The Perfect Valentine’s Day Menu: Crab Cakes and Sparkling Wine

Valentine’s Day Crab Cakes

These crab cakes are all about letting the crab shine—minimal filler, maximum flavor. They’re rich, lightly crisped on the outside, and perfect for a romantic dinner for two or a cozy double date at home.

Ingredients

• 1 pound fresh lump crabmeat, picked over for cartilage

• 1 egg

• 1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper (optional)

• 1/2 cup chopped scallion (optional)

• 1/4 cup mayonnaise

• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

• 2 tablespoons bread crumbs, preferably fresh (or cracker crumbs, as needed)

• About 1 cup all-purpose flour for dredging

• Curry powder (optional)

• 2 tablespoons peanut, extra virgin olive, or vegetable oil

• 2 tablespoons butter (or more oil)

• Lemon wedges and/or tartar sauce, for serving

Instructions

1. Gently mix the crabmeat, egg, bell pepper, scallion, mayonnaise, mustard, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Add just enough bread crumbs to bind the mixture—start with 2 tablespoons and add more only if needed.

2. Chill the mixture until ready to cook (30 minutes makes shaping easier, but optional).

3. Season the flour with salt, pepper, and a touch of curry powder if you like. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil and butter and heat until the butter foam subsides.

4. Shape the mixture into 1-inch-thick cakes, lightly dredge in flour, and cook gently, turning once, until golden brown on both sides—about 5 minutes per side.

5. Serve warm with lemon wedges and/or tartar sauce.

Sparkling Wine Pairings We Love

No Valentine’s dinner is complete without bubbles. These three sparkling wines pair beautifully with crab cakes, offering something for every mood—and every budget.

• Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Cava
  Crisp and refreshing with notes of green apple and citrus, this Cava is an easy, everyday pairing that balances the richness of the crab without overpowering it.

• Langlois Crémant de Loire Brut Réserve
  Elegant and softly textured with hints of pear and brioche, this Crémant brings a refined, dinner-party feel that complements the buttery interior of the crab cakes.

• Billecart-Salmon Brut Blanc de Blancs NV (Splurge)
  Bright, mineral-driven, and impeccably balanced, this Champagne elevates the dish into true occasion territory—perfect for a Valentine’s Day worth remembering.

Love Is in the Details

Valentine’s Day is really about the little things—the dishes you choose, the bottle you open, the way the table is set. Thoughtful food, beautiful objects, and time well spent are always in style.

Here’s to cooking something special, pouring something bubbly, and celebrating love in all its forms—romantic, platonic, and everything in between.

Cheers to a Valentine’s Day done the CapaBunga way. 💕🥂