Cucumber Herb Salad:
2 cups cucumber, seeded and julienned
2 teaspoons fresh dill, finely chopped
1 teaspoon fresh tarragon, finely chopped (or 1/4 teaspoon dried tarragon)
1 teaspoon fresh Italian parsley, finely chopped
2 tablespoons lemon juice
3 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
Crab Cakes:
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons hot sauce
1/4 red bell pepper, finely diced
1/4 green bell pepper, finely diced
1/4 yellow bell pepper, finely diced
1 pound jumbo lump crab meat
1 1/2 cups Panko bread crumbs
1 egg, beaten
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
In a medium serving bowl, mix cucumber, herbs, lemon juice and oil until cucumber is completely coated; season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside until ready to serve.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In a large mixing bowl, gently combine all crab cake ingredients except olive oil. Using a 1/4 cup, measure out 16 cakes. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large non-stick saute pan over medium heat. Sear 4 to 6 cakes until golden brown, about 3 to 4 minutes. Turn crab cakes over and sear for an additional 2 minutes. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Repeat with remaining oil and crab cakes. Bake in oven for about 6 to 8 minutes and serve over Cucumber Herb Salad.