Those Old Bay chips aren't just for snacking! In honor of Old Bay's 75th anniversary, Chef Sascha Wolhandler, co-owner of Sascha's 527 Cafe, tells us how to spice up crab dishes.
Sascha's delicious recipe for hot crab dip:
Ingredients
1 lb. crab meat
8 oz. cream cheese
8 oz. sour cream
Juice of 1 lemon
1 T. Worchester
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese (1/4 c. reserved)
1 t. prepared mustard
Old Bay as needed
Steps
1. Combine the cream cheese, sour cream, lemon juice, Worchester, cheese, mustard, and old bay. Mix until combined.
2. Fold in the fresh crab meat and pour into a baking dish. Sprinkle over the reserved cheese.
3. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 25 minutes or until bubbly.
Lindsay Henry's recipe for Maryland Crabby Mac & Cheese:
Ingredients
1 lb. elbow macaroni
1 lb. lump crab meat - pick through to check for shells
2 c. reduced fat milk - cold
4 T. flour
2 1/2 T. whole butter
8 oz. block sharp white cheddar cheese - freshly grated
8 oz block mild yellow cheddar - freshly grated
1 T. Old Bay
For the crumble: 1/2 c. plain breadcrumbs, 1/2 c. crab chips - crushed
Optional: Fresh parsley for garnish
Steps
1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Over high heat, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the noodles and cook until al dente - about 7 minutes. Drain and set aside.
3. In a heavy bottom sauce pan, melt the butter over medium heat. If you're using whole butter, wait a few seconds until the butter stops bubbling. This means all the water is gone!
4. Add the flour and mix with a wooden spoon. Cook for about 2 minutes or until the roux smells like butter.
5. While whisking, add the cold milk. Whisk vigorously to incorporate. Bring the milk to a simmer, stirring often. After about 5 minutes the Bechamel will thicken.
6. Add the old bay seasoning and slowly start to add the cheese. Add as much cheese (of any variety) as you'd like. I had about 4 ounces left over!
7. Once melted, mixed, and smooth, add in the crab meat and noodles. Transfer to a baking dish.
8. Mix the crumbs and chip crumbles together. Sprinkle on top the mac and cheese.
9. Bake for 25 minutes.
10. Garnish with parsley and enjoy!
Lindsay Henry is catering sales assistant for Sascha's 527 Cafe. For a more detailed look at this recipe, check out Lindsay's blog.
Correction: We originally said that Old Bay is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. It is actually celebrating its 75th anniversary. The McCormick Company is celebrating its 125th anniversary.
