Mini Asian Crab Cakes

Ingredients

• 8 ounces jumbo lump crabmeat, picked over
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise, plus 3 tablespoons, for garnish
• 2 scallions, trimmed and finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons wasabi paste
• 1 teaspoon finely grated lime zest
• 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons plain breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup sesame seeds
• 2/3 cup vegetable oil, plus more if needed
• 1 English cucumber, for garnish
• 1/2 cup drained pickled ginger, for garnish
• 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Directions

• 1.

  Flake crabmeat with a fork in a medium bowl; stir in 1/4 cup mayonnaise, scallions, soy sauce, 1/2 teaspoon wasabi, and zest. Stir in 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs. Cover with plastic wrap; chill 1 hour.

• 2.

  In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and pepper; set aside. In a small bowl, beat eggs with 1 tablespoon water; set aside. In a shallow bowl, stir together sesame seeds and remaining 1/2 cup breadcrumbs.

• 3.

  Form one scant tablespoon crab mixture into a ball; dip in seasoned flour. Flatten into a 3/4-inch high cake about 1 1/4 inches in diameter. Repeat with remaining crab mixture. Dip cakes in egg mixture, then roll in breadcrumb mixture.

• 4.

  Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat until hot but not smoking. Add half the crab cakes; cook, turning once, until golden and crisp on both sides, about 1 1/2 minutes. Using a slotted spatula, transfer to paper towel-lined plates to drain. Repeat with the remaining cakes, adding more oil if needed. Let cool completely.

• 5.

  Transfer crab cakes to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze (uncovered) until firm, about 1 hour. Transfer to an airtight container; freeze until ready to use, up to 6 weeks.

• 6.

  To serve, preheat oven to 425 degrees. Place the crab cakes on an ungreased baking sheet, and bake until heated through, 10 to 14 minutes.

• 7.

  Meanwhile, stir together remaining 3 tablespoons mayonnaise and 1 1/2 teaspoons wasabi. Using a vegetable peeler, make 24 (2-by-3/4-inch) ribbons from cucumber; fold each ribbon into thirds.

• 8.

  Dot each crab cake with 1/2 teaspoon wasabi mayonnaise; top with a slice of cucumber and a slice of ginger.