I’m thrilled to give a shout out to Old Bay, first because they are older than I am and second because my shrimp salad wouldn’t be the same without Old Bay Seasoning.
The Old Bay Story
There are all kinds of stories about the beginning of Old Bay Seasoning which is now owned by McCormick Spice. There is the official Old Bay story and then a slightly different variation as told by my late employer, Ann D Wilder –founder of Vann Spices . A third concept was brought up by Chef Nancy Longo, Pierpoint Restaurant, who while thumbing through old books at Chef Paul Prudhomme’s home in Louisiana discovered that the Chesapeake Bay was an area where the Acadians traveled and settled bringing their spices through the region.
No matter what, I love Old Bay Seasoning and can’t comprehend my shrimp salad or potato salad without it. The aroma, the smell of the spices with the acidity of the vinegar…….woo, I’m salivating thinking about it.
Their website offers many recipes , I’m thinking about the low country shrimp boil with potatoes and corn. I will throw in sausage and make it a Frogmore stew.
Old Bay Microwave Steam Shrimp Kit
I just tried their microwave steamed shrimp kit. The flavor was excellent but you have to make sure the shrimp are in a single layer when microwaving for the best results. Check out the photos in the slide show. The shrimp salad sandwiches that night were excellente! Here is the link to my story on shrimp salad with my thoughts on how to create the best shrimp salad sandwich. The real trick is to steam, cool and refrigerate the shrimp in the shells for the BEST flavor.
FOOTNOTE: I am always looking for a good shrimp salad so last night the husband took me to Johnny Dee's Lounge in Parkville. I've been before but it was a long time ago. They are known for their shrimp salad. It was abundant and well priced. The flavor was excellent with one cavaet and I'm going to think someone was a little heavy handed that day with salt. I like salt, I eat anchovies and herring but it seemed a bit much. They are in an out-of-the-way location, the back of a shopping center at 1706 Joan Avenue 410 665 7000. The husband really enjoyed his turkey club.
Stay up-to-date with Dining Dish (aka Dara Bunjon) -Follow me on twitter.com/daracooks or e-mail me at examiner@diningdish.otherinbox.com.
Comments
I think I will try the shrimp steamers recipe!
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