Lion’s Mane Crab-less Cakes

If you love crab cakes, these are going to blow your mind! No lie! Just look at this!

A few weeks ago, I was shopping at the local Farmer’s market and found a vendor who cultivates a variety of mushrooms/ fungi.

There was the coolest mushroom I’ve ever seen and it looked like a McDonald‘s Fry Guy if you remember those from back in the day?

What I had found is called a Lion's Mane mushroom (a.k.a. monkey head), it's a traditional Chinese mushroom believed to have health benefits in brain function, productivity and focus. It's name comes from the obvious, that it's shaggy strands resemble a lion's mane.

Fresh Lion's Mane mushroom

I paid $8 for approximately 4 oz. which is less than crab claw meat averaging $3.44 per ounce ($13.76 for 4 oz.). This recipe yielded 4 decent sized cakes and they were absolutely amazing! They tasted and felt just like a crab cake without the fishy smell or flavor!

If you're interested in growing your own Lion's Mane, click here to learn more about purchasing a kit.

I don't think anyone could possibly notice the difference! These are ridiculously awesome!

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SERVING SIZE - Serves 2 - 4

YIELD: 4 cakes

PREP TIME: 20 min

COOK TIME: 10 min

INGREDIENTS - Measure and prepare all ingredients

1. 4 oz. Shredded Lion's Mane mushrooms

2. 2 oz Panko Japanese bread crumbs

3. 1 oz Small diced onion

4. 1 oz Small diced bell pepper (red, green, or yellow)

5. 3 Tbsp Hellmann's Mayo

6. 1 ea. Egg beaten

7. 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard

8. To taste Salt

9. To taste Pepper

10. As needed Vegetable oil

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Over med-high heat, sweat onion and pepper with 2 tsp. of vegetable oil until onion is translucent. Do not brown. Remove from heat and cool.

2. In a medium bowl, mix Lion's Mane, cooked onion and pepper, mayo, beaten egg, Dijon, panko, salt and pepper as needed. Mix until evenly combined.

3. Divide mixture into four equal portions, form each into round ½ inch patties. If they fall apart too easily, refrigerate for 20 minutes then form.

4. Over med-high heat, add approx 2 Tbsp of vegetable oil to a large saute pan.

5. Carefully add Lion's Mane cakes and cook until golden on bottom. Check frequently with thin spatula, flip and brown other side.

6. Remove from heat, salt as needed.

7. Serve with lemon wedges and/or a red pepper remoulade.

PLEASE MAKE THESE AND COMMENT BELOW WITH YOUR EXPERIENCE!