“Crab” Cakes, Seedy Slaw, and Spicy Mama Lil’s Sauce
Yesterday, despite the rain and decidedly un-summery weather, we had a coastal summer spread, complete with plant-based “crab” cakes, seedy coleslaw, roasted potatoes, and a spicy sauce made from hemp seeds and my favorite Mama Lil’s peppers. It was delightful!
“Crab” Cakes
These were based on the Minimalist Baker’s crab cake recipe, which uses garbanzos and jackfruit as the base, along with flax, parsley, capers, celery, and spices. www.minimalistbaker.com/easy-vegan-crab-cakes-gf/
I added hemp hearts to up our omega fats, and I coated them in panko bread crumbs for extra crunch. I also baked ours instead of frying, to make them oil-free. This was a double batch, and it made enough for four plus leftovers.
I wouldn’t say they truly tasted like crab, but they were crunchy, savory, and delicious, particularly when topped with Spicy Mama Lil’s Sauce. I really liked the jackfruit texture when it was shredded and mixed with the crushed garbanzos. My daughter particularly loved these, and we will definitely be adding them to our summer rotation.
Seedy Slaw
I followed Cookie and Kate’s Simple Healthy Coleslaw recipe. www.minimalistbaker.com/easy-vegan-crab-cakes-gf/ I omitted the parsley and the oil, but otherwise made the recipe as written. It was fresh and light, and I particularly loved all the toasted seeds. So pretty! Next time, I might also omit the cumin to let the flavor of the seeds really shine.
Spicy Mama Lil’s Sauce
When our diets were meat-centered, I used to regularly make steak and roasted potatoes. My hub would always make himself “fat sauce” for dipping his potatoes. We called it “fat sauce” because it was a combination of mayo and the oil from Mama Lil’s Kick Butt Peppers. Talk about a heart attack in the making!
I’ve been trying to replicate this sauce for him with healthier ingredients, and I finally mastered it. You can find the recipe here: www.thewell-nourishedbrain.com/blog/spicy-mama-lils-sauce
Overall, this was a great summer meal. It was perhaps not as healthy as our usual plant-based fare, but was still so much better for us than fried crab cakes, mayo-drenched coleslaw, and “fat sauce.”
Sometimes, you just want food reminiscent of old favorites. If you are looking for a lighter and more plant-centered way to have a crab cake bake, give these tasty recipes a try.
Happy Eating!
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