Crab Bites

**WARNING** These are addictive!!

• 1 pd fresh backfin crabmeat, drained, flaked - make sure all shell is removed
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise - no substitutes!
• 1 large egg
• 2 tbl finely chopped EACH, onion AND red bell pepper, AND celery
• 1 tbl. lemon juice, fresh
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp. minced garlic
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp dry mustard
• 1/4 - 1/3 cup fine, dry bread crumbs
• 2/3 cup commercial cracker meal
• vegetable oil for frying

Combine crabmeat and next 10 ingredients in a large bowl. (up to dry mustard) Stir in dry breadcrumbs until crabmeat mixture holds shape when formed into a ball. Shape crabmeat mixture into balls using about 1 tbl. mixture per ball, and coat each ball evenly with cracker meal. Fry a few at a time 2 minutes, or until golden. Makes 3 dozen.