Crab cakes with a side of Buttered Orzo

Another pick from my Best BFF Malina's Malina Monday. A day where all dishes are picks from Malina because its her birthday!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MALINA!!!!!!!!!!! So I asked what her favorite dinner would be and she picked crab cakes and orzo. When we were kids(we still do a lot) we were on a competitive travel volleyball team. We were very good not to brag. I was short but I was good! We were on the same team so we would carpool. One day I went to her house like a half an hour and she was eating dinner. She had orzo. A few weeks later we had a sleepover. I ate dinner at her house and they made orzo. So I figured since I have seen it at their house a few times they most like it. Me and Malina have been Best friends since we were like 3. We like the same foods. So I tried it and I LOVED it!!!!!! I ate so much. I must of had 4 full bowls of it! It was amazing!!!!! So when ever I went to their house early before volleyball, I would pray that they would be eating it for dinner! I would walk in the door and be like" it smells good in here, did you have orzo for dinner" Then if she answered yes, I would run to the kitchen get a bowl and fork and eat. If not I would be sad. We were are still are, as close as friends can get so I didn't really hesitate to do this. We both grew up in Laurel Maryland outside if Baltimore. I used to go u to Annapolis a lot so we were used to good crab cakes. I only order crab cakes in Baltimore and Annapolis. I never order it in Florda or California. Anyway not the point, I know good crab cakes and these are higher then the bar. WAY higher. I'm loving it!!!!!!!!

So lets talk about birthdays a little bit. After all the reason I am putting this up is for Malina's birthday.I love birthdays!!!!!! There are presents,cake, a ton of goodies and good foods,balloons, and a bunch of good stuff!

Isn't that cute? I love that! I love how the happy birthday gets bigger. It wraps up the whole birthday feel don't you  agree? The cake and the presents the balloons! It makes me so happy when I see it.Hold on let me find another one.....

This one is really cool too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would write just normal on the left hand side but I can't find out how to with this long of a picture. When I type its going backwards!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!This is annoying.Aw-well. Anyway! Lets get back to talking food !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well Actually, I have to go! I just texted Malina to ask what her favorite lunch is since I forgot that before! So now I have another dish to put on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This dose not sound like a lot but I have work today. Actually we are going on a field trip. So bye!!!!!!

Prep-15 minutes

Cook- 30 minutes

Ready in 45 minutes

 Ingredients for crab cakes- 

4 pounds crabmeat 

1 egg 

1 tablespoon lemon zest 

1/8 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning  

2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped

1 cup saltine crackers, crushed  

1 cup mayonnaise

4 tablespoons vegetable oil 

Salt and Pepper

1 3/4 cups vegetable oil 

Directions- 

In a large mixing bowl, combine crabmeat, 1 egg, lemon zest, Old Bay Seasoning, chopped basil, crushed crackers, salt,pepper, and mayonnaise. Mix thoroughly. 

Form crab patties out of the crab mixture and chill until cold before cooking. 

In a skillet, heat 4 tablespoons of oil over medium heat. Saute the crab patties for 4 minutes on each side ,until golden brown.

Ingredients for orzo-

 garlic powder

salt and pepper 

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup butter

1 cup uncooked, orzo pasta

1 cup water

Directions- 

Melt 1/2 the butter in a skillet over medium heat.  and cook until golden brown. Mix in orzo, and remaining butter. Cook and stir 5 minutes, until butter is melted 

Pour water  into the skillet, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low. Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook 7 to 10 minutes, Stir in Parmesan cheese

serve with crab cakes