Living in the Land of Pleasant Living

Living in the land of pleasant living....

If you live in Maryland, you definitely know what that title means. It was actually coined by the National Bohemian Beer marketing campaign when I was a wee one. Living near the Chesapeake Bay, in the summer, putting down a cold Natty Boh, getting your hands caked with Old Bay seasoning while picking steamed crabs...that my friends, is living in the land of pleasant living.

Now when you have your full of crabs and you have many left, what do you do? Well, I either make a pot of Maryland-style crab soup or I pick the remaining crabs and make crab cakes for the next night's meal. And, of course, Maryland tomatoes right from my garden and the last of my garden's potatoes made into potato salad are perfect side dishes.

So it went several months ago. As I was starting my 2012 blogging, I realized I had started this blog back in September. It was worth publishing just to get everyone's mouth salivating. I remember that meal like it was yesterday. If you live in the "Land of Pleasant Living," you may have your own family recipe for crab cakes. Here is mine:

1/2 sleeve Ritz crackers crushed
1 1/2 tablespoon mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
1 egg, beaten
1/2 teaspoon yellow mustard
1 pound lump crabmeat with no shells (Maryland crab is the best!)
panko flakes

In a bowl, mix mayo, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, baking powder, Old Bay, mustard, and egg. Gently fold in crabmeat and cracker crumbs. Mix lightly and shape into 4 patties. Coat with panko flakes. Refrigerate patties for 30 minutes to help keep them together when cooking.

Broil on cookie sheet lined with foil sprayed with Pam or fry in canola oil until golden-brown on both sides.

Now, all you need is an ice cold Natty Boh. Ahhhhhhh! That is living!