old bay seasoning

[patrice]

I am making crab cakes. The recipe calls for Old Bay seasoning. What is it? I went to one grocery store and they didn't have it. It is 15 miles to the next closest store. Please save me a trip. Can I substitute some other seasoning mixture?

[lindrusso]

Patrice,

We're also making crab cakes tonight using Old Bay!

Old Bay is a spicy seasoning used often with Maryland blue crabs (good on shrimp as well!). Did you check the seafood department? Some stores carry it there, rather than the spice department. Maybe you could call the store and have them look for you to possible save yourself a trip.

If that doesn't work, here's a recipe that Susan posted on another thread about Old Bay. Having grown up in Maryland, it always surprises me when people mentioned that they haven't heard of it! Of course now that I live in IN, I can completely see why - seafood is hard to come by!

Old Bay Seasoning

Recipe By :
Serving Size : 1 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Mixes Copycat

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 Tbsp Celery Seed
1 Tbsp Whole Black Peppercorns
6 Bay Leaves
1/2 Tsp Whole Cardamom
1/2 Tsp Mustard Seed
4 Whole Cloves
1 Tsp Sweet Hungarian Paprika
1/4 Tsp Mace

In a spice grinder or small food processor, combine all of the ingredients. Grind well and store in a small glass jar.

>From "Sundays at the Moosewood Restaurant"

Good luck!!

[goldilocks]

old bay seasoning is typically a spice used in fish/seafood recipes. i bought it for use in oprah's unfried chicken. i haven't tasted it on it's own, but i think a fair substitute could be a cajun/creole spice mix. hope this helps you a bit.

[Jewel]

Goldilocks, I did the same thing! I was trying to make Oprah's Unfried Chicken, and couldn't find Old Bay Seasoning anywhere in the Spice aisle. I looked over and over, up and down. I knew it was a Seafood seasoning, so I asked the guy in the Seafood Dept why they didn't carry it? He looked at me like I was nuts and pointed down. It was actually right under the lobster tank with other seafood seasonings! I like the stuff, and use it in lots of recipes, since my hubby and I don't eat seafood!

[Cindy]

I too bought Old Bay for a crab cakes recipe and now I have a rather large container left over. Any suggestions as to what else to use it for? If you use it on fish, are you just sprinkling it on and then broiling or baking? Thanks!

[Shirley Panek]

I make Old Bay croutons for the "Back to the Best" Caesar Salad (May 2000?). Yum!

Shirley

[Jewel]

Cindy, think of it as another spice blend! I use it like Emeril would use his 'essence'. When I season flour for dredging the chicken breasts, or anytime I season bread crumbs for either a breading or a casserole topping. I've even shaken chicken cubes in a plastic bag with Old Bay inside, then sauted the cubes for wraps or salads.

I've also used it in my marinade for Tuna Steaks before they're put on the grill. YUM!
It goes a long way, but it's got a real kick! Use it whenever you want to 'kick it up a notch!' (OK, I couldn't resist... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/rolleyes.gif ) http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by Jewel (edited 03-31-2001).]

[patrice]

Okay, it's raining outside, the store is 15 miles away but you are all giving me too many ideas. I must make the trip. Thanks for all the info!

[Vanessa]

I have friends that use Old Bay on lots of stuff from devil eggs to scramble eggs and even (yes!) French fries....

[patrice]

The ingredients are similar to crab boil spices. I have some of that mixture and I will compare the ingredients. Thanks!

[ellielk]

My trainer suggested it as easoning for cottage cheese so I'd get more protein. It's good.
Originally posted by Vanessa:
I have friends that use Old Bay on lots of stuff from devil eggs to scramble eggs and even (yes!) French fries....

[Angela]

Old Bay is wonderful and worth a drive to have to get some!
I love it on French Fries and in Tuna Salad!

[Beth]

Did anyone else get a sample packet in the Sunday newspaper? I got 4 sample packets from McCormick. If not, maybe you'll get one soon.

[tammy/MN]

BTW old bay seasoning is found in a tin like how spices used to be, not in a shaker thingy. i found mine in the spice section, but on the lower shelves, not w/ conventional "shillings" or "durkee" spices.

[valeriek]

I live in Washington, DC, and these people put Old Bay on everything. Old Bay on French Fries seems to be the most common (besides on the seafood!). I had never heard of the stuff until I moved here. In most households, it is a common as salt and pepper!

That being said, I don't care for the taste, and think that creole seasoning is a good alternative.