Spicy "Krab Kakes"

Spicy "Krab Kakes" - for those of you who are not able to eat shell-fish, this dish is a great replacement for traditional crab cakes. Packed with tons of flavor and spice, these may be your go-to cakes for dinners, parties and anything in-between. Enjoy!

Ingredients:
- 1 lb. package "imitation crab meat"
- 1/4 onion,
- 1/4 orange bell pepper
- 1/4 red bell pepper
- 1/4 yellow bell pepper
- 1 cerrano pepper
- 1 habanero pepper
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp Shiracha Sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tsp hot sauce
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- vegetable oil

To Make:

Combine onion, all bell peppers, cerrano and habanero pepper, salt, pepper, shiracha, garlic powder, honey and hot sauce in a food processor. Pulse 6-7 times while adding the olive oil slowly through the top.

Next, add in the "crab meat" and pulse another 4 times. Remove mixture from food processor. Stir in one egg and panko crumbs.

Heat a large skillet and fill with 1 cup vegetable oil. Form the cakes with your hands, pressing firmly together making them about 3 inches around.

Fry for 3-4 minutes until golden brown, then drain.

I served these with Yucca fries and salad. Enjoy!

Crab Creole

This dish was shared with me by my dear friend Ashley Ball and it was made for her by her amazing grandmother who we call, Gran. Ashley shared this dish with me and I made my version below. It's really delicious, thanks Gran and Ash!!!!


Ingredients:
- 3 cups imitation crab meat
- 1 cup finely chopped onion
- 1/2 cup finely chopped green pepper
- 1/2 cup finely chopped celery
- 8 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 can petite diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/2 cup water
- olive oil
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons of Tabasco
- 2 tbsp. dried parsley flakes
- 1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes
- salt
- pepper


To Make:
Saute the veggies in olive oil in a large pan for 3-4 minutes on medium high heat. Season with salt and pepper. Add in the crab meat. Mix together.

Add in the tomatoes and the tomato paste and the water. Mix together. Add the bay leaves and the rest of the spices, soy sauce and Tabasco sauce. Season with salt and pepper.

Cover and cook on the stove about 10-15 minutes until the veggies are tender. Break up the crab meat into smaller pieces. Continue monitoring this on the stove and mixing together. Test to make sure it has enough spices.

Before serving, remove the bay leaves.

Serve over top of white or brown rice.