Chesapeake Crab Ball Food

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 CRAB BALLS

Steps:

• Remove all excess shell from crabmeat
• In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, butter, green onions, old bay seasoning and horseradish. while mixing gradually add crabmeat. Divide mixture into two balls.
• Refrigerate the balls for at least one hour.
• On a piece of waxed paper, mix the parsley and old bay seasoning.
• Remove crab balls from the refrigerator and roll them on the wax paper until they are completely coated.

DUET OF CHESAPEAKE CRAB: CHESAPEAKE JUMBO LUMP CRAB CAKES WITH MUSTARD CREME FRAICHE

Steps:

• To make the crab cakes: Pick through the lump crab for shells (VERY GENTLY).
• In a saucepan over moderate heat, sweat the onion and pepper in the butter. Remove from heat and cool.
• In a stainless bowl mix the egg, mayonnaise, mustards, parsley, cayenne, hot sauce, salt and pepper. Add in onions and peppers and fold in the crabmeat. Form into cakes about 3 inches across by 1 and 1/2 inches thick. Pack firmly, but do not crush the lumps, the cake should just hold together. Dredge on top and bottom in bread crumbs and chill for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator.
• Preheat an oven to 400 degrees F.
• In a saute pan over medium high heat, add 2 tablespoons of the vegetable oil and when hot, saute the crab cakes on 1 side. Do not crowd the pan. Do it in batches if serving several. Add a nut of whole butter to the pan and cook the cakes until brown on the other side. Place in the oven for about 2 to 3 minutes to heat through.
• To make the creme fraiche: Mix all ingredients together and serve at room temperature. This will keep refrigerated for 3 to 4 days.

CHESAPEAKE BAY CRABS

Steps:

• Place about 6 cups of water, the vinegar, and the beer in an 8-gallon stockpot fitted with a raised rack. If you don't have a raised rack, use bricks wrapped in clean cloth to raise your rack about 6 inches off the bottom. It is important that the crabs not get wet while they're being steamed.
• Make a layer of crabs on the rack, and cover them with 1/8 to 3/4 inch of crab seasoning. Bring the liquid to a boil. Once the steam starts to rise through the crabs, cover pot with lid, and steam for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the crabs are bright red. Remove the crabs with tongs or rubber gloves. (Using rubber gloves makes handling easier, preventing you from burning your hands -- and inadvertently dropping any crabs.)

CRAB BALLS

Steps:

• drain and flake meat.
• combine remaining ingredients except bacon, mix well.
• shape into walnut size balls.
• wrap each w/bacon, secure w/toothpicks.
• broil at medium til bacon is crisp, 10 minutes, turn and repeat.

CHESAPEAKE BAY CRAB SALAD

Steps:

• Remove cartilage from crab meat.
• In a bowl, mix mayonnaise, pimiento, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, hot pepper sauce, lemon juice, and celery.
• Blend well.
• Pour over crab meat and toss lightly but evenly.
• Refrigerate.
• Serve in bowl lined with lettuce leaves.
• Garnish with lemon slices and sprinkle with paprika.

CHESAPEAKE CRAB BOIL

Steps:

• Combine the beer, vinegar, Old Bay, and salt in a medium nonreactive bowl; set aside.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large, deep, nonreactive kettle.
• Pile half the crabs on the rack and pour in half the beer mixture; add the remaining crabs and beer mixture.
• Set over med-high heat and bring to a boil; adjust the heat so the liquid bubbles gently, cover tight, and steam the crabs for 20-25 minutes or until they are bright red.
• Serve at once with melted butter and plenty of napkins.
• Don't forget to put out a large bowl to catch the crab shells.