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Vegan “Crab” Cakes – Gluten-free and Oil-free!

Makes 8 vegan “crab” cakes. Great as individual snacks, appetizers, or offer two as a main course. Serve these vegan “crab” cakes hot with vegan tartar sauce, lemon wedge, and chopped red onion if desired.

Ingredients

• 1 15 oz can garbanzo beans (chickpeas), drained and rinsed, or 1 1/2 cups 
• 1 14 oz can or jar hearts of palm, drained
• 1 13 oz can or jar artichoke hearts, drained
• 1/2 red onion, chopped. Make extra as a garnish if desired
• 1 handful fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
• 1 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Old Bay Seasoning, or any seafood seasoning, or 1 teaspoon celery salt seed
• 1 clove garlic, chopped
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Pinch of chili flakes for heat, if desired
• 2 teaspoons kelp or kombu or Dulce granules (or 4 small sheets of dried seaweed, crushed)
• 1 1/4 cup whole grain bread crumbs, divided, use gluten-free if necessary

Instructions

Place the garbanzo beans, heart of palm, artichoke hearts, and onion into a food processor and pulse to chop coarsely, to a crab-like consistency. Put into a bowl gently fold in the rest of the ingredients including a generous 1/2 cup of the bread crumbs. 

Place a piece of parchment or wax paper on a cookie sheet and scatter about 1/3 cup of the bread crumbs in 8 circles. 

Using a scant 1/2 cup of the mixture, form a ball and put on the cookie sheet over a circle of crumbs.  Press to form a round patty approximately 3 ½” across.  Sprinkle the top with the rest of the bread crumbs. At this point, if you have the time, it is best to refrigerate or put the pan of crab cakes in the freezer for about 20 to firm up a bit. 

Heat a high-quality nonstick skillet or griddle. You may wipe the pan with a paper towel sprayed with oil if desired.  Cook over medium heat until golden brown on each side, approximately 4-6 minutes per side. Raise the heat a bit if it takes longer than this per side.

Vegan Tartar Sauce

• 1 12 oz package silken tofu                                                              
• 1 teaspoon dried dill, or 1 tablespoon fresh 2-3 teaspoons pickle relish, based on taste                                  
• 1-2 tablespoons lemon juice, based on taste 
• 1-2 teaspoons Dijon mustard, based on taste
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt if desired

Mix all tartar sauce ingredients in a blender or processor until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to use on crab cakes or any savory dish.

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By Lifestyle Medical Lifestyle Medical is a primary care practice with a mission to ignite hope for a healthy, flourishing life. We are dedicated to empowering you to make healthier lifestyle choices, so you can reduce medications, restore energy and regain freedom from chronic diseases.