Even if you’re a devoted fan of crab cakes, you might be surprised to learn that Louisiana has its own particular style. With crab cake season back on, there’s no time like the present to discover all you can about the different types of crab cakes that are found throughout the country. How is it different from Maryland’s iconic dish?
In Maryland and Baltimore
Maryland and Baltimore, in particular, are especially proud of the way they make their crab cakes. However, this is not exclusive to one side of the Chesapeake Bay. People all along the Eastern Shore have their own family recipes that they adore. Ultimately, it comes down to the tastes of the consumer, and you can be sure that everyone has their own way to cook crabs, even if they don’t form them into traditional-looking crab cakes. Blue crabs are the most bountiful around the Chesapeake Bay, and the only real requirement for Maryland-style crab cakes is that they contain meat from blue crabs.
Two Styles of Crab Cake
When it comes to Maryland-style crab cakes, two predominant types are the most well-known. These are the boardwalk style and restaurant style. The restaurant style is also known as the gourmet style and does not rely on breading; at the very least, it’s not supposed to. Instead, they are broiled over open flames or cooked in a buttered pan. Fillers are eschewed, and bigger bits of meat are used in these cakes. This also means that the meat isn’t shredded before the cakes are prepared.
The boardwalk style, on the other hand, uses egg and bread crumbs. It also comes with a lot more seasoning than its gourmet counterpart. Breading is added before the crab cakes are fried.
Louisiana’s Crab Cakes
Louisiana’s crab cakes, on the other hand, are a bit different. Flour is added before the egg wash and breading stage. Cajun spices and hot sauces are also added. However, they are pan cooked in oil instead of butter, but here is one significant similarity: this style also relies on blue crabs.
YOUR SEAFOOD DESTINATION
Costas Inn has been a Baltimore tradition since 1971. You may recognize our restaurant, which was recently featured on the Food Network with Michael Symon on Burgers, Brew, and ‘Que! We were also voted the 2015 #1 Baltimore Seafood Restaurant by USA Today, as well as #1 Crab Restaurant 2014 in the Baltimore Business Journal. You may have also spotted Costas Inn during one of our 9 appearances on the Today Show or heard one of our many interviews on WJZ TV Channel 13 with Ron Matz and Marty Bass.
You can enjoy our famous crab cakes in-house or order them online for any time eating. We also provide some of the best seafood catering in the Baltimore area! You can also get your fill from Costas even when you’re not in our dining room: follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and YouTube!
Tags: crab cakes, fun facts, styles of crab cake