I’m turning 35 years old on Sunday and I have very mixed feelings about it. I think it’s a good thing, mostly. I’ve long since moved past the trauma of finding my first grey hairs or noticing a wrinkle here and there. But I really have nothing to complain about. In my wildest dreams I never imagined my 30s could have been so wonderful. I’m married to the most amazing guy and we live in a fantastic neighborhood. I love my job. To say my 30s have been an improvement over my 20s would be the understatement of my life.
However, I’m beginning to feel anxieties about the passage of time and what it means to reach my mid-30s (holy cow it feels weird to write that).Â
Time is a funny thing. The older you get, the faster it goes. Jeff and I have been together for 6 1/2 years and it feels like both a lifetime and the blink of an eye. We’ll see a news story referenced on TV and I’ll say in shock “That was two years ago? How is that even possible?” It worries me. Four years in high school was an eternity. In the 10th grade I was with my first serious boyfriend for 9 months and that felt like the longest time ever. What does that mean for tomorrow? If two years is a passing moment at age 35, how will it feel in another ten years? My family is growing older; my sweet cat is showing signs of age. 35 is a time of complete joy but there’s also anxiety just under the surface. And every year it continues to grow.
I don’t dwell on any of this for very long. Each day I cherish my good fortunes and take on new challenges with vigor. And I push those anxieties away so they don’t overwhelm my thoughts. But they exist, and I know they’re not going away.
Jumbo Lump Crab Cake Sliders
Ingredients
- 16 ounces fresh jumbo lump crab meat
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup regular mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
- 1/8 teaspoon fines herbs
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1-2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- slider buns
- optional: dijon mustard for serving
Instructions
- Set the oven to broil and place the oven rack near the top.
- In a medium sized bowl, gently pick through the crab meat to remove any shells. Try not to break up the lumps.
- In a separate bowl, beat the egg and then whisk in the mayonnaise until well combined.
- Add the breadcrumbs, Old Bay, fines herbs, garlic powder, mustard and Worcestershire sauce, stirring until well combined.
- A little bit at a time, gently fold the wet mixture into the crab meat. This part takes some patience because you really want to avoid breaking up the lump meat.
- Using a kitchen scale, weigh out 3 ounce sliders. Depending on the size of the slider buns you might want to slightly increase or decrease the size.
- Lightly grease the bottom of a baking sheet (baking spray works well) and place the crab cake sliders on the sheet.
- Place a small piece of butter on top of each crab cake.
- Broil for 10-15 minutes, keeping a close eye to make sure they don't burn. Don't flip the cakes, just allow them to cook on one side the entire time (the lack of filler makes them very delicate). If the tops seem like they're going to burn, lower the oven rack or switch the broiler to a lower setting. You're not cooking the meat but you want the filling to solidify and the egg to cook through.
- When the tops are golden brown, remove the pan from the oven and allow the crab cakes to cool slightly before serving.
Please read my full post for additional recipe notes, tips, and serving suggestions!
Nutrition
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Tieghan says
These cakes look awesome!!
Hope you have a great birthday!!
Cayley says
Phew. Good thing I’m only turning 34. Happy birthday, and seriously, focus on the good. Think about where that 10th grade boyfriend (and pretty much everyone else in 10th grade) would have imagined you ending up at 35; you’ve made a great life and should be nothing but proud. And, plus, life’s actually easier when time passes so quickly. Think about how much harder life was in high school; I think the endlessness of the weeks – and the related significance of everything- was a big part of that problem.
Meagan @ A Zesty Bite says
Happy early Birthday! I’m a huge fan of anything crab and I’m digging these sliders.
Alisha @ Gluten Free Perspective says
Happy birthday a day early! I hope 35 is your best year yet.
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
Sadly I’m now allergic to crab but it used to be one of my favorite foods – these sliders look so, so good! I hope you have a wonderful birthday, and the fact that you mentioned your 30s have been better than your 20s is a big encouragement to me :).
Marie @ Little Kitchie says
Happy early birthday Jen!! Oh, and I’ll take a dozen sliders.
Samantha @FerraroKitchen says
Happy early Birthday! I turn 30 in October and hope I can say the same thing you are…that the 30’s are better than 20’s! ha! Keep doin’ your thang and enjoy every.day!
Amy @ What Jew Wanna Eat says
Happy birthday, Jen! I just turned 30 and love it so far. I think it only gets better!
Susan says
Geee you’re making me feel old and I’m only turning 32 this year! Have a fabulous birthday and a great weekend! I think your sliders are a great way to celebrate.
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
These crab cakes look so good!
Have a great birthday on Sunday, Jen! And don’t let the numbers worry you too much…it’s just a number.
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
Happy early birthday, Jen! And trust me, I have the similar feelings about being in the 30s. It’s never going away instead, cherish all the blessings and more good fortunes in the future :)
Yummy sliders!!
Courtney @ Neighborfood says
I feel like things are already going too quickly, and I’m only 26. I mean, kids I babysat are in college. HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE? I don’t have anxiety over it too much, instead it helps me treasure the good times even more, and have hope in the bad times, knowing that eventually they’ll just be a blip on the radar of my life. I don’t know if that was depressing or helpful. If it was depressing, just ignore me and have a happy birthday! :)
Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic says
Have a great birthday!! I’m liking my thirties, too :)
Anastasia says
Funny, I’ve been going through the same emotions when I turned 25. Russians age faster! :-) Happy Birthday!
Kristi says
I looooove crab cakes.