Baltimore Foods

There are a few foods from the USA that I miss a lot. Sometimes I get a craving for Nilla Wafers or Combos. However there are two foods that I always miss.

Cheese Steak Subs – growing up my Dad always took me to HillTop Carryout on East Fort Avenue in Baltimore (http://www.hilltopcarryout.com/). He still goes there and they’ve opened another location closer to him (B&A Blvd). They serve a variety of foods, I however have only had their cheese steak subs. My way of ordering it is with provolone cheese, lettuce and mayo (Mom & Dad got fried onions and sometimes changed the cheese). I still remember when I first managed to eat a whole one by myself I think it was one of Dad's proudest moments. I’ve tried other places including the one time Sub Way order, which I do NOT recommend (avoid Sub Way at all costs when it comes to their steak & cheese sub, it’s vile). Recently friends found provolone cheese while they were in Spain, they were kind enough to share it with me and I must say the English are missing out on provolone cheese.

Blue Steamed Crabs – another must if you grow up anywhere around the Chesapeake Bay is the famous steamed crabs. These are steamed in a pot including beer and a spice called Old Bay. You pull the legs off, gut the buggers and pick the meat out. A lot of restaurants have these on the menu, you can sit around a table covered in newspaper with knifes and hammers at the ready and pick crabs for ages (having a beer with them is nearly mandatory).

For those who don’t like to sit and pick through shellfish there is the Maryland Style Crab Cake. My Nana’s recipe is one I swear by, which I’ll share.

I can’t wait until I get to go back to the USA, as I’ll be having both of these favorites when I visit!

Nana’s Crab Cake Recipe

1 can (1lbs) (450 grams) Crab Meat
1 tsp salt (you can use less)
1/8 or 1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper
Black Pepper to taste
1 tsp dried or fresh chopped parsley
1 tsp dry powdered mustard
1 tsp vinegar cider
1 egg slightly beaten
1 tbs Mayonnaise
1/3 cup (43 grams) crushed crackers (biscuits for cheese)
1/2 tsp Paprika

Pick through crab meat for shells try not to break up lumps of meat.

In large bowl beat egg lightly. Add ingredients except crab meat/crushed crackers. Stir well.

Drop crab meat into bowl, add in some of the crushed crackers just enough to hold together the crab meat. Make into patties (about the size of a small burger)

Mix paprika with left over crushed crackers sprinkle over patties.

Fry in lard or butter or oil for 5 to 8 minutes on medium heat. They will brown.

Place on kitchen towel once fried to drain off excess oil.

Serve plain or with tartar sauce or with ketchup.