Tag: old bay

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Maryland Blue Crab Links

All you ever wanted to know about Maryland Blue crabs & Steamed Crabs. Well, almost…

Check out these links. They will open in a new screen window so you can return to South Baltimore by closing the “new” window.

Crab Claw Open Vertical
Open Crab Claw

Blue Crab dot info – The Blue Crab Archives.

Old Bay – Seafood seasoning – of course.

Blue Crab – Blue Crabs are the most valuable fishery in the Chesapeake Bay – and other “tidbits” of techie information from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – NOAA.

Callinectes sapidus – This “Savory Beautiful Swimmer” is shown in a variety of cool photographs at the National Geographic website.

Maryland State Crustacean – The Maryland Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus Rathbun) is officially the Maryland State Crustacean.

How to pick and enjoy steamed crabs – Our very own…Step-by-step instructions with photos.

The Crab Place – Our merchant affiliate is, of course, the best place to buy crabs and related seafood online. However, in addition to selling seafood, their website also contains recipes and a wealth of information about seafood and related products.

Baltimore Maryland Steamed Crabs
Baltimore, Maryland Steamed Crabs
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Recipe: Maryland Style Steamed Shrimp

Do-It-Yourself has never tasted so good as with this quick and easy recipe for steaming shrimp – in the Maryland “style” of course – often called “Old Bay Shrimp.” Here’s what it takes…

Ingredients:

SouthBmore Shrimp on a Plate
Steamed Shrimp Ready to Serve
  • 1 pound raw shrimp (the shell can be on or off)
  • ½ cup water
  • ½ cup beer (Don’t use an expensive brand. A simple Budweiser will do.)
  • 3 tablespoons Old Bay Seasoning

Directions:

  1. Combine water, beer, and Old Bay Seasoning in a large pot and bring it to a boil.
  2. Place a steaming rack in the pot over the water and add the Shrimp. If you would like your shrimp to be a bit spicier you will want alternate layers of shrimp and sprinkling Old Bay Seasoning to taste.
  3. Cover and steam for 2 to 3 minutes until they are done. You will know they are done when they have turned pink.

Variations:

  • You may wish to use ½ cup of water instead of beer.
  • Some people like to add a couple of celery stalks chopped into large pieces to the pot. If you choose to do this, add the celery when you add the water, beer, and Old Bay Seasoning.
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Recipe: Steamed Maryland Blue Carbs

Do-It-Yourself has never tasted so good as with this easy recipe for steamed crabs. So, you want to know how to cook crabs? Here’s what it takes…

Ingredients:

Steamed Crabs with Old Bay Seasoning
  • 1 dozen Maryland Blue Crabs
  • 1 cup beer (Don’t use an expensive brand. A simple Budweiser will do.)
  • 1 cup white vinegar
  • 1/4 cups Old Bay Seasoning (or more if you like them spicy!)
  • MORE Old Bay Seasoning!

Directions:

  1. In a large pot, stir together the beer, white vinegar, and Old Bay seasoning.
  2. Place a steaming rack in the pot making sure that the steaming rack is above the liquid.
  3. Bring the liquid to a boil then place Maryland Blue Crabs in the pot on the steaming rack.
  4. Sprinkle your desired amount of Old Bay on top of the Maryland Blue Crabs.
  5. Cover and steam until they are done, approximately 20 minutes (for large crabs). You will be able to tell if they are done because they will be bright orange in color instead of blue/green.

Variations:

  • You may wish to use 1 cup of water in place of the cup of beer. However, true Marylanders use the beer.

Tips:

  • The best way to eat Maryland Steamed Blue Crabs in to expect to get messy! Lay down some newspaper or brown craft paper, get out some knives and mallets (used in helping to open the crabs and to get the meat out, and enjoy!
  • Wait until the crabs have just started to cool down to a comfortable temperature for touching them and that is the time when you will have your best shot at pulling big chunks of crab meat out when you pull the legs off.
  • You may choose to serve Maryland Crabs with little cups of melted butter or extra Old Bay Seasoning for dipping.
  • Marylanders love to have their steamed crabs with fried chicken and corn on the cob on the side.