Chesapeake Bay Cocktail Sauce Food

FRIED OYSTERS

Steps:

• For the Tartar Sauce: Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
• Heat oil in a deep fryer to 350°F, in a deep cast iron skillet, or in a Dutch oven over medium heat to a depth of about 2-3 inches, until it reaches 350°F. If you don't have a deep-fry thermometer, sprinkle a few drops of water on the hot oil. If it sizzles, the oil is hot enough.
• Drain the oysters in a colander and pat dry with paper towels. Use a toothpick to poke a small hole in the large round part of each oyster.
• Put the buttermilk in a shallow dish. In a separate shallow dish, combine the cornmeal, flour, salt, Old Bay seasoning and pepper.
• Add the oysters to the buttermilk and soak for a few minutes. Remove the oysters from the buttermilk, gently shake off excess liquid, and dredge in cornmeal mixture to coat on all sides. Shake off excess breading and transfer to a wire rack.
• Working in batches so that you don't overcrowd the pan, fry oysters until golden and crispy, about 2-3 minutes. Drain on paper towels, season with additional salt and pepper (if necessary) while they're still warm, and serve hot with tartar sauce or other dipping sauce.

CHESAPEAKE BAY-STYLE SHRIMP COCKTAIL

Steps:

• To a large saute pan, with a lid, over medium-high heat, add the water and shrimp and cover until cooked, about 5 to 10 minutes. Remove the shrimp with tongs to a medium bowl and let cool. Add the seafood seasoning and toss well to coat the shrimp.
• In a small mixing bowl, add the lemon juice, mayonnaise, ketchup and seafood seasoning. Whisk until incorporated. Divide the cocktail sauce evenly among 6 ramekins.
• Put each ramekin in a slightly larger bowl and divide the shrimp evenly to the inside of the bowls before serving.

CHESAPEAKE BAY CLASSIC CRAB CAKES

Steps:

• Put the egg yolk, seafood seasoning, mustard, lemon zest and juice, and vinegar in the bowl of a food processor or a blender and process until smooth. Gradually pour in the oil with the machine running until the mixture emulsifies and forms a mayonnaise. Season with the salt and pepper. (Note: this quantity of mayonnaise will not emulsify in the bowl of the largest size food processor. Use a medium size food processor, a mini processor, or a blender.)
• Transfer the mayonnaise to a bowl and, using a rubber spatula, fold in the scallions and the crabmeat until well combined. Combine the bread crumbs and the parsley in a shallow container. Form the crab mixture into 8 patties about 3-inches wide and 3/4-inch thick and drop them into the bread crumb-parsley mixture. Dredge the crab cakes on both sides. If you have time, leave the crab cakes in the container of bread crumbs, cover with plastic wrap, and chill for 1 hour or more.
• When you are ready to fry the crab cakes, put 2 large nonstick skillets over medium heat. Add about 2 tablespoons butter to each pan. When the butter is melted, add 4 crab cakes to each pan, patting off excess crumbs first. Slowly fry the crab cakes over medium heat until they are golden brown on both sides and hot through, turning once with a spatula, about 4 minutes per side. If the crab cakes are browning too quickly, reduce the heat. The internal temperature of a cooked crab cake should be 155 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer.
• Transfer the crab cakes to plates, 2 per person, and serve with your choice of sauce and lemon wedges.
• 8 ounces tomatillos, husked and cut into quarters
• 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 teaspoons green hot sauce (recommended: Tabasco)
• 1 teaspoon chopped garlic
• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds, toasted
• 1 teaspoon peeled and grated fresh horseradish
• Put the tomatillos in the bowl of a food processor and process until coarsely pureed. Remove the tomatillo puree to a sieve, drain off the liquid and discard. Put the drained puree in a bowl and stir in the vinegar, sugar, hot sauce, garlic, mustard seeds, and horseradish.

CHESAPEAKE BAY COCKTAIL SAUCE

Steps:

• In food processor, place all ingredients. Cover; process, using quick on-and-off motions, until all ingredients are evenly distributed. Store in refrigerator.

SPICY BEER-STEAMED SHRIMP WITH KICKED UP COCKTAIL SAUCE

Steps:

• In the base pot of a steamer, combine the beer, crab boil, and garlic and bring to a simmer. Put the steamer basket in place.
• In a bowl, toss the shrimp with the Essence. Place the shrimp in the steamer basket, close the lid and steam until the shrimp are firm and cooked through, 5 to 6 minutes, stirring the shrimp once to ensure even cooking.
• Remove the basket with the shrimp and let sit until cool enough to handle. Turn out into a large serving bowl or onto a thick layer of newspapers spread on a table. Serve with the cocktail sauce for dipping.
• Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container.
• Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch. Published by William and Morrow, 1993.
• Mix all ingredients together and whisk well to combine.

OLD BAY COCKTAIL SAUCE

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients in medium bowl until well blended. Cover.
• Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Serve with shrimp cocktail or fried shrimp.