Pecan-Crusted Crab Cakes with Sweet Pepper Sauce

Source: TV Guide Celebrity Dish

Pecan Crusted Crab Cakes:
1/3 cup pecan halves
1 slice firm textured white bread, torn
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 egg yolk
4 ounces (1/4 pound) lump crab meat
1 tablespoon minced chives
1 1/2 tablespoons butter

Sweet Pepper Sauce:
1 large red bell pepper (1/2 pound, coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
Salt and cayenne, to taste

Place pecans and torn bread in a blender or small food processor. Pulse until pecans are finely chopped and bread is crumbly.

In a medium bowl combine mayonnaise, lemon juice, mustard and egg yolk; blend well. Add crab and chives; stir gently to mix, breaking up large lumps. Stir in 6 tablespoons of pecan-bread crumbs.

Place remaining crumbs on a plate. Form crab mixture into 4 cakes, about 2 inches in diameter. Dredge crab cakes in crumbs, pressing gently to help mixture adhere.

In a medium skillet (preferably one that is nonstick), melt butter over a medium-low heat. Add crab cakes, cover pan and saut , turning over once, about 5 minutes total, until they are hot in center and nicely browned on both sides.

To serve, spoon pepper sauce onto 2 salad plates. Place 2 crab cakes on each plate. Garnish with whole chives and lemon wedges

Sweet Pepper Sauce:
Place bell pepper, olive oil, 1 tablespoon vinegar and 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan. Cover and cook over medium heat 20 minutes. Let cool slightly, then puree pepper and any remaining liquid in a blender food processor until as smooth as possible. Season with remaining vinegar, salt and cayenne to taste.

Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Serves 2