned panko and flip over to get both sides.
4
Heat about an eighth inch of oil in a large heavy frying pan. When the oil sizzles with a drop of liquid on contact you are ready to cook. Drop the half the mix like cookies into the oil. When golden on one side turn over. Allow plenty of room in the pan. When golden on the other side transfer to paper towels to drain. Cook the rest of the batch.
5
Serve hot with the rest of the dressing, lime wedges, and caper berries as garnish. Sprinkle a bit more aleppo on top if you want more heat. Limeade or a margarita would go really well with these needless to add.

389

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Feel free to swap in similar ingredients you already have on hand and adjust seasoning to taste.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

Saved locally in your browser — visible only to you.

How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 27 ingredients. The key ingredients include: The aioli-like dressing, 1 farm fresh egg yolk, room temperature, 2/3 cup grapeseed oil or equivalent, 1 tablespoon cider or lime vinegar, and more.

Yes, Tequila Lime "Maioli" With Golden Panko Crab Cakes falls under the Seafood category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3–5 days. For longer storage, freeze for up to 3 months — no need to refrigerate or reheat.

That's it — enjoy your meal!