Maryland Crab Bake

Before beginning, have all of your ingredients ready, and equipment.  The crabs will be moving around, so you will need to work fast.    

 2 dozen fresh Maryland Blue Crabs

1 lb raw shrimp

6-8 oz. water

1/3 C lemon juice

1 t Worcestershire sauce

Old Bay seasoning to taste ( I use a level tablespoon to start, usually a little more)

1 whole head of garlic, each clove peeled and cut in half 

1/2 C butter

1/3 fresh Jalapeno pepper sliced 

1 lemon or lime sliced

salt and pepper

5 fresh ears of corn, husks removed

12 "new" potatoes ( red, small, unpeeled)  

Place the potatoes in the bottom of a very large steamer pot. Cut the fresh ears of corn in half and place over the potatoes in an upright position. Rinse off the crabs and place face down as next layers. Top with the shrimp . Over this pour and lemon juice, and sprinkle Worcestershire sauce, Old Bay and garlic over all. Slice butter and place on top. Complete layering with the jalapeno pepper, lemon slices, salt and pepper. Cover pot and boil over high heat for 20 minutes. Turn heat off and allow to set until ready to serve. 

When ready, pour out on a huge platter or in the middle of a picnic table that is covered in paper.  Serve with some ice cold Natty Boh! 

Yum!

Serves 6   

Just a little side story. This recipe has been with us since 1985. When I found it back then, it was listed under Cost $22. Crabs were really cheap then. Now you are lucky of you can find Crabs for $65 a dozen.