Delmarva Seasoning Recipes

DELMARVA CRAB CAKES WITH CUCUMBER TARTAR SAUCE

Steps:

• To make the sauce:
• In a medium bowl, toss the cucumber with the salt. Let stand about 1 hour. Transfer to a sieve and rinse well under cold running water. Pat the cucumber dry.
• In a small bowl, mix the drained cucumber, mayonnaise, scallion, capers, and anchovy paste. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. (The tartar sauce can be prepared up to 3 days ahead.)
• To make the crab cakes:
• Mix the 1/2 cup bread crumbs, the mayonnaise, egg, mustard, scallion, Worcestershire sauce, and Delmarva or Old Bay seasoning. Mix in the crabmeat with wet hands, form into 6 cakes about 3 inches wide. Place the remaining 1/2 cup bread crumbs in a deep plate. Coat the crab cakes in the crumbs and set aside.
• Line a baking sheet with paper towels. Into a large deep skillet (preferably cast iron), pour vegetable oil to a depth of 1/2 inch, and heat over high heat until very hot but not smoking. Carefully add the crab cakes and cook, turning once, until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Using a slotted spatula, transfer to the paper towels to drain. Serve hot, with the tartar sauce on the side.
• To make Delmarva Seasoning: Mix 2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon ground celery seed, 1 teaspoon dry mustard, 1 teaspoon sweet paprika, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon ground bay leaf, 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves, 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice, 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom, and 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Will keep indefinitely in a tightly covered container in a cool, dark place. Makes about 3 tablespoons.

HOMEMADE CHESAPEAKE BAY SEASONING MIX

Steps:

• In a small mixing bowl, stir together salt, cayenne pepper, celery seed, paprika , mustard , black pepper, bay leaf, allspice , ginger , nutmeg , cardamom, and cinnamon until well combined.
• Store this seasoning mix in a tightly covered container at cool room temperature in a cool, dark place. While it is best to use this Chesapeake Bay seasoning mix within a month to retain freshness, it will keep for several months if it is stored correctly.

DELMARVA SEASONING (OLD BAY SUBSTITUTE)

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients, stirring well to mix.
• Stored in a tightly-sealed container in a cool, dark place, seasonings will keep indefinitely.
• (Note: To give you a hint of how far this will go -- My favorite crab cake recipe is #81656 by pgserver6. To serve 10 people, this calls for 2 teaspoons of seasoning.).