—-BASIL MAYONNAISE—-
    40    Basil leaves
 1 1/2 c  Mayonnaise
     2 ts Dijon mustard
     2 ts Lemon juice
   1/4 ts Cayenne pepper
          ——-CRAB CAKES——-
     2 tb Olive oil
     2    Stalks celery; finely
          -chopped
   2/3 c  Onion; finely chopped
     1 lb Lump crabmeat; picked clean
 2 2/3 c  Dry bread crumbs
   1/4 c  Chopped chives
     2 tb Chopped parsley
     6 tb Flour
     3 lg Eggs
     2 tb Vegetable oil
 FOR BASIL MAYONNAISE: Blanch basil leaves in saucepan of boiling
 water for 30 seconds. Drain. Transfer leaves to medium bowl filled
 with ice water to cool. Pat dry on paper towels. Finely chop basil.
 Mix mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice, and cayenne together. Set aside
 1/2 cup mayonnaise for the crab cakes. Mix basil into remainder and
 refrigerate.
 FOR CRAB CAKES: Heat olive oil in large heavy skillet over medium
 heat. Add celery and onion and saute until tender, about 5 minutes.
 Transfer to a large bowl. Stir in crabmeat, 2/3 cup breadcrumbs,
 chopped chives, and reserved mayonnaise.  Season to taste with salt
 and pepper. Using 1/3 cup for each, form into twelve 2 1/2″ cakes.
 Arrange cakes on a baking sheet.
 Place flour in a small bowl.  Whisk eggs in another bowl. Place
 remaining 2 cups breadcrumbs in a third bowl. Bread each cake in the
 following order: flour, eggs, then breadcrumbs. Heat 1 tablespoon oil
 in large skillet over medium heat.  Add crab cakes in batches,
 cooking until golden, adding more oil as required. Serve with basil
 mayonnaise.
 Per serving: 667 Calories; 57g Fat (76% calories from fat); 20g
 Protein; 20g Carbohydrate; 182mg Cholesterol; 687mg Sodium
 From the MM database of Judi M. Phelps. jphelps@shell.portal.com or
 jphelps@best.com
                
                 Yields       
                6 Servings                
