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Saturday, June 1, 2013

Crab Cake Quesadillas

Crab cakes, deconstructed and stuffed inside a quesadilla, topped with red pepper aioli dipping sauce. Quite possibly the best quesadilla you'll ever eat.


If it were up to me, I'd probably eat crab cakes every day. Or at least every week....! I'm a HUGE crab  fan....and, come to think of it, I've loved it ever since I was a kid! When most kids were probably asking for lasagna or cheeseburgers for their special birthday meal, my request was for steak and crab legs (or, to be clear, imitation crab sticks.....which, by the way, I still love :)



My love affair with crab reached an all-new high when Jorden and I honeymooned in Florida and were surrounded by all-you-can-eat crab leg specials. We definitely indulged daily...to the point where I was actually starting to get sick of all things crab. Of course, that didn't stop me from ordering up another round of crab legs....(just like nothing was ever able to stop me from ordering yet another piece of key lime pie....my other Florida weakness!)


And then....when our honeymoon was over, suddenly the crab-loving side of me was left behind. NOT because I had eaten too much and was sick of it, but because it was too expensive anywhere we went and I was too afraid to make it on my own! So for years I resorted to imitation crab to get my fix (which, by the way, is still delicious in my book). But I thought it might finally be time for me to pull out the stops and make myself some REAL crab.....(and by real, I mean from a can). Ha!


These crab cake quesadillas have all the flavors of crab cakes....but for some reason, not having to form them and fry them feels like a lot less work! So in the time and effort you save, you can.....make yourself a key lime pie!? Or maybe just have a strawberry colada....yes, I had a lot of weaknesses in Florida :)


Crab Cake Quesadillas
6 (8 in.) flour tortillas
2 (6 oz.) cans crab meat
1/2 yellow pepper, chopped
1/2 red pepper, chopped
1/2 poblano pepper, chopped
1 jalapeno, minced (seeds removed for less heat)
1/2 c. cilantro, chopped
1 tsp. Old Bay seafood seasoning
2-3 c. shredded monterey jack cheese (depending on desired level of cheesiness)
olive oil

1. Mix crab, peppers, cilantro, and seasoning together in a small bowl.
2. Heat a small amount of olive oil in a medium frying pan over medium heat. Place one tortilla in heated oil, top with 1/3 of cheese and approx. 1 cup of seafood mixture. 
3. Once cheese is melted and tortilla is golden brown, place another tortilla on top and flip the quesadilla to brown the other side.

Red Pepper Aioli 
1/2 c. mayonnaise
2 Tbsp. cilantro, chopped
1/4 c. jarred roasted bell peppers
1 garlic clove, minced
squirt lemon juice, to taste

Blend all ingredients in a food processor until smooth.


Enjoy!

Looking for another fun quesadilla option? Check out my Cheesecake Sopadillas!




Thanks for taking a peek inside my Lemon Tree Dwelling...
I hope you feel right at home!
-Cathy 

20 comments :

  1. That sounds and looks absolutely delicious! Great idea :)

    Happy Blogging!
    Happy Valley Chow

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  2. This is the best quesadilla I've ever seen. I love crab cakes! Crab and scallops (both bay and sea) are my FAVORITE types of seafood! And I too like the imitation crab! Pinned. :)

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  3. Oh my, this looks so amazing. I'm going to have to try this out... I LOVE crab.

    Wishing you a lovely day!

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  4. Hi I love crab cakes too. This recipe looks like a winner! I saw it on life on lakeshore drive.
    Julie from julieslifestyle.blogspot.com

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  5. I love how you make some of your recipes with a mexican flair! This looks so yummy and perfect for Summertime fun! Hope you are off to a great week - BTW how was the wedding? Hope you enjoyed a night without the kiddos!

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  6. Anything with the words crab cakes in it I love. Pinning and cannot wait to try it.

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  7. Those look SO amazing!! And key lime pie sounds like it would pair perfectly :) Pinning this, I want to try it!
    Heidi @ handmadefrenzy.blogspot.com

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  8. Sounds delish and easy to make. Thanks for sharing, I came over from the In and Out of the Kitchen party.
    Lizy @ http://justdipitinchocolate.blogspot.com/

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  9. These sound amazing! Pinning for later!

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  10. This sounds so good! I think I'll have to try it. Quesadillas are a favorite around here, but I've never put crab in them. The red pepper aoili sounds delicious too.

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  11. You are after my heart! This sounds fabulous!

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  12. Yummy in my tummy! Stopping by from Wednesday Whatsits.

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  13. Your pics just get better and better Cathy - gorgeous! I am totally making these - SOON! They look incredible! Pinned :)

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  14. YUUUUUMMM!!! I am starving right now and these look so delicious!!!

    ~Jen

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  15. HOLY OMG. My favorite meal is a crab cake. My husband begs me to make them sometimes. In a quesadilla? SO making...

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  16. That has my mouth watering! The combination of flavors sound amazing ... and the sauce is the clincher. I pinned! I can't wait to try it!

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  17. Hi Cathy! I hopped over from 36th Avenue. My husband would LOVE these. Two of his favorite things (crab cakes and quesadillas!) Hope you have a great weekend!

    We would love for you to link this up with us at Living Well Spending Less! You can link up any of your thrifty projects each Thursday - we would love to have you join us! http://www.livingwellspendingless.com/category/thrifty-thursday/

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  18. Oh my goodness these sound amazing!!!! I'm your newest follower, love your blog!!! :)

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  19. These sound delicious! I'm going to try to make them next week.My husband loves crab cakes but we've never had crab cake quesadillas!

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