Baltimore Crab Fluffs Recipes

BALTIMORE CRAB FLUFFS

Steps:

• Combine crab meat, panko, scallions, and zest in a bowl.
• In a separate bowl, stir together mayonnaise, lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and cayenne pepper.
• Gently fold mayonnaise mixture into crab mixture until the two are thoroughly combined; try to avoid breaking up the crab meat.
• Stir together the egg yolks, milk, beer, and 1 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning for the batter in a large bowl.
• Sift in flour and baking powder; stir mixture with a fork until batter is just combined. (Some lumps are OK.).
• Heat 1 inch of vegetable oil in a medium-sized pot over medium-high heat to 360º degrees.
• Form crab mixture into balls the size of large gum balls (about one rounded tablespoons each).
• Working in batches,coat crab balls with batter, then use slotted spoon to carefully lay them into hot oil.
• Turn fluffs frequently until they're evenly browned, about 2 minutes.
• Remove fluffs to a paper-towel-lined tray.
• Serve fluffs immediately, or keep them warm in a 200º degree oven for up to 30 minutes.

BALTIMORE-STYLE CRAB CAKES

Steps:

• Finely crush the saltine crackers in your hands and place in a large bowl. Add the crabmeat, reserving any crab juice in a separate small bowl.
• To the bowl with the crab juice, add the mayonnaise egg, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce; whisk until smooth. Season with black pepper.
• Gently fold the mayonnaise mixture into the crab and saltines. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
• Scoop the crab mixture into six patties, about 1 1/2-inches thick. Be careful not to handle the mixture too much.
• In a large skillet, heat the oil over moderately high heat until shimmering. Add the crab cakes and cook until deeply golden and heated through, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer the crab cakes to plates and serve with lemon wedges.

CRAB CAKES BALTIMORE-STYLE

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl combine the eggs, celery, saltines, mayonnaise, mustard, Old Bay Seasoning, pepper flakes, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, scallions, salt and pepper, and blend well. Add the crab meat, folding it in lightly without breaking it up.
• Divide the mixture into 12 equal portions. Shape them into hamburger-like patties. Dredge them lightly in the bread crumbs.
• Heat approximately 2 tablespoons of the oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Saute the crab cakes 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown, using the remaining 2 tablespoons oil if necessary. Drain on paper towels immediately. Serve the crab cakes with this French Creole-inspired remoulade sauce.

OLD-SCHOOL BALTIMORE CRAB SOUP

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the carrots, and cook uncovered until tender, about 5 minutes. Drain well, and set aside.
• Place the ham bone, barley, salt, and pepper in large stock pot with 4 cups of water. Simmer over medium heat for 30 to 45 minutes. Add cabbage and tomatoes; continue simmering for 15 more minutes. Stir in the potatoes and carrots. Simmer until the potatoes are tender and easily pierced with a fork, 20 to 30 minutes. Stir in 1 cup of water, corn, green beans, lima beans, and peas. Simmer for 20 minutes.
• While the soup is simmering, clean the crabs by opening it and discarding the lungs and mouth. Remove the yellowish-brown tomalley and set aside. Break the crabs in half and add to the soup along with the seafood seasoning. Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Meanwhile, place the bacon in a large, deep skillet, and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain the bacon slices on a paper towel-lined plate. Cook and stir the reserved tomalley in the remaining bacon grease over low heat until the mixture becomes gravy-like. Stir the cooked tomalley into the soup with 1 more cup of water. Continue simmering for 45 minutes, then add the lump crabmeat. Season with additional salt, pepper, and seafood seasoning, if necessary. Simmer for 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low, until ready to serve.

BALTIMORE CRAB CAKES

Steps:

• Whisk first 7 ingredients in a medium bowl. Add crab; fold to blend. Stir in 3/4 cup panko, chives, salt, and pepper. Divide into 6 equal portions. Form each into 1"-thick patties. Refrigerate for at least 10 minutes. Line a platter with lettuce leaves.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place remaining 1/2 cup panko on a plate. Coat cakes with panko. Fry until golden brown and crisp, 3-4 minutes per side. Arrange atop lettuce; serve with lemon wedges.