We love this recipe as it is not mayonnaise-based as so many crab cake recipes are. This lets the crab flavour shine!

For fresh bread crumbs blitz up soft white, crustless bread in a blender or food processor.  Alternatively you can use Panko breadcrumbs.   

They are super delicate, tender and delicious.  Serve with lemon wedges, or with our homemade tartar sauce!  

Serves 2 as a main course, 4 as an appetizer 

1 lb crab meat (we like this brand) 
¾ cup 35% cream
½ red pepper, finely diced
3 green onions, finely diced
1 cup fresh bread crumbs, divided 
1 tbsp. whole grain mustard
¼ cup parmesan cheese, grated
pinch of cayenne pepper
½ tsp. paprika

kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, as needed
clarified butter, as needed
1 egg, slightly beaten

1. Bring cream to a boil in a small pot.  Reduce by ½ and then chill well.  
2. Lightly sauté the pepper and green onion in a little clarified butter until soft but not brown
3. Combine the crab meat, chilled reduced cream, peppers and onion, half of the breadcrumbs, mustard, parmesan cheese, cayenne, paprika, egg and kosher salt and pepper.  Mix well, but try to keep larger pieces of crab intact. 
4. Divide into equal size portions and press into cakes.
5. Press cakes into remaining ½ cup of breadcrumbs
6. Fry in clarified butter until golden on both sides.
7. Serve with lemon wedges & tartar sauce!  

Bacon & Wild Mushroom Crostini 
Serves 4

Want to get your kids to eat mushrooms?   Or anyone for that matter?  This is the recipe to use!   The revolutionary cooking method uses WATER for the most crispy and caramelized of mushrooms.   If you thought garlic mushrooms involved frying garlic in butter and adding in mushrooms, think again.  This method reverses those flavours to get the most out of the mushrooms first, then shines them up at the end with butter, garlic, shallots & herbs.   And of course we prime the pan at the beginning with some bacon!  

This pan of bacon-y goodness can be served on crostini (which we lightly toast in bacon fat) or is perfect tossed with pasta and a bit of cream, or on top of a steak.  One of our kids just likes to eat a bowlful of this mixture.   

This is your opportunity to try different types of mushrooms, available at specialty stores or your local farmer's market.  Oyster mushrooms come in clumps that you simple tear into manageable sized pieces.  Shiitake mushrooms add a lot of texture with their natural density.  If you can get your hands on lions mane mushrooms, they are a real treat (and check out all the health benefits!)   And of course your portabella (do not skip the technique below!) and cremini are readily available and necessary to carry all the flavours.   

1 large, ripe tomato, diced (remove some of the seeds) 
1-2 green onions, very finely sliced 
1 large clove of fresh, local garlic, finely minced 
Juice of 1 lemon 
2 tbsp. good quality olive oil 
A small handful of fresh basil, torn or roughly chopped

12 Scallops*
Salt, as needed
Oil (neutral), as needed 

*KEY TIP: Purchase a U10 or a 10-20 size FAS (frozen at sea) scallop.  We buy Comeau brand scallops from Nova Scotia at T&J Seafoods in Kitchener. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight.   

1. Make tomato lemon sauce:  In a bowl mix together tomato, green onion, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil & herbs.  Season with a few good pinches of salt.  Set aside at room temperature, make up to a few hours ahead of time.  
2. Place scallops on a paper-towel lined plate.  Remove the abductor muscle (a small, opaque white piece attached to the scallop. Some may not have one).  Season very well with salt (pepper will burn).  
3. Pan-sear scallops: preheat a frying pan over medium-high heat.  For best results, use a stainless steel or aluminum frying pan, not a non-stick.  Preheating the pan (without any oil in it) is key to getting that crust.  Put your hood fan on!  
4. Once your pan is hot (you'll place your hand over top of the pan, and only be able to hold it there for about 5 seconds), drizzle in a neutral oil, 1-2 tsp.
5. Your pan will smoke so act quickly: quickly PLACE (don't drop) your scallops onto the pan.  Allow to cook for about 90 seconds, undisturbed before turning over for a further 60-90 seconds.  Good quality scallops should be served medium to medium-well (i.e. there should be a thin line of translucency in the center of the scallop). 
6. Serve immediately in a shallow dish with tomato lemon sauce, and some warm baguette to mop up all the juices.  Enjoy!