February 27th, 2011
By early afternoon, yesterday, we knew we were going to eat crabs. Years ago there was a small crab house in Ocean City, Maryland that we loved to go. As it happens, it was falling all around them. Anyway, that’s what Nolan, the owner, told me last night. In the past few years it was rebuilt into one amazing crab house. You can smell Old Bay seasoning as you approach the restaurant.
The Crab Bag is located at 13005 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD. Tel. is 410-250-3337. It opens at 9:00 a.m. serving breakfast and even though it is a full crab house, they offer so many other things to eat; seafood, steaks, hamburgers, sandwiches and salads. Their website is www.occrabbag.com but it is under construction at the moment. You can still go on it and download their menu. You can also find them on Facebook.
I really go there for the crabs. It has been quite some time since I had been there. Crabs, at this time of the year, are coming pretty much from Louisiana. Last night they were offering all you can eat or you could order by the dozen. I ordered by the dozen; only the biggest ones. Crabs are also expensive during these months, but every single table was taken at the Crab Bag.
The Crab Bag has two floors with decks and outdoor dining, as well. It is February so everyone was indoors.
There is nothing better than picking crabs in a crab house. It is loud, people are hammering away, drinking; a constant chatter. It is the perfect way to establish conversation. Your hands are fast working, grabbing those lumps of crab meat.
But then, of course, if you are a true Baltimorean, then there is no better way to accompany those steamed, extra large crabs than with a Natty Boh. It has to be very cold too. Frosted glass, the best!!
Natty Bohs (National Bohemian) is back in Baltimore after a 15 year absence. Steamed crabs and Natty Bohs define Baltimore. It has always been a tradition.
We sat on the second level and that had another full bar but not as many tables. Mike was our waiter and he was busy. He was very good; attentive and fast.
We started with some steamed clams; middle necks, chargrilled with fresh shallots, celery, green peppers, spices, Parmesan cheese and bacon. They were tasty and went fast.
Then our crabs arrived, steaming hot. Mike asked us if we wanted vinegar, melted butter, and Old Bay. My answer? All of the above.
We dug into the crabs; they were heavy, juicy and sweet!! Perfection. To me, there is nothing like the Maryland blue crab. Not in season? Then, this is the next best thing.
Some steamed corn complemented the crabs. The corn was nice and sweet for this time of the year. Don’t know where it was coming from, though.
Nolan, the owner, stopped by to see how everything was. It really was very good and the service was the best. No complaints.
We left the Crab Bag, still full of customers enjoying what the Delmarva Peninsula is known for. We told Nolan that we had come to get our crab fix for the week-end. He in turn told us that there are people that stop by 2 times a week for crabs. Cannot get enough!!! I agree because I can’t either.
See you later...
Talk to you soon….you know I will….
July 25th, 2010
Each summer our visitors to the Delaware Beaches come from hundreds of miles around to enjoy what this area has to offer; the beaches, the people but most of all, the food; crabs, corn, fresh produce. Yes, I buy fresh and I buy local.
Of course, the topic of conversation is the weather. Hot and steamy. In my household once it gets that way I like to keep the cooking plain, strong, and simple.
So as the temperature yesterday soared to the 100 degrees I decided to go to my usual stomping grounds. This is what I got.
Freeman’s Corn – You have seen my posts about this family owned business. Fresh produce at its best. No question, the corn is so sweet, clean and beautiful. They are located at the corner of Robinsonville and Plantations Rds. That is called Rt. 1 D which is parallel to Rt. 1.
Next favorite stop for crabs would have to be Jimmy Lynn’s Seafood Carry Out. They are the “home of the Crabs with Attitude”. Located on 182226 Coastal Highway, Lewes. Tel. 302-644-9329.
I have tried the softshells from every seafood store in the area and, to me, they are the best. They come in on Wednesdays.
I also like to buy their crab claws. They are fun to eat as an appetizer, dipped in vinegar.
If you heard someone say that they do not like tomatoes is because they have never had fresh summer tomatoes like we have on the Eastern Shore. I don’t know if it is the soil but at the height of the season, they truly are the best.
Homemade mayonnaise – Once you make it, you will not go back to the commercial type. It is so easy to make. I posted the recipe on my post of June 28th. Just click on the month of June on the left hand side of my blog, under Archives, and scroll down to the date.
You can put it on tomatoes and corn or use it as a dip. Remember to make that recipe your own and adjust it to your liking.
Have a great Sunday!!! Our visitors are so lucky; No rain and the beaches are hot.
July 10th, 2010
I have bought corn everywhere, here, at the beaches, and don’t get me wrong, it has all been pretty good. But, it is only when I buy it from Freeman’s that I really fall in love with it, time and time again.
Last summer I mentioned that I have even sent this corn to Puerto Rico; a small fortune but worth it since they do not have this type of corn there.
Freeman’s corn is located on the road that is parallel to Rt. 1. That road is 1D but it is also called Plantations Rd. He is at the corner of Robinsonville and Plantations Rds.
You cannot miss Freeman’s Corn since you will see plenty of cars stopping starting at about 11:00 a.m. It is a family operated business. The orange bins will be filled with other produce, as well.
But, their haywagon truck holds the most important bins; that beautiful corn; clean, kept cool, and no blemishes.
Friendly and cordial making chit chat with their customers; that’s what I like so much. The older man that has been there for years asked me if I was sending corn this year to PR. Not sure yet, was my answer, since the person that loved it the most is no longer there.
One vegetable that attracted my attention yesterday was the white eggplant. I had never seen it. It was beautiful.
Apparently eggplants got their name because they used to come in only one color; white. Hanging from the plant they looked like eggs.
The original white eggplant is now very trendy; smaller than the purple, supposedly, more tender. The skin is tougher and must be peeled. They are available seasonally.
Freeman’s corn is also at the Farmers Markets every week in Lewes at the Lewes Historical Society Complex on 110 Shipcarpenters St., on Saturday from 8 a.m. until noon and on Tuesdays at the Rehoboth Farmers Market located at Grove Park by the round about, behind the Chamber of Commerce, from noon until 4 p.m. These markets are held rain or shine.
So what can I say about Freeman’s corn that I have not said? Well boil, bake it, grill it and really enjoy it this summer. It looks like a great crop.
Talk to you later…
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