Malabar Crab Cakes with Panch Puran Chutney and Mango Slaw

This is a recipe I pulled out of the August 2005 issue of the Oprah Magazine.  Sounds delicious, but the page got lost in a drawer and we haven’t tried it yet.  They said it’s a twist on the classic crab cake with the best qualities of two vibrant cultures, Indian and Latin American.

Let us know if you try it before we do!  Make 8 appetizers or 4 entrees.

INGREDIENTS Panch Puran chutney 1 teaspoon canola or olive oil 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds 1/2 teaspoon fenugreek seeds 1/2 teaspoon kalunji seeds (nigella), available from kalustyans.com 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds 2 large ripe tomatoes , chopped 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 2 teaspoons cider vinegar 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne) Crab cakes 1 pound jumbo lump crabmeat , picked over 1/2 cup finely grated fresh coconut 1/3 cup dry breadcrumbs 2 large eggs , lightly beaten 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro 1 teaspoon Sambar powder (available from kalustyans.com) or curry powder 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice 1/2 teaspoon finely grated ginger 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic 1/2 teaspoon minced jalapeno 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne) 3 tablespoons canola or olive oil Cilantro sprigs, for garnish Lime wedges, for garnish

Mango slaw 1 green mango , peeled, pitted and julienned 2 fresh curry leaves , finely chopped 1 teaspoon finely chopped red bell pepper 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice 1/2 teaspoon finely chopped cilantro 1/4 teaspoon finely grated ginger 1/4 teaspoon minced jalapeno 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon sugar

DIRECTIONS

1. To make chutney: Heat oil in a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add cumin, fennel, fenugreek, kalunji, and mustard seeds. Cook 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until seeds begin to crackle. Add tomatoes, brown sugar, vinegar, salt, and ground red pepper. Bring mixture to a simmer for about 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chutney thickens. Turn chutney into a bowl and let cool.
2. To make slaw: In a medium bowl, stir all ingredients until blended.
3. To make crab cakes: In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except oil and garnishes; toss gently to combine. Shape mixture by scant 1/2 cupfuls into 8 cakes, about 2 1/2 inches in diameter; place cakes on a cookie sheet and refrigerate 15 minutes.
4. In a large nonstick skillet, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium-high heat. Handling crab cakes gently, place as many in the skillet as possible. Cook 3 to 4 minutes per side, until browned, turning gently with a spatula. Remove cakes from skillet and place on a cookie sheet; keep warm in an oven set on low. Repeat with remaining oil and crab cakes.
5. To serve, spoon slaw onto plates, top with crab cakes, and spoon on chutney. Garnish with cilantro sprigs and lime wedges.