Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, onion, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, dry mustard, salt and cayenne.
  2. Fold in crabmeat and 1/4 cup of cracker crumbs.
  3. Shape mixture into 16 cakes about 1" thick. Coat crab cakes with remaining cracker crumbs and transfer to a baking sheet lined with waxed paper.
  4. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight to "set" cakes.
  5. *About 10 minutes before cooking cakes,* MAKE SAUCE.
  6. Heat oil in small heavy sauce pan over medium-low heat.
  7. Add chives and garlic; sauté until tender, about 3 minutes.
  8. Add chili sauce and stir 1 minute. Immediately, add cream, wine and lime juice. Simmer until sauce is slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.
  9. Remove from heat, cover and keep warm over hot water.
  10. MAKE CRAB CAKES:(Handle crab cakes gently with wide-thin metal spatual, for best results).
  11. When ready to serve:
  12. In cast iron skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter in 2 tablespoons of oil.
  13. When foam subsides, add half crab cakes and cook over moderate heat until golden and crisp, 2-3 minutes per side.
  14. Drain crab cakes on paper towels; then keep warm in a low oven.
  15. Repeat with remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and 2 tablespoons of oil and cook the remaining crab cakes.
  16. Serve with lemon wedges and Garlic-Chili Sauce.