A while back Lorraine was talking about her trip to Maryland and all the Maryland Blue Crabs they feasted on. I mentioned a stew that we used to have, but I wasn't sure exactly how it was made. She was not familiar, so I hopped on FB and contacted a junior member of the family to get the recipe/method. Another friend had a stew recipe for a New Orleans style with red gravy if anyone is interested, but here is what Chip had to say about the stew I remember from those days at the camp. (I will add my apologies that there is no actual recipe. Unfortunately, the recipe may be lost, since all the ones who could write it down are now gone.) Anyway, here it is:
"I asked my Mom how Grandmama and Aunt Katie made the stew - she said that it was one of those things that they did with NO recipe (just some of this and some of that). Basically, they used a large pot and browned some bacon in the bottom. They took the bacon out and crumbled it to be added later. They then put in a number of hardshell crabs (? no idea how many) and cooked them until VERY tender (almost apart). They then added in a little bit of milk and some flour (or cornmeal, not sure which) to "thicken" the sauce along with bacon bits. They then allowed the stew to cook for a time longer and serve. My apologies in advance for these sketchy directions/recipe but this is all that my Mom remembers." (I'm assuming water was added with the crab.)
"I asked my Mom how Grandmama and Aunt Katie made the stew - she said that it was one of those things that they did with NO recipe (just some of this and some of that). Basically, they used a large pot and browned some bacon in the bottom. They took the bacon out and crumbled it to be added later. They then put in a number of hardshell crabs (? no idea how many) and cooked them until VERY tender (almost apart). They then added in a little bit of milk and some flour (or cornmeal, not sure which) to "thicken" the sauce along with bacon bits. They then allowed the stew to cook for a time longer and serve. My apologies in advance for these sketchy directions/recipe but this is all that my Mom remembers." (I'm assuming water was added with the crab.)
Daphne
Keep your mind wide open.
Keep your mind wide open.