Maryland Crab Cakes: A Seafood Lover’s Dream – Thanksgiving Recipe

Picture this: a rainy afternoon on Thanksgiving in the cozy Carpenter Street and Saloon in St. Michaels. It was here, amidst the maritime ambiance, that my love affair with Maryland crab cakes began. Little did I know that this encounter would lead me on a quest for the perfect recipe, uncovering the guarded secrets of those who consider crafting crab cakes an art.

Sitting in the dimly lit saloon, I couldn’t resist asking the waitress for the elusive recipe. It’s a personal thing, the ratio of crab to filler is the balance. It’s an individual art.

Undeterred, my curiosity persisted, and it wasn’t until I met Ruth, a Baltimore native now residing in The Woodlands, Texas, that I struck gold. Ruth, a guardian of her family’s culinary heritage, willingly shared her treasured Crab Cake Meltaway recipe, reminiscent of the famed Maryland Crab Cakes. This delectable Thanksgiving recipe will surely be a crowd-pleaser at any holiday gathering.

Ruth’s Crab Cake Meltaway Recipe: A Family Heirloom

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. lump crabmeat
• 1 egg, beaten
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons deli mustard
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (optional)
• 10-15 Ritz crackers, crushed
• Old Bay seasoning, to taste (approximately 2-3 teaspoons)

Instructions:

1. Mix all the ingredients, ensuring a moist consistency. Adjust by adding mayonnaise and crackers as needed.
2. Form the mixture into balls, placing them on a buttered cookie sheet.
3. Drizzle with melted butter and bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees or fry with a touch of olive oil.
4. For crab cakes, shape the mixture into desired circles.

For more Thanksgiving recipes, check out Food and Dieting’s collection of 14 Recipes for a Gloriously Extra, Next-Level Thanksgiving.

Tartar Sauce: A Perfect Companion

Ingredients:

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon pickle relish
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Mix all ingredients and refrigerate until ready to use.

Kitchen Hints from the 1960s: A Culinary Throwback

• When frying fish, salt the skillet’s bottom to prevent sticking.
• Seal the edges of wax paper with a hot iron to keep sandwiches from drying out.
• Keep parsley fresh by placing it in a closed fruit jar in the refrigerator.

Crab Bomb: Jerry’s Seafood Restaurant Original

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs. jumbo lump crab meat
• 10-15 Ritz crackers, crushed
• 2 sticks unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 teaspoons white vinegar
• 2-3 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Mix crab with Old Bay seasoning and refrigerate.
2. Combine crab meat with mayonnaise, cracker crumbs, and season with salt and pepper.
3. Form crab mixture into four tennis-sized balls and place in a heatproof baking receptacle.
4. Pour melted butter and vinegar mixture over the crab meat.
5. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.

Thoughts from the 60s: A Glimpse into the Past

• “The man wears the pants in the family, but the woman provides the suspenders.”
• “A community is not made of the number of square miles it contains, but by the number of square people it contains.”
• “The head begins to swell when the mind stops growing.”

Broiled Crabmeat Meltaway: Ruth’s Legacy from Baltimore

Ingredients:

• 1 package English muffins
• ½ lb. crab meat
• 1 stick margarine
• 1 (6 oz.) jar cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• ½ teaspoon seasoned salt
• ½ teaspoon garlic salt

Instructions:

1. Remove cartilage from crab meat.
2. Slice muffins in half. Mix the remaining ingredients in a bowl.
3. Spread mixture on muffin halves and freeze until firm.
4. Store frozen pieces in freezer bags until ready to use.
5. For same-day use, freeze for 30 minutes, then broil until light golden brown and bubbly.

Embark on a culinary voyage with these Maryland Crab Cake variations, each bearing the unique touch of those who hold the crab cake tradition dear. Subscribe to food and dieting Recipes for more culinary adventures, and explore the flavors that echo through generations.

Explore other delightful recipes on Food and Dieting for a variety of culinary inspirations.

If you’re interested in air frying, discover the wonders of airfood with this Airfood Recipe.

In conclusion, Maryland Crab Cakes offer a delectable twist to your Thanksgiving table, combining the richness of crab meat with a perfect blend of spices. Elevate your holiday feast with this seafood lover’s dream, and explore more culinary delights with Food and Dieting’s diverse recipe collection. Happy Thanksgiving!