For pronunciation of the “hon” in the title, one must watch the movie, “Hairspray,” either version. As I began to prepare for this year’s exchange, I noticed a theme emerging. It’s Bawlmer, hon. Baltimore, MD, USA, from whence I am blogging to you. (Well, about 20 minutes outside of Bawlmer, but still.)
First I will share with you an ornament that may not appear on everyone’s Christmas tree, but many folks in our area have some variation of this on the tree. It’s a crab! A few friends scattered over the country have one of these (or some variation thereof) on their tree from me, a reminder that “someone in Baltimore loves you.” People even paint and decorate actual crab shells! I haven’t done that yet, but hey, it ain’t over til it’s over. (I’m feeling a theme for a crab feast next summer…eat, then decorate!) And if you’re wondering why, it’s because Baltimore, and the Chesapeake Bay area, are famous for delicious steamed crabs.
The full crab theme emerged when yesterday, a friend gave us some crab cookies, and someone else requested that we bring my famous crab dip to their holiday party. Yes, in stores here, holiday baking displays may include a crab-shaped cookie cutter.
And here’s the crab dip recipe. I can’t show you the finished product, because I won’t make it until tomorrow, but I will tell you that once I make it, I will have to photograph it QUICK! because people scarf this stuff right up and lick the bowl.
Hot Crab Dip
1 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
1/2 c. sour cream
2 T mayo
1 1/2 T lemon juice
2 t Worcestershire sauce
garlic powder to taste
1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese
1 lb. lump crab meat
3 dashes hot sauce
1 1/2 T Old Bay seasoning
Preheat oven to 325. Lightly grease 1 quart baking dish.
In medium bowl, mix first 6 ingredients plus 2 T of the cheddar. Fold in crab meat, hot sauce, Old Bay.
Transfer mixture to baking dish. Top with remaining cheddar and sprinkle with Old Bay. Bake 30 minutes or until bubbly and lightly browned.
Serve with your favorite crackers or crunchy bread slices.
Yes, crabs are such a vital part of life here in “the land of pleasant living,” that each year, the school children sing this song:
OK, that’s not true. But the radio stations do play it every Christmas.
This Christmas will be white, not because of new snow, but because last weekend we got 2 feet! We made powdered dognuts:
But he’s thawed out now, and ready to party:
Your turn! Show and tell us about the holidays at your house!
LOL – Fantastic! I had no idea about the whole crab thing… wow!
Here’s my contribution!
So… uh, where’s the booze?
Cookies and booze! It’s what’s for breakfast! š
I did notice how EVERYTHING is about crabs in Baltimore. And I’m totally in favor of that.
Also, one day I will attend the Hon-Fest.
Still dragging my feet on my own cookie blog, but I’m sure I’ll come up with something suitably disgusting to follow my own tradition.
Oh my I had no idea. I loooove crab dip so this will definitely be on my list.
I have yet to contribute, but will soon.
Love the VBD pics!! Such a cutie.
Great idea!
Ok- this isn’t a recipe but it’s Christmas themed:
My husband are staying home & spending Christmas with our dogs this year, which got me to thinking about all the pups bought as Christmas presents… so I wrote this:
Dear Parents: Please DO NOT get you kid a dog for Christmas http://fidoandwino.blogspot.com/2009/12/dear-parents-please-do-not-get-your-kid.html
Have a great holiday season! š
I know about Bawlmer’s steamed crabs, courtesy of our hostess here!!! I’m lucky and you’re all jealous. š
Biscuit makes such a cute dognut/reindog.
I didn’t put up any recipes, and there really aren’t any traditions but here’s my Christmas post.
http://tinyurl.com/ydjktxo
Thanks, Susie, for hosting again this year.
This year I am in some new (blog) digs, but still contributing to the cookie party, right here.
I have never been to Baltimore, by the way. Your post convinces me that I must correct this, soon.
Would you believe we’ve been here 2-1/2 years and still haven’t been to Bawlmer? Now that I can say it and spell it, I guess it’s time! š
That crab dip is looking mighty tasty. I’m not too sure about crab cookies, though…
I’ve got drinks over at my place and cookies, too (this is a “progressive cookie party” – right?)
I’ll be by to visit others after I finish wrapping presents and visit the Post Office. Yes, I know it’s too late to get the packages there on time, but I need to at least mail them *before* Christmas!
Merry Christmas, everyone! Sweet Biscuit, too š
There is a place in Philly that serves “Crab Fries” (French Fries with Old bay sesoning sprinkled on them) They went out and copy righted the phrase Crab fries and then served cease and desists orders to every restaurant in Philly that served crab fries. It is only old bay.
Happy Christmas everyone. May your crabs be nasty and tasty.
I’m here! And I brought single malt scotch! (Or rum-n-nog or bailey’s-n-cocoa if you prefer.) Now, where’s that cute bartender?? š
At our house, our big Christmas food tradition is chocolate-mint cookies. This year we baked and delivered over 9 dozen, keeping another 2 dozen or so for ourselves. And I’m told this morning by kids & husband that we didn’t bake enough of them. *sheesh* I put the recipe up for the cookie exchange a few years ago, and it hasn’t changed, so I have nothing new to add because I’m boring like that. Maybe I should start drinking some of that scotch…
http://janasayqua.blogspot.com/2009/12/christmas-cookie-exchange-etc.html
I blogged! Wow it’s amazing what you inspire me to do LOL
Hooray for Shari!
[quickly lining up for the single malt]
Oh man! This is what happens when I’m offline all day! I hope there’s still some booze and food left, even though I’m so late.
Your “powdered dognuts” made me LOL. Mainline Mom mentioned a blogger BBQ next summer when she’s in PA. You’re making me think we should bring the party to Bawlmer and have crab. Yum!
Merry Christmas, Fairchilds!
I’m currently on rescue squad duty and so can’t stay long, but I wanted to pop in and say hello! Happy holidays to everyone!
CK, I keep forgetting to get Bailey’s, then every time I see you, I think of it!
Bucky, please do come to Hon Fest. I still haven’t made it there, but I know it would be a HOOT.
Jana, got your cute kid card today. Thank you!
Thank you, Shauna. Good advice.
Squirl, and I thank you kindly for coming. I love your holiday decor. Your post actually helped me understand something about my ass-dragging this holiday season. I used to love shopping for my Mom — even though I complained about her being hard to please, with gifts, I still loved to try. Every year, my holiday season would kick off with the buying, wrapping and mailing of her gifts. This year, there was no kick-off, and I don’t think the season has really begun for me. And truth be told, I don’t know that it will, this year.
Karen, if you come to Bawlmer, please give me a heads-up; I’d love to meet you š
kc, yes, you must come to Bawlmer. I like the idea of a crab feast here. I will put you on the list.
william, Philly should stick to cheesesteaks and leave crabby things to us.
shari, we can’t find a bartender, since word got around about the things that were perpetrated against the last one.
Shawkey, I do like like the idea of a crab feast/crab ornament decorating contest, right here. Let’s mull that over…
Oops, Kalki, I missed you. What I want to say to you is, I hope you are having a boring night, that no one needs your capable service, and that you have a very Merry Christmas.
Biscuit is so darn cute! I’m enjoying reading all your posts. š I wish I could stay home tomorrow and bake!
OK, my jolly and cheerful Christmas blog is posted:
http://bucky4eyes.blogspot.com/2009/12/if-i-hear-those-fucking-dogs-barking.html
Happy holidays everyone. š
My mom is currently making my great-great-grandmother’s molasses cookies. She found the recipe card in my grandma’s writing and a note that said “Grandma always had these cookies in her cookie jar when we would go to visit her.”
Susie, Merry Christmas, I love you sis!
Hmm, my post won’t go through when I include a link to my blog. So…just click on my name for my contribution. š
Um…I’m a vegetarian, but my zodiac sign is Cancer the Crab, which I’m very proud of.
Love the sugar-coated Biscuit!
The Cap’n and I celebrated by breaking in my new fire pit!
Merry Christmas, dear Susie!
Happy Birthday Susie!
I can’t even begin to describe how much I miss fresh Blue Crabs. Om nom nom…
Now I must go find something to appease my suddenly rumbly tumbly.