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Fresh Take: Old Bay
Fresh Take
OLD BAY SEASONING
By Dylan Roche
Summer around the Chesapeake region is practically synonymous with Old Bay. Produced by McCormick & Company, this mainstay of Maryland culture is primarily used as a seafood seasoning—mostly crabs, but sometimes fish too. It’s also popular as a seasoning for potato chips, popcorn, chicken, soup, vegetables, and, even, chocolate (don’t believe us? Try it!).
Maryland-Style Crab Cakes with Old Bay
If knowing more about the health benefits of Old Bay has put you in the mood for some serious seafood, why not put your seasoning to use with some classic crab cakes? We’re sure that every Marylander has their own recipe they prefer, but in case you don’t, here’s one you can try.
INGREDIENTS:
2 tablespoons Old Bay 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1 egg, beaten 1 tablespoon mayonnaise 1 cup breadcrumbs 1 pound crabmeat, drained and picked through for shells
DIRECTIONS:
Combine all the ingredients except crabmeat and breadcrumbs in a large bowl and whisk together. Gradually add the breadcrumbs, followed by the crabmeat. Divide the mix into 4–6 equal portions and form into patties about 1 inch thick. Heat a skillet with 1 tablespoon oil over medium heat and fry patties until they’re golden brown, about four minutes on each side. Serve warm (with more Old Bay on the side for additional seasoning to taste).
The story goes that Old Bay was invented by Gustav Brunn, a German immigrant who fled Bavaria during World War II and came to the United States with his spice grinder in tow. His signature seafood seasoning blend would take its name from the Baltimore Steam Packet Company, colloquially known as the Old Bay Line, which operated passenger ships along the Chesapeake. The spice blend was bought by McCormick & Company in 1990.
This blend includes 18 herbs and spices, but the primary ones are salt, celery seed, red pepper, black pepper, and paprika. Although those five are the only ones of the 18 you’ll see printed on the McCormick ingredient label, discerning palates will also detect the taste of mustard, cinnamon, and Bay leaves.
