Cream of Crab Soup

Submitted by The Crab Place

Ingredients

3 tbsp all-purpose flour 1 oz. dry Hollandaise sauce mix
½ tsp dry mustard 4 c. half and half
¼ c. butter 2 tsp Old Bay seasoning
¼ tsp celery seeds 1 c. whipping cream
1½ tbsp cooking sherry 1 lb. Maryland crab meat

Directions

  1. In a medium bowl, blend flour, Hollandaise sauce mix, & dry mustard with two cups of half and half.
  2. Melt butter over medium heat in a 4 qt. saucepan.  Slowly add above mixture to melted butter, stirring constantly to ensure smooth consistency.
  3. As the mixture begins to thicken, add remaining half and half, Old Bay seasoning, celery seeds, & whipping cream.  Heat to simmer, stirring constantly.
  4. Reduce heat to low, add crab meat & sherry.  Stir gently until heated through & serve.
  5. Top each bowl with freshly ground pepper to taste.

Note: Submitted to The Crab Place by Phoebe Ferguson of Crisfield, MD.

Crab Cocktail

Submitted by The Crab Place
Serves 4

Ingredients

1 lb. lump crab meat 2 large cucumbers, diced
1 tbsp lemon juice ¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp paprika ¼ tsp tarragon
2 tsp parsley flakes 1 c. sour cream

Directions

  1. Lump Crab MeatCombine cucumbers, lemon juice, salt, paprika, tarragon, & parsley in blender for 3 minutes.
  2. Add sour cream to the mixture.
  3. Mix well; refrigerate for 20 minutes or until chilled.
  4. Place lump crab meat in cocktail dishes & chill until ready to serve, then pour dressing over crab dishes.

Chef’s Note: This recipe was the First Place winner in the 1971 National Hard Crab Derby in Crisfield, MD.

Holiday Fried Oysters

Submitted by The Crab Place
Serves 6-8

Ingredients

1 pt. shucked oysters 4 c. all-purpose flour
1 c. cracker meal (or crushed crackers) 2 c. vegetable oil
2 tbsp butter 1 tbsp sea salt

Directions

  1. 1 pt. shucked oysters from The Crab PlacePrepare the oysters.  Combine the flour & cracker meal & dredge the oysters in the mixture.  Let the oysters sit, refrigerated, for 20 minutes.  Heat the oil to about 350°F on medium heat.  Add in the butter (optional for flavor).
  2. Fry the oysters until crispy, about 1-2 minutes per side.  The oysters are done when they are golden brown & crispy.  Transfer the fried oysters to a paper towel lined plate.  Sprinkle with sea salt & serve hot with spicy cocktail sauce and lemon wedges.

Chef’s Note:This is a great recipe for the holidays and goes well as croutons on a salad or as part of the dressing in a Thanksgiving turkey!

Garlic Crab

Submitted by The Crab Place
Serves 6

Ingredients

16 blue crabs, steamed ½ c. olive oil
1 large garlic clove, skinned 1 head of cabbage, sliced into ¼” slivers
1 c. dry white wine (or water can substitute) 2½ tbsp kosher salt
½ tsp coarsely ground black pepper ½ lb. unsalted butter
½ c. flat leaf parsley, roughly chopped 1 loaf fresh bread

Directions

  1. Prepare the steamed crabs for garlic crabs. Place your hand over the backfin leg and pull away the top shell & discard it. Remove & discard the six gills, which look like spongy fingers, & then remove their entrails, using your fingers or a knife. Once clean, tear off the crab’s mouth & any sharp shells that might be protruding. Finally, break the crab in half or leave it whole (you decide). Repeat with the remaining crabs.
  2. When all the crabs are cleaned, place the crabs in the pot along with the cabbage & white wine. You can add the optional salt, pepper, butter, & parsley.
  3. Cover the stockpot & place it on a burner. Raise the heat to medium & cook the crabs until the cabbage & garlic is tender or, about 15 minutes.
  4. Occasionally check the level of liquid, which should increase as the crabs release their juices (but if this does not happen, just make sure there is enough water to continue to cook the crabs). Stir the pot well halfway through so all the crabs get a chance to cook directly in the liquid. Serve immediately in a large bowl with fresh bread to sop up the juices.

Chef’s Note: I love Garlic Crabs & prefer to prepare them with already steamed crabs. You can prepare this recipe with live crabs, but removing the shell is a bit cumbersome. For a tangy, sharp flavor, use raw garlic, however if you like it mild use roasted garlic instead. This is a block party favorite: hot or cold, the crabs & juices maintain their wonderful flavor.