Do you ever find yourself getting into a rut when it comes to menu planning for the week? We all have our go-to recipes that we can whip up with our eyes closed, but sometimes it’s a good idea to branch out and try some new things. Living in southern Maryland definitely has its advantages, as fresh seafood is in abundance. So, why not utilize it in your own kitchen? Here are a few ideas to spice up your meals, Maryland style.

Jumbo Lump Maryland Crab Cakes

Is Maryland famous for its crab or its crab cakes? While this question can be a hot debate, one doesn’t visit Maryland without a hearty helping of jumbo lump crab cakes. Crab cakes can seem a bit daunting to make but in all actuality, they’re pretty simple and can be made with ingredients you probably already have in your refrigerator. Here is the recipe:

1 pound jumbo lump Maryland crabmeat

1 egg

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

¼ cup mayonnaise (homemade, with lemon, preferred)

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon pepper

¼-1/2 cup fresh breadcrumbs (panko, preferred)

Mix together carefully to keep the lumps intact and sauté in a pan with butter. Feel free to add some chives as well for additional flavor. Once they’re done, dip them in a creamy garlic aioli or whip up some sriracha mayonnaise for a bit of spice.

Cream of Crab Soup

Maryland is known for its Maryland Crab Soup as well as its Cream of Crab Soup. While both are equally delicious, the flavor of the Cream of Crab is rich and is sure to be a crowd pleaser at your next dinner. Serve it up with a side of warm bread and a glass of sauvignon blanc. Here’s what you’ll need:

1 lb handpicked Maryland jumbo lump crabmeat

4 tbsp butter

2 tbsp flour

2 cups whole milk

1 cup half-and-half

1 lemon, juiced

1 tsp celery-salt

4 tbsp dry sherry

Old Bay Seasoning or J.O. Crab Seasoning

Chopped parsley for garnish

Step 1: In a medium pot, melt butter and stir in flour until dissolved. Add milk and celery salt and bring to a gentle boil.

Step 2: Reduce heat to medium, add half-and-half, lemon juice, sherry, and the lump crab meat.  Heat thoroughly while stirring gently, but don’t bring to a boil.

Once served, garnish with Old Bay and parsley.

Hot Crab Dip

Craving a hearty appetizer? You can’t go wrong with hot crab dip and warm bread. This is another recipe that’s pretty simple to make but packs a punch with guests and family members.  Here is the recipe:
1/2 pound Maryland crabmeat
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sour cream
2 tbsp. mayonnaise
1 tbsp. lemon juice
1 1/4 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp. dry mustard
1/4 cup grated cheddar cheese
pinch garlic salt
paprika, for garnish

In a large bowl, mix cream cheese, sour cream, mayo, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and garlic salt until smooth. Add enough milk to make the mixture creamy. Stir in 2 tbsp. of grated cheese, then fold crabmeat into mixture. Pour mixture into a 1 quart casserole dish and top with remaining cheese. Bake at 325° until mixture is bubbly and browned on top, about 30 minutes.

Rockfish Ceviche

Ceviche is the perfect appetizer on a hot and sunny day. Loaded with flavor, this citrusy ceviche can be eaten with crackers, taro chips, tortilla chips, on a salad or paired with grilled shrimp.  Here’s how to whip this up:

1-pound fresh, skinless Striped Bass fillet cut into ¼ inch cubes

1 large ripe tomato, diced into ¼ inch sections

11/2 ears of fresh corn (shucked, kernels removed)

1/2 med red onion, diced

1 jalapeño pepper (cored, seeded, small dice)

1 tsp fresh crushed garlic (finely diced)

¼ oz. chopped fresh cilantro

¼ oz. chopped parsley

11/2 cups fresh lime juice,

Juice from one fresh lemon

Juice from one fresh orange

Salt (added to taste)

Simply mix all ingredients together and chill for a few hours.

Blue Catfish Tacos

Everyone loves a good taco, but have you had them Maryland style? Blue Catfish tacos are delicious and can be prepared multiple ways. You can fry your catfish and top it with a cabbage slaw and a cilantro lime sauce, or you can take it up a notch and marinate your catfish in a chimichurri sauce, sauté it and add a corn relish. The great thing about tacos is that you can mix and match flavor combinations and create a different dining experience each time.

 

 

Cooking doesn’t have to be a chore, it can actually be a fun and creative outlet if you don’t allow yourself to get stuck making the same recipe. These are just a few ideas inspired by the bounty of seafood Maryland has to offer. What’s your Maryland favorite?