Crab Cakes, Oregon Style

Hello, everybody! Mary Jane here with some pictures of our beach trip. I HATE that we had to come back to 105+ weather. UGH. But, I just keep trying to remember that at least we have ice, unlike the pioneers. I can get a cold Diet coke with a lot of ice, instead of warm water from a canteen. Positive thinking, right?

 So, we went crabbing in Newport. $10 gets you a shellfish license for the season. Can you believe we were wearing light jackets?? *sigh*
                                                                
Hauling the traps up from the water builds muscles!!
                                                    
A Fish and Wildlife warden showed us the easiest way to pick them up. Here, Ana demonstrates her fearlessness.
                                         
I wondered if three large Dungeness would make enough patties for the nine of us...
                                
Time to get cracking!

 The boys went to work. My 12 year old is kind of squeamish and said, "No way, no how." But he didn't eat any, either, so that was fair, I guess.

 The three crabs gave about 1/2 lb of crab meat. I had a recipe that needed 1 lb, so I had to adjust a little.
3/4 cup mayonaise
5 Tbsp Dijon mustard
1 cup panko crumbs, unseasoned
1/4 cup celery, finely chopped
1/2 tsp Old Bay Seasoning
pepper and salt to taste

I like this recipe because it lets the flavor of the crab shine through, and it's not too overwhelming.
 

Fry on med high heat until golden on both sides. 

 Thank you, Mr. Dungeness, for your sacrifice!! You were delicious. :)

And my newest book releases on the 15th! You can check it out here.

 Vivacious Jamie Lawson has a lot in common with her first grade students. She’s bright, curious, energetic, has a big heart… and lacks any kind of filter. Her friends laugh about how she can’t help sharing what’s on her mind, but her mother warns her that trouble will find a woman who can’t hold her tongue.

The day Jamie accidentally breaks her best friend’s trust, she finally realizes that what is charming in a six year old, just isn’t as adorable in an adult. She vows that with God’s help, she’s going to listen more and talk less, especially around handsome Theo Delis. He’ll be helping her run the Lawson Family Blueberry Farm for the summer, and it will be the perfect time for Jamie to learn a little introspection. His serious, no-nonsense demeanor is the polar opposite of her gabby personality, and she’s sure he’ll be drawn to her new, aloof personality.

But as the heat of an Arcadia Valley summer settles in, Jamie discovers there’s more to wisdom than silence and more to love than mystery.

Until next time!!

Beach Party Lingo!

Nothing says summer like the beach. I may not get there this summer but I return often in my memories. I've learned beach vacations mean different things for different people.  Families have special places they return to each year.  They eat different food. Do different things. Read different books.  So many memories.   Here are some of mine:

Blueberry Pie

Ahem, I know what you are thinking. “Julie is a member of the Partridge family?” or “That is not a picture of blueberry pie.”  I was obsessed with Partridge Family books that went along with the TV program.  In one adventure, David and the rest of the family had a cookout in a New England cove.  Clam bake, corn and blueberry pie.  For some reason, the writer’s description has stayed in my memory until today.  If blueberry pie is on the menu, I get it. If it isn’t, I make it.

Chincoteague

My best beach memories from childhood involve Chincoteague, Virginia.  You may have heard of town, its famous pony roundup to benefit the fire department or the book Misty of Chincoteague.  I loved Chincoteague and its beach on Assateague Island. No development. Just ponies, miles of unadulterated beach, and dinners of Mom’s steamed seafood.  

Calabash Style

Calabash has more restaurants than people! More fried seafood than anywhere else it seems.

When I moved to North Carolina from Maryland, I had to get used to developed beaches and Calabash style seafood.  Man O and I compromised on the beach style by going to Kure Beach, located near Fort Fisher Park with undeveloped beachfront, an aquarium and Civil War fort to explore. But it also meant I had to eat seafood deep fried, served with hushpuppies and key lime pie. What makes Calabash style different from other fried seafood is using self-rising flour which makes it a lighter coating. Or so my research tells me. Sadly, with my allergies, I am back to steamed. Happily, there is Old Bay seasoning.      

Old Bay Seasoning

You can’t grow up in Maryland without knowing about this classic seasoning The history of Old Bay. Educate yourself. .  I know people who can’t get it where they live in the US so they stock up when they come back home to visit.  My mother would steam shrimp and crabs and sprinkle the Old Bay on with butter and gusto! 

Crab Cakes 

North Carolina has blue soft shell crabs that are eaten whole on the buns, not Maryland crab cakes. Just not the same.  I can’t think about my crab staring at me while I eat it.  Also, there’s a reason places call their crab cakes “Maryland style.”  Maryland has the best crab cakes hands down and that is my best summer memory.  The original recipe on the box includes breadcrumbs but the mark of a great crab cake is as little bread as possible in the patty. This is also a great way to fix tuna or salmon cakes. Crab is pricey but tuna doesn't hold the same memories!!!

So what are your beach memories or lake stories?