We Are More Than a Spice Company…

Eaglewingz Chesapeake Brand Hot Sauce

 

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Introducing Eaglewingz Chesapeake Brand Hot Sauce made with J.O. Spice! This product is made by a great family man in Delaware.

We are excited to distribute this new product created by another small family business. It’s a great sauce for chicken wings, chicken tenders, and probably ribs, fish and more although I’ve not had the chance to try since I just love how it tastes on chicken wings!

Eaglewingz Chesapeake Brand Hot Sauce was created in 1988 by Rick Ewing using a “little of this, a little of that” and once his family and friends tasted the sauce, they knew what he had to do: bottle it, sell it and get it to market! It’s a local favorite in the Delmarva area and in 2010 it finally became a bottled name. It’s offered in Rick’s store: Something Hot Specialty Sauces, on our very own website and in many areas across Delmarva.

We offer the original Eaglewingz Chesapeake Brand Hot Sauce but there are 3 others: Extreme, Pineapple Teriyaki and Cayenne Cassie. Once you’ve put this sauce on your chicken wings, chicken tenders, chicken bites, chicken “buffalo” dip, you won’t bother with any other hot sauce. With the right combination of butter, spice and sauce all included in one bottle, there’s really no need for anything else but a napkin (okay, maybe a beer!).

Pick some up today, before it sells out! Once the word is out, the bottles are off the shelves and we have to eat boring pasta- oh wait, we might have a way to spice that up too! 🙂

Happy chicken wings are sauced with Eaglewingz Chesapeake Brand Hot Sauce!

Enjoy,

🙂 Pamela

 

Foodie knowledge

February 29th – leap day! Celebrate with a little Foodie knowledge and lots of crabby fun! The “extra” day brings proposals, once-every-four-year-leaplings birthdays and some special celebrations for those who married specifically on February 29th! Here at J.O. we “leaped” for joy when we learned that our spice was being used on Food Network’s web show Foodie Call with Justin Warner and Mo Rocca!

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A few months ago we had gotten an order from Justin ordering a bucket of #2 and some crab mallets. We are all lovers of great food at J.O. – spicing up our Foodie knowledge everyday – we recognized his name from the order, sent a hello and he said he was ordering because he was featuring the products on his web show: Foodie Call! The excitement was felt throughout all of Facebook and social media!

We wanted to thank him for the “word-of-mouth” advertising so we custom designed a cutting board, mallets and a spoon/spork set; and we sent along some customized spice packets, too! He used some of the items for his set decoration that you can see on the show (and no, the broken mallet is not ours! Ours were double-sided -engraved special just for Justin! Just sayin’!)

He and Mo Rocca have a blast talking about crabs, and spice and we love that he featured J.O. Spice products! Our Foodie knowledge just got better as we watched Justin make smoked salt crab seasoning! Definitely something interesting to try! We love when people use our products in a different, creative, and unique way.

To catch the web show, and to grab yourself some interesting foodie knowledge, watch this link!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/videos/food-network-original-videos/foodie-call/foodie-call-justin-warner.vid-0242232.html?soc=socialsharingfb

A special “Thank you!” to Justin Warner, Mo Rocca for spreading their foodie knowledge of J.O. to the world! We love J.O. fans!

Happy smoked salt crab seasoning,

🙂 Pamela

Hunting, fishing, crabbing, oh yes!

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Hunting, fishing, crabbing, oh yes! Do you like to hunt, fish or crab? Would you like a glass or cutting board to highlight your passion? It would make the perfect gift for your special someone who enjoys all things outdoors. We have the images you see – Turkey, Geese, Deer and Mallard – available to engrave on Pint Glasses, Stemless Wine, Rocks Glasses, Cutting Boards, Cheese Boards, Bar Boards…we can even put it on a picture frame!

Need a bridal party gift? Best groomsmen gift? It can be personalized as well. The one who loves the outdoors, the one who enjoys and sings the mantra: hunting, fishing, crabbing, oh yes! will enjoy the best gift ever- all courtesy of you!

Need it fast? 24 hours notice is Awesome but depending on the busy-ness of the store and the orders in house, we can get it done within the hour!

We customize to your gift recipient! We offer advice, tips and observations but it’s your gift to give and we don’t engrave until we know you love it!

Hunting, fishing, crabbing, oh yes! It can be done – by J.O. Spice!

So what can we engrave for you today?

🙂 Pamela

J.O.’s Let’s Go Crabin’ Pasta!

shrimpshrimp salad photo

 

J.O. Spice’s Let’s Go Crabin’ Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

1 package Let’s Go Crabin’ Pasta

2 stalks of celery, diced *optional*

4 juicy tomatoes, diced, AND reserve the juice – the juicier the tomatoes, the less need for mayo!!

1 green or red pepper *optional*

2-5 green onions, diced (to your taste) *optional*

1-2 tsp. J.O. Spice #1 Seafood Seasoning (for the salad) – More for steaming.

1-2 LBS Shrimp (medium count) – Steamed using J.O. Spice #1

½ c. Mayonnaise (more depending on your taste)

Steam the shrimp using J.O. #1 Mars, Green Valley Marketplace, & Giant all steam shrimp w/J.O. (Ask!) DIY: steam until pink/opaque. Add your desired amount of spice –some people like a few tablespoons, others just a sprinkle. After cooled, peel, chop – leave a few shrimp whole for garnish/presentation.

Whatever water is left from the steamed shrimp, add to your pasta water! Cook the pasta, using a little salt (or J.O. #1) in the water until al dente/ your preference. Drain; cool slightly, about 8-10 minutes.

Put your vegetables, shrimp, tomatoes, juice from tomatoes, and pasta in a bowl. Sprinkle w/ 1 tsp. #1. Then add the mayo. Stir. Taste. How’s the consistency? How’s the spice? To your liking? You’re done, Garnish! Like your salad a little more mayonnaisy – add more by tablespoonful! Needs more J.O. #1? Add by teaspoonful!

ENJOY!

🙂 Pamela

Maryland Crabs

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Maryland Crabs are something special and when we get to talking with people who have had crabs elsewhere, especially towards Florida, they say there is nothing better than a steamed Maryland blue crab. We are inclined to agree since boiling a crab seems weird! Take it from someone who doesn’t originate from Maryland  -boiled lobster is the way to go if you want to boil something and you’re sitting in Maine….steaming crabs is the best way to eat a crab if you want to experience crabs at their best (and it goes without saying that J.O. #2 is the best spice to steam your crabs in – I say that NOT because I work here, I say it because it’s the truth!! I’m just trying to save you bad meals and wasted calories!).

We were told by a transplanted Marylander who is now a local Floridian that the best place to get an authentic steamed Maryland crab is the Riggins Crabhouse in Lantana, Florida ~why, yes, they do use J.O. Spice, thanks for asking.

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He said Riggins Crabhouse had the best seafood and since they miss their Maryland crabs so much that when they need their crab fix, they go to Riggins. He said Riggins’ steams them right which is why they patronize their seafood establishment. I’ve looked at the menu and have made a reminder to myself that the next time I’m in the Palm Beach area, I’m going to Riggins Crabhouse! 2016 Vacation, here I come!

Maryland crabs are awesome, and many people on vacation learn that when they frequent Ocean City, Chincoteague, Bethany, Rehoboth or other restaurants along the East Coast! Quite a few of the restaurants use J.O. Spice when they steam their crabs and there are others who have their own special blend which J.O. manufacturers for them – all in all, when you are steaming Maryland crabs using either J.O. #2, J.O. Garlic Crab, J.O. Black Crab, you are steaming right. (*Basing that statement on reviews, feedback and personal preference!)

Where do you get the best crabs?

If you steam, or prepare your own Maryland crabs, how do you do it?

We love to hear how people enjoy Maryland crabs and what spice concoction they try – just because we’ve been spicing up crabs for over 70 years doesn’t mean that’s the only way to do it. Some people sprinkle both the J.O. #2, and the J.O. Garlic Crab or the J.O. Black Crab, some like more mustard, others use Bay Leaves, Celery Seed and Vinegar! One customer uses the J.O. Black Crab as he steams his lobster – and says he will never go back to a boiled lobster ever again! Some people say their “secret ingredient” is J.O. #1, beer and Sea Salt because they like the spicier option.

Share your ideas with us! We love J.O. fans and appreciate your patronage!

Enjoy your Maryland crabs spiced and steamed how you like,

🙂 Pamela

 

J.O. ~another fine article!

J.O. made another fine article! AND this has some really good info – how to pick a crab (comic), where to get some really good crabs (and you’d be surprised how many of those are J.O. customers!!), and some tried and true definitions to keep you and your friends always in the know! Thanks to Jamie Liu for doing a great job researching -and knowing that J.O. is preferred by most crab and seafood restaurants! 11407112_10155771139140360_5790059042375321700_n11954546_10156048476595360_4888625941003118543_ncrabs covered JO                                            Reprinted from www.eater.com: Maryland Crabs: A Guide to the East Coast’s Essential Summer Feast – Eater 

Maryland Crabs: A Guide to the East Coast’s Essential Summer Feast

Every summer, people from near and far flock to Maryland’s coast to get their fill of blue crabs. Here now, Eater DC contributor Jamie Liu breaks down the how’s and where’s of crab season.

Summers in Maryland aren’t summer without crabs. And not just any crabs: We’re talking about the delicate, sweet blue crab bounty of the Chesapeake Bay, whose Latin name Callinectes sapidus means “beautiful swimmer.” There are few things that get Marylanders more excited than tearing into a bushel of red-shelled beauties encrusted with crab seasoning, or enjoying the delicacy of a fried soft shell, accompanied by an ice cold Natty Boh.

Marylanders prepare hard shells and other seafood by steaming them, rather than the boiling that is common along the rest of the East Coast and Louisiana. Marylanders will tell you that boiling makes the crabmeat wet, rather than just moist. (Boiling proponents argue that steaming pushes the internal temperature too high and dries out the flesh.) But oddly enough, Marylanders complain that the seasoned boiling water makes the crab taste too evenly seasoned — they prefer the variety in heat and seasoning that comes from tasting the spice that rubs on to the crabmeat from their fingers. As a result, in Maryland, steamed is usually the only option on offer.

WHAT’S SPECIAL ABOUT MARYLAND CRABS?

Blue crabs can be found in waters as far north as Nova Scotia and as far south as Uruguay, but the crustacean’s strongest association has always been with Maryland. According to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, approximately 50 percent of the country’s blue crab harvest comes from Maryland waters.

And they are an essential part of the region’s culinary heritage. “Blue crab is part of the holy trinity of Maryland seafood, made up of oysters, rockfish, and blue crab,” says chef Spike Gjerde of Baltimore’s Woodberry Kitchen.

Gjerde is the first Baltimore chef to win the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic, and was raised in Baltimore. He knows his crabs: “Blue crab is really unlike any other crab in the world, thanks to the growing conditions, and the type of estuary we have here,” he says. “They are superior to any other crab in my opinion.”

The lazy might prefer larger Dungeness crabs from the West Coast, which are much larger and easier to eat. Many restaurants use cheaper pasteurized crab from Asia for their dishes. But not all crabs are made equal. Gjerde notes that other species of crab lack the depth of flavor and delicate texture of blue crabs. “The seasons have a lot to do with it,” he says. “The season typically starts around [April] and lasts until the cold weather comes around in November. The seasonality has certainly affected our appreciation for blue crab over the years, and it is why it holds the place that it does in the Chesapeake way of life.”

From a scientific perspective, the need for hibernation is the main reason Maryland crabs taste better than other types of crab — and also tastes better than blue crabs from other waters, according to Steve Vilnit of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Services. He explains that just like other creatures that hibernate, crabs need to build up fat stores to sustain them through the dormant period. “This gives our crabs a buttery flavor that you won’t find anywhere else,” Vilnit says. “To someone that knows what they are looking for, it is possible to tell by eye which ones are from Maryland, but most likely it will be by taste.”

So how does one look at a crab and know if it’s from Maryland? One of the ways is the color of the fat, often called mustard by locals, which is a darker shade of yellow, according to captain Frank Updike Sr. of Natural Light Charters, who leads chartered crabbing and fishing trips with his son Frank Jr.

The easiest ways to ensure you’re getting Maryland crabs are first to ask, and second to visit restaurants that are True Blue-certified by the state of Maryland. The certification verifies through the restaurant’s receipts that at least 75 percent of the crabs or crabmeat used during the year came from Maryland.

But as Updike says, “Yes, Maryland crabs do taste better. But even if a blue crab isn’t from Maryland, it’s still going to taste pretty good.”

WHAT ARE SOFT SHELL CRABS?

Many consider soft shell crabs to be a delicacy, and a way to enjoy crabs without the arduous task of picking them. Soft shells are any crab that has molted within the last 12 hours. During that time the shells are soft and papery, so they can be eaten whole, claw to claw, with the exception of the gills and parts of the abdomen. These parts are removed prior to being cooked, so diners can eat with abandon.

Crabs typically molt between 18 and 23 times during their life, and they can mate only when a female is molting. Because the crab spends only about 12 hours as a soft shell, crabbers look carefully for the sign that a crab is about to molt — the development of a line on the last leg, known as the paddler fin, that starts out white and progresses to pink and then red as it grows closer to molting.

These pre-molting crabs, known as peelers, are usually held in a special shedding tank until they bust out of their old shells. The then-valuable softies are removed from the water to prevent hardening of their shells before they are cooked and eaten.

Before finding their way to a plate, soft shells are typically fried with a seasoned batter or sautéed. It’s hard not to love something deep fried, but many natives consider sautéing the better option to not overwhelm the sweetness of the meat. Both methods preserve the fatty mustard inside and typically lead to a crab gushing with juice.

At most Maryland seafood restaurants, soft shells are served as a sandwich with mayonnaise, lettuce, and tomato or plain on a platter to enjoy with a fork and knife. But obviously many chefs have taken the classic further, putting them in the pervasive soft shell sushi roll, as well as in tacos and on top of pizzas.

WHEN TO EAT CRABS

Hard shells

The Maryland crab season starts in April and runs through December. But much of what is found in crab houses early in the season or in the winter is coming from North Carolina and Louisiana.

Maryland crabs that are served in April and early May are typically ones that stayed north during the winter and dug themselves down into the mud. Then around Memorial Day, the initial supply is exhausted, and crabbers await the crabs that are still migrating their way up the Bay.

While June through August are the most favored and tradition-laden times for eating crabs, September and October are the best time to get the largest and fattest hard crabs at the best prices.

Soft shells

The Maryland soft shell season usually runs mid-May through September. Because they are a delicacy, the best time to eat them is whenever you can get them. However, they are typically the least expensive at the beginning of the season.

LEXICON

Mustard/Tomalley: Found in all crabs, the tomalley, known as mustard in the mid-Atlantic, is the crab’s fat. It can range in color from white to dijon mustard yellow to a greenish color. It is included with most pre-packed crabmeat to enrich its flavor.Roe: Found in mature female crabs, crab roe is a bright orange color. When steamed it solidifies, and is often used as a topping in Chinese cuisine for dishes like pork and crab soup dumplings, or tofu.Jumbo lump: These are the large chunks of meat connected to the swimming fins of the crab. It is favored for its presentation and size, and is accordingly more expensive.Backfin: Backfin meat comes from the body of the crab and broken chunks of lump. It tends to have a more shredded texture than lump and is less expensive.Apron: This is the flap on the white underside of a crab, which terminates in a point. They can be used to judge the sex and maturity of the crab.Jimmy: These are male crabs; the point of the apron is long and narrow. Adults have locking spines that allow them to open and shut their apron for mating. These are typically the favorite for consumption due to their size and have higher availability due to higher catch limits.Sally: Also known as she-crabs, these are adolescent female blue crabs. Their entire apron forms a triangle, and their blue claws are tipped with red. The aprons do not open since they are not ready to mate or carry eggs. Typically these are thrown back due to their small size and reproductive potential.Sook: Mature female blue crabs are identified by an apron that is the shape of an upside-down U with a triangular point at the end. She also has blue claws tipped with red. Sooks are usually less expensive and end up in the picking houses due to their smaller size. Some say that sooks have sweeter meat than jimmies.Sponge crab: Sponge crabs are mature females that have fertilized eggs attached to the bottom of their abdomens. In Maryland, these must be thrown back into the water.

Peeler: This is the term used to describe a crab as it prepares to molt and to become a soft shell crab. It is distinguished by a colored line on its paddling fin.

Size classes: There are no industry standards for crab sizes, so they may vary from vendor to vendor. Most are categorized by the distance from point to point on the top shell and sometimes by sex.There are two systems of size classification. The first uses numbers, with #1 being the largest, heaviest males, #2 signifying smaller males, and #3 labeling the females and smallest crabs. The other system classifies them by small, medium, large, and jumbo; smalls are usually four-and-a-half to five inches across, while jumbos are typically larger than six inches.Old Bay: The spice served up from the iconic blue and yellow box has become a pop icon. McCormick, the owner of Old Bay, doesn’t publicly disclose all 18 herbs and spices that are in the recipe, but the box lists celery salt, red and black pepper, and paprika. Speculators note the likely ingredients as bay leaves, cloves, allspice (pimento), ginger, mace, cardamom, cinnamon, and paprika. Locals sprinkle it on just about anything, and it’s found in consumables like Baltimore ice cream parlor the Charmery’s Old Bay caramel ice cream, or in Flying Dog Brewery’s Dead Rise Old Bay Summer Ale.Some locals contend that McCormick changed the spice blend recipe when they purchased it from German immigrant Gustav Brunn in 1990. They claim that since the transition Old Bay has lacked the heat of the 1939 original made by Brunn’s Baltimore Spice Company. But a McCormick spokesperson denies any changes to the recipe since it was purchased.J.O. Spice: Odds are at a crab house, what’s seasoning the crabs is made by J.O. Spice Company, not Old Bay. Established in 1945, the company supplies more than 800 restaurants in the mid-Atlantic, often creating custom blends that vary in saltiness and heat. The easiest way to discern if a restaurant is using J.O. is to examine the salt crystals, which are flaky rather than cubical.Apple cider vinegar: Aside from crab seasoning, most Marylanders consider apple cider vinegar to be one of the key condiments for crabs. Butter is used infrequently, and cocktail sauce is generally considered a big no-no.

BUt how do you eat them?

Read the rest of the comic here.

Read the rest of the comic here.

WHERE SHOULD I FEAST?

Most traditionalists think the best place to have a crab feast is in one’s backyard. Gjerde agrees. “We grew up with steamed crabs at home,” he says. “If it’s the full undertaking, you’re steaming them at home or you’re buying them steamed from the shop. They come in a heavy brown bag; it’s all part of the awesome experience.” But Gjerde notes that regardless of locale, the “tradition is that crab-eating is a communal exercise — it is meant to be enjoyed by the whole family, or in a big group, and that’s part of the enjoyment.”

It’s not uncommon to find trucks taking up residency in empty lots and by gas stations for the summer, selling live crabs for locals to take home and steam themselves. Generally these are Maryland crabs, and obviously are less expensive.

For those who are not lucky enough to have the benefit of a friend or family member’s home, or want to enjoy crabs and not have to deal with the clean-up, there are plenty of options that will satisfy a hankering and, more importantly, provide overworked fingers with respite in the form of other seafood and summery sides like corn, hush puppies, and coleslaw.

NEAR THE CITIES

L.P. Steamers

Photo: L.P. Steamers

L.P. Steamers may not be much to look at from the outside, surrounded by formstone-covered rowhouses, but it’s the inside that counts. This 18-year-old spot opened by Bud Gardner is the one that folks in the know visit.

And they come not just for the hard shells, but for the traditional battered and fried soft shell crabs platters and sandwiches sprinkled with Old Bay. Those looking to up the ante can order the stuffed soft shell crabs, which come stuffed with a crab cake.

But what makes this spot even more special is the way the hard shells are classified and sold. While most restaurants sell by distance from point to point, Gardner sells crabs by weight. So rather ordering expensive large or jumbo crabs that are half empty, patrons get what they pay for — meaty crabs.

1100 E. Fort Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 576-9294, Website

Photo: L.P. Steamers official site

Conrad’s Seafood

Photo: Conrad's/Facebook

Gjerde recommends Conrad’s Seafood Restaurant in Perry Hall, a nearby Baltimore suburb. “Tony Conrad is amazing — he has a retail operation and is also a waterman so he’s catching a lot of what he’s selling.” And what he isn’t catching comes from other Maryland crabbers during the season, and from Louisiana during the winter.

Conrad is a relative newcomer in the crab house business. After spending weekends crabbing, he quit his corporate job and took on the business of crabbing full time. Eventually he took over an old crab shop, and then expanded the business to include more shops, a restaurant, and a stand at Cal Ripken’s minor league stadium. Even though Conrad started out corporate, his family has a long history of being crabbers and fishermen, dating back to the Civil War.

To season his crabs, Conrad uses a special blend he commissioned from J.O. Spice. And for those who aren’t interested in picking crabs, soft shells are available as a special when they are in season.

9654 Belair Rd.
Perry Hall, MD 21236
(410) 529-3474, Website

Photo: Conrad’s/Facebook

Cantler’s Riverside Inn

Photo: Cantlers/Facebook

This crab house located in the state capital was opened in 1975 by fifth-generation waterman Jimmy Cantler and his wife Linda. It may be considered by many to be a tourist attraction, but it’s no trap. Located on the banks of Mill Creek, it is the traditional go-to spot for a true crab feast and all-around seafood orgy of soft shells and shellfish.

Many locals will pull their boat up to the dock before dining, and it’s not unusual for cars to snake out of the parking lot into the street as patrons wait their turn to park and eat. For visits during peak summer crab season, go early and bring a cooler of beer to enjoy while waiting it out.

458 Forest Beach Rd.
Annapolis, MD 21409
(410) 757-1311; Website

Photo: Cantler’s/Facebook

NEAR THE SHORE

Suicide Bridge Restaurant

Photo: Suicide Bridge/Facebook

The Suicide Bridge Restaurant is located in the historic home of the crabbing industry, Dorchester County. Along with the proximity to crabbers and picking facilities, it offers a view of Cabin Creek, a tributary of the Choptank River.

Open in its current form since 1983, the restaurant celebrates the culinary traditions of Maryland, serving local wine and the state’s official dessert, Smith Island Cake (8-15 ultra-thin layers of cake with fudge or chocolate frosting).

For those looking to add a touch of history to the experience, enjoy a meal on one of the two authentic stern wheeler riverboats like those often seen on the Mississippi.

6304 Suicide Bridge Rd.
Hurlock, Maryland 21643
(410) 943-4689; Website

Photo: Suicide Bridge/Facebook

Waterman’s Crab House

Photo: Waterman's Crab House official site

While it’s difficult to imbue romance into the messy experience of eating crabs, Waterman’s Crab House manages to do so with its west-facing deck and sunset views.

Owned and operated by Bill and Debbie Weldon since 1996, the restaurant is frequently surrounded by docked boats. But one of the biggest attractions is the all-you-can-eat crab feast (with two hour time limit) that includes Maryland crab soup, corn, and coleslaw.

21055 Sharp St.
Rock Hall, MD 21661
(410) 639-2261; Website

Photo: Waterman’s Crab House

Fisherman’s Inn and Crab Deck

Photo: Fisherman's Inn and Crab Deck

The original Fisherman’s Inn opened in 1930 with seating for 30 and a grocery store from captain Alex Thomas and his wife Mae. A new, larger restaurant was opened by their daughter and son-in-law in 1971. It was destroyed in a fire in 1980, but was rebuilt and reopened in 1981.

The spot is split between the Inn, the Crab Deck, and the Market. The Inn has a more formal menu serving crab dishes, but not hard shells. The Crab Deck is where folks can dig in to crabs coated with J.O. Spice and other seafood items, while the Market allows customers to purchase seafood to take home.

3116 Main St.
Grasonville, MD 21638
(410) 827-6666; Website

Photo: Fisherman’s Inn and Crab Deck

Harris Crab House & Seafood Restaurant

Photo: Harris Crab House/Facebook

Harris Crab House was founded in 1981 by Jerry Harris, his sister, Karen Oertel, and their spouses. But the Harris family already had a history in the crabbing industry; their father William Harris founded the W.H. Harris Seafood Packing Company in 1947 on the Kent Narrows.

During the week the restaurant has an all-you-can-eat special, which can be enjoyed with a view of the Bay. And there are plenty of soft shell options on offer from sandwiches to platters, as well as ones stuffed with crab imperial.

433 Kent Narrow Way N
Grasonville, MD 21638
Phone: (410) 827-9500; Website

Photo: Harris Crab House/Facebook

FOR ADDED ADVENTURE

Those seeking an interactive learning experience may want to opt for a chartered trip with captain Frank Updike Sr. and his son captain Frank Updike Jr. on Kent Island. Along with the option to seek out Maryland’s state fish, the rockfish, the two take groups on the Bay for crabbing.

Both are experienced watermen, and Frank Jr. spent one summer working on a crab boat picking up plenty of war stories along the way. The two will help lay out 1,200 feet of baited trotlines with an anchor and floats. After waiting the requisite amount of time, they show guests how to bring the lines in, watch the water, and teach them the right timing for putting the dip net underneath their crabs. When enough crabs are caught they’ll be steamed for the road.

And if it all ends up being a little too exhausting, stop by Kentmorr Restaurant across the marina. Founded in 1954 and operated by Dave and Tammy Harper since 1993, it offers crabs and other seafood dishes, and features a beachfront tiki bar with a view of the Bay Bridge.

Natural Light Charters

Kentmorr Marina
Stevensville, MD 21666
(410) 978-0232

Kentmorr Restaurant

Location: 910 Kentmorr Rd.
Stevensville, MD 21666
(410) 643-2263

Lead Image: L.P. Steamers official site
Interstitial Image: Shutterstock

Black Pepper & Turmeric, together!

There are rumors that black pepper & turmeric, together, provide great health benefits. Turmeric is said to help with depression, psoriasis, various cancers, Alzheimer’s, weight loss and as its an anti-inflammatory, it aids digestion, arthritic joint pain and knee osteoarthritis. Black Pepper, consumed together with turmeric, increases the absorption which makes the spice work more effectively.

blackpepper1838Turmeric

Turmeric’s* active ingredient is curcumin (not to be confused with cumin, a completely different spice) which is a member of the ginger family. It has powerful anti-inflammatory effects and it is a very strong anti-oxidant. It helps to consume black pepper and turmeric together as curcumin is poorly absorbed into the bloodstream. Black pepper contains piperine* (bioperine) which enhances the absorption by 2000%.

Phew, did you get all that? The point is that it’s been used for over 2500 years, it has anti-inflammatory effects and people say results are evident. It’s available in capsule or supplement form. It’s also available at www.jospices.com as a spice! Turmeric is most commonly used in many curry dishes, added to deviled eggs, and dishes with mustard flour as the yellow color is going to be prevalent. As you eat your favorite Moroccan/Mediterranean dish, sprinkle some J.O. Turmeric and J.O. Black Pepper on top. Add a pinch to your egg salad or your deviled egg mixture. I am always adding J.O. Black Pepper to all my egg meals so why not sprinkle some J.O. Turmeric and see if there is any truth to the rumors!

*please refer to articles for more information! I am not a doctor, just had a few people come in asking for both J.O. Turmeric and J.O. Black Pepper together so I blogged about it! As with any new diet, always consult your doctor.

Everyone deserves a long, healthy, happy life,

🙂 Pamela

Chicken Parm healthy!

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Ready for a super easy recipe that requires little prep and little planning? Make your chicken parm healthy! Baked spaghetti squash is a great, healthy veggie that tastes and looks like comfort food!! This recipe cuts the cheese in half, allows a low-fat ricotta to take center stage so you don’t miss the layers and layers of cheese but you gain ALL the flavor, if not more! Ricotta is the great kind of cheese that you can mix your seasoning into and the flavors are so intense that you don’t need a huge pile of cheese to make you believe you are eating comfort food!

For a healthy chicken parm, all you need is a spaghetti squash, leftover rotisserie chicken, low-fat ricotta, your choice of seasonings, tomato sauce, and Parmesan cheese for sprinkling. Got a bottle of J.O. Garlic Pepper yet? (it’s so delish you really should!) It just makes the spaghetti squash that much more enjoyable!

Cooking the spaghetti squash is super easy….Cut in half. Scoop out the seeds in the middle. Sprinkle with J.O. Garlic Pepper and drizzle olive oil. Roast in 375 oven for about 45-75 minutes, until tender, depending on size. This is one of those perfect recipes that you can do in stages if you feel that an hour is too long – but on school nights, putting the squash in the oven while you monitor homework makes you feel so accomplished!

Let it cool. Take a fork and “shred” out the inside and it really looks like spaghetti noodles, hence the name.

~If you don’t have leftover rotisserie chicken (I have a dog who adores chicken in every capacity so I rarely have leftovers), bake some chicken in J.O. Rotisserie Seasoning or J.O. Rib ‘n Chicken Seasoning until chicken is nice and tender. You can do this at the same time you are roasting your squash.

~Mix the ricotta cheese with J.O. Italian seasoning, J.O. Basil or J.O. Oregano – or all 3!

Layer some spaghetti squash on your plate or in a baking pan, ricotta mix, top with a spoonful of tomato sauce, sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, and either cut up the chicken or shred it depending on how long you baked/how tender it is, and add some more sauce and cheese to your liking. If it’s just on your plate – microwave until the cheese/sauce is hot/melted to your liking. If in a baking pan, bake until the cheese is melted and sauce is hot.

It has a lot of flavor and you’d be very, VERY surprised how hearty and filling the squash really is – and yummy. It’s a delicious way to lower calories, and as long as you are conscious of your salt content regarding the sauce and how much cheese you are putting in/on, you are having a fairly decent meal that is healthy compared to the fried chicken patty and the pasta that usually accompanies a chicken Parmesan!

Don’t be afraid to try something new,

🙂 Pamela

 

J.O.’s Sterling crab jewelry!

JO Chesapeake Sterling Collection

There’s nothing better than J.O. Spice on your crabs – now there’s nothing better than the new sterling crab jewelry line by J.O. ~ J.O.’s Chesapeake Sterling Collection! This is a new sterling silver crab jewelry line created exclusively for J.O. Spice by Peter Stone, inspired by Ginger. It was Ginger’s desire to have a real Maryland crab jewelry line. Her inspirations came from being on the water, crabbing, working with Watermen and appreciating all that Watermen do! She could never find a piece of jewelry that captured the real, true blue crab. When she found a jewelry designer who did such beautiful work, they got to talking, she told them of her ideas and voila, a partnership was formed!

J.O.’s Chesapeake Sterling Collection is Sterling Silver with the option to custom order any piece in gold and platinum. Ginger made sure the crab jewelry looked like a real, true blue crab and as a tribute to the Watermen, she made sure the crabs were anatomically correct! There is such exquisite detail on both sides of the pieces that they are just as much conversation pieces as accompaniments to any outfit!

There is a piece for every budget and with Christmas right around the corner, they are great items for your Wish List! J.O.’s Chesapeake Sterling Collection is sure to delight whether you are a crabber, a daughter/granddaughter of a Watermen or part of the generation that loves crabs. (And, as we all know, that is every generation!)

All pieces of J.O.’s Chesapeake Sterling Collection are on display at the retail store. They are available to order online at www.jospices.com as well. They make great additions to a bridal party or a wedding gift, especially if you are having/attending a Maryland-themed wedding!

When you’re thinking gifts, think J.O. Spice!

Happy Shopping,

🙂 Pamela

 

 

Crab Quiche

What better way to start off a week than to make some crab quiche? Even better when you are making the quiche for a few dinners so you are ahead of the weeknight dinner game! Making dinner ahead of time makes for a better commute and knowing that you have something delicious, fun and satisfying waiting for you to re-heat just makes the week even better.

Crab Quiche with the right amount of spice, cheese and crab is a go-to recipe for anyone who has leftover crab (I’ve actually seen it happen so I know that’s why you need these great recipes!) and wants something crabby, cheesy and easy to re-heat for a great weeknight dinner. The great news? This recipe makes 2 so you’re covered for a family of 5!

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Crab Quiche : This recipe makes two 9″ pies

2- 9″ deep pie crusts (baked 3 minutes and cooled)

What you’ll need:

1 lb. lump crab meat

4 eggs 

2 Tbsp. flour 

1 cup mayonnaise 

1 cup whole milk 

8 oz. shredded Swiss cheese – Ginger would replace with a milder cheese unless you love swiss. She found it overpowering.

8 oz. shredded Cheddar cheese 

2 tsp. J.O. #1 or J.O. 50% less– ( Ginger used 3 and extra to sprinkle on top)

1- Tbsp. finely chopped onion 

1- Tbsp. finely chopped green onion

Directions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 350Âş – par bake your crust for 3 minutes. We used Pillsbury pie dough and it worked out great. We did spray the pie pans with cooking spray to keep the crust from sticking.

2. Combine eggs, flour, mayonnaise and milk, mix well. Add remainder of the ingredients (except crab meat) and mix well. 

3. Fold in crab meat and try not to separate the lumps of crab meat too much. Pour into 2 separate pie crusts, sprinkle with additional J.O. Seasoning. 

4. Bake at 350Âş for 50 minutes or until knife comes out clean. (Check at about 40 minutes to avoid burning, since ovens vary)

Enjoy being ahead of the weeknight dinner game! What did you make tonight? What spice did you use?

Share recipes on Facebook! We love to see what you create!

🙂 Pamela