Steamed Crabs remind me of Ocean Mom Mom...
When I was little, my sisters, brother and I used to go crabbing off the dock down in Avalon, NJ. With each trap full of Blue Claws we resurrected from the bay's floor, we would run the, "keepers" back to the house. My Great Grandmom would be sitting at the kitchen table eagerly awaiting our arrival...pot going atop the stove...metal pliers in one hand, a mallet in the other...
To this day, I have never seen anyone clean a crab quite as thoroughly as Ocean Mom Mom. Even as a young girl, I respected her work...stood in awe of her steadfastness and technique...
We still have that house my Great Grandparents built down at the seashore ~ for that we are fortunate and blessed. Thank you Ocean Mom Mom and Ocean Pop Pop....we love you, we miss you...and with these crabs ...we remember you...
Steamed Crabs with Old Bay Seasoning,
recipe off the back of the OLD BAY Seasoning
Water
Vinegar
1/2 cup Old Bay Seasoning
1 dozen crabs
Pot should have raised rack, minimum 2 inches high. Add equal quantities water and vinegar to just below level of rack. Layer crabs; sprinkle each layer with Old Bay. Cover and steam until crabs turn red, about 30 minutes.
19 comments:
Wow... I lived in Maryland for about 20 years.... Steam Crabs always my favorite, and these look so good.
Thanks for sharing
I have eaten 100's of crabs in my life, though it's been quite a while since as I've lived way away from the shore. Your pictures and that Old Bay can take me to a wonderful place.
Brought a tear to my eye.
...Oh, and I love that you placed your crabs on top of The Wall Street Journal. How very sophisticated.
Oh, but of course ;)
God! I miss living in the coastal area of Georgia. Keith's Crab Shack and a brown paper bag full of Old Bay Crabs....Summer and crabs just go together. When I was working at the Hyatt in Savannah, I had 2 old women I used to shock and amaze the tourists :)... they could crack and clean down a blue crab in seconds! It was amazing to watch (and a tad frightening as well... those crab shells are sharp!)
They are SHARP! Yet still so much fun to those of us who love to do it! There is something theraputic about it...weird perhaps but true... thanks guys for sharing your memories! Love it! xo
Crabs, one of my favorite things on the planet! How lucky - what a beautiful memory ( I love cooking in memory of people) - and how amazing to have known your great grandparents. Your photos of the crabs are divine!!
Thanks Nicole! XO :) Love your blog!
oh my adore fresh crab must have been fun to catch them
What a fabulous memory. My grandmother grew up wallowing in the Mobile Bay (her words). If I can learn to clean a crab in half the time that she can (at 87 yrs old), I will be thrilled.
Great post.
What gorgeous photos of gorgeous crabs. A lovely and delicious way to remember your great grandparents. Happy 4th of July.
Sam
I can pack away 30+ steamed crabs. So good!
~thechildcooks
I immediately noticed the picture on Foodgwker (or was it Tastespotting?). Beautiful. And such a nice way to remember someone you love.
Oh my! I've missed so much in my time away! I've got some catching up to do...
Love the photos here, and love food that reminds us of our pasts. So nice to have a certain food or dish that brings back memories like this!
Hope you had a great holiday weekend!
Steamed crab look delish!! gotta try it...It's on the todo list!!thanks
What a fantastic tribute to Ocean Mom Mom!!
Try using beer/vinegar instead of water... and mixing the old bay with kosher salt!
Oh how we love our crabs!
First. You need a picture of the live crabs...preferably pinching one of your little ones (that would be a great pic if you timed it right).
Second. My Dad is the master of all master's when it comes to picking crabs!
Third. Great post. Makes me miss being in Maryland and eating crabs during the summer months.
Thanks,
JK
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