If Only I Could Cook!

A part of my sales & marketing job includes doing promotional cooking segments on the local television morning news programs. This usually entails getting up very early in the morning, schlepping various ingredients and accoutrements to a television studio, and finally whipping something up live on the air while making chatty small talk with a weatherman. I can't say I enjoy it and am always extremely relieved when it is over. I never tell anyone (not even my mother) that "I'm going to be on TV" because I'm hoping no one I know recognizes me, especially with the rear view mirror make-up job I'm usually wearing.
All this aside, I've come to depend on the ever reliable Crab Cake recipe (below). It's got enough ingredients to look like I'm actually cooking something. I can throw it all into one bowl. And it cooks up after a few minutes in a pan, just in time for the perky morning anchor to say, "Yum!" Thought I'd share it with all of you and who knows...if I learn to cook...

CRAB CAKES
  • 1 lb. Jumbo Lump Crabmeat
  • 1 Cup Seasoned Bread Crumbs
  • 1 Tbsp. Parsley
  • 2 Tbsp. Mayonnaise
  • 1 tsp. Dijon Mustard
  • 1 Whole Egg, beaten
  • 1/2 tsp. Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1/4 tsp. Tabasco Sauce
  • Butter for Pan
  • Directions: Drain crabmeat of all excess liquid and place in a bowl. Add breadcrumbs and toss to distribute evenly. Add remaining ingredients to crabmeat mixture. Mix gently to combine all ingredients. Divide evenly into six portions and form into balls. Flatten slightly to 1” thick - but do not make perfectly flat. Place portioned crab cakes on a non-stick saute pan, slightly oiled with butter. Cook on first side approx. 3 minutes on medium heat, flip and finish cooking until outside is a golden brown. Place crab cakes on plate & garnish with lemon & tartar sauce. Enjoy!

    A little more about me...

    25 comments:

    Laura @ the shorehouse. said...

    This sounds like a deliciously simple dish. Yummo. :-)

    And I think it’s fantastic that you have the local TV gig, but totally hear you…I’d not tell anyone either. I’m happier being Oz behind the curtains.

    SandraRee said...

    Get out! Really? You do this? I think it's fantastic! And look how pretty you are, I bet you're good at it even though you say you don't enjoy it. I've always wanted to be a DJ and listen to music all day long and talk, now that's a dream job. lol

    The Crab Cake recipe is a keeper, I'm printing it out as I type! :D

    Melissa said...

    Marie Louise,

    Look at you shine. I can't cook either.

    I am very impressed and the recipe sounds wonderful.

    Melissa
    Sunbonnet Cottage

    Robin said...

    Do not believe her! I've had dinner at her house plenty of times and she can cook. Although she has never made me these crab cakes...

    And she pours a mean glass of wine!

    Oliveaux said...

    Wow...this is fabulous! You should be so proud of yourself!! Amanda

    lotta said...

    You look very stylish cooking. I can't even imagine the stress of doing anything on tv... Very impressive! And I am sure you can whip up a gourmet meal in real life as well. Cheers.

    One Shabby Old House said...

    Yum! Those crab cakes look so good.
    About the pancakes you saw in my blog. I got them at McDonald's and then cut them out with a heart shaped cutter.
    Don't tell anybody!
    It is called staging while keeping your kitchen clean lol
    Thanks for stopping by.
    Becky
    Laceandlures.blogspot.com

    Fifi Flowers said...

    WOW... I didn't know you were a CELEBRITY! Look at you all professional cook like! Maybe you ought to be a little more quiet about not knowing how to cook... you could be the NEXT RR!

    Aah... my cafe creme... who know what number that cup was! :)

    N said...

    Hello, famous!

    I'm so trying the recipe. But if you've read any of my cooking posts...you'll know I'll probably wind up changing something.

    Thanks for the recipe...it looks great and you do too.

    pve design said...

    same sort of crab recipe here - also love to make salmon croquettes which my mother taught me to make. salmon is so much more economical. one "secret ingredient to add to the mayo sauce afterward is katsup and a splash of bourbon. it gives a kick to the meal...not advised to drink and dish on tv so try that home!
    must admit - you certainly hold a flame to giadda, to rachael and to any "cook" even if you think you are a "flicker"

    Simplement ... said...

    Quelle bonne idée la page de traduction simultanée !
    Alors comme ça je dialogue avec une star de la télé (rire) !
    J'aime ton univers, et j'adore le visiter.
    Bisous et belle journée.
    Marie-Ange

    Marie Louise said...

    Thanks for writing everyone. My most fearful moment doing one of these television things was when I "demonstrated" the proper way to open a bottle of champagne (without having it explode). I hadn't personally opened one myself in over a decade and was more than nervous doing it live on the air. Thankfully, all went well.

    Anonymous said...

    good for you! i'd be so nervous, do you get nervous? we went through a phase when my daughter was a toddler and all she would eat were crab cakes. i used to drive down to flanders fish market to stock up...

    thank you for your really nice comment on my blog AND for the great write up about the market! winter was so excited, she posted the link in an email to all the farmers and vendors. it was very kind of you. :)
    heather
    beautythatmoves

    littlebyrd said...

    Laughing about you not telling even your Mom you'll be on TV - That would be me too! From the pictures though I'd say you are probably a natural at it. Very nice!

    Unknown said...

    Thank you for visiting my blog! Yours is chock full of lovely things...

    I will be back!

    annie

    Melissa said...

    Those look divine! You take amazing pictures~I felt like I went to the farmers market with you! Thanks for stopping by~
    Melissa

    heidi said...

    hey, you're famous! And those crabby cakes look faboo!!!!!

    Larry said...
    This comment has been removed by the author.
    Larry said...

    Cool-you're a television star! I love crabcakes-maybe my wife will cook them for me.-sorry about the delete.

    Pratishtha Durga said...

    Hmm... I had to do a series of cookery shows for online TV. It's stressful, I can vouch for that. But well, you make the recipe sound so easy. i think i will try this one for sure.

    katiedid said...

    OMG! You look fabulous and so do the crab cakes. You can't fool me with that "I can't cook" line. ;)

    Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

    I had no idea you were a television star. How fun. I was interviewed on a local cable channel once and was a nervous wreck. I didn't tell anyone I knew I was on, either!

    These looks yummy. Thanks for the recipe! -Julia

    Courtney said...

    this is so great!! You look adorable and yes, I'd be impressed with your crab cake skills. ...and I think you'd put Rachel Ray to shame.

    DeniseinVA said...

    Hello there, what a fun post and I think it is wonderful that you are on TV, your mother would be very proud, even though I am sure she is proud of you on all fronts. You really do look a natural at this sort of thing. Thanks also for the super recipe. Can't wait to give this one a try. Your other posts are great and I enjoy all the photos that go with them. Thanks also for stopping by and have a great weekend. I will be back often.

    Lallee said...

    Cooking on TV--now that would be very scary to me! You looked like a pro in the picture. Thank you for sharing the recipe. It sounds....and looks very yummy!

    "It's never too late to be who you might have been." --George Eliot