Salmon BLT

This was a big seller at Riordan's.

8 oz. fresh salmon filet, sliced in half lengthwise
1 tsp. fresh dill
olive oil

4 slices multi grain bread, toasted
shredded romaine lettuce
4 very thin tomato slices
4 crispy cooked bacon slices

2 tbsp. mayo
1/2 tsp. fresh dill
1/2 tsp. lemon juice

Coat thin salmon filets with dill and broil in hot oven until done, about 4 minutes.  Top with cooked bacon and heat until hot. 

While salmon is cooking mix mayo, dill and lemon juice.

When salmon is done assemble sandwiches with dill mayo, bacon, lettuce and tomato.

Maryland Steamed Crabs

When you steam crabs in Maryland, you need a lot of Old Bay seasoning and a lot of beer.  You actually use some of the beer for the steaming. : ) 

In a large steam pot, fill bottom with water, 1 onion, 2 cans beer and 1 packet Zatarain's Crab Boil spice.  Bring to a boil and reduce heat.  Place 1 dozen Maryland Blue Crabs in steam pot top and liberally cover with white vinegar, then Old Bay seasoning.  Steam 10 - 15 minutes until crabs are done.  Serve with Old Bay, malt vinegar, butter and plenty of cold beer.

Old Bay Shrimp Boil

Here's our Maryland version of the N'awleans Shrimp Boil.

1 packet Zatarain's Crab Boil
1/2 pound smoked Polish sausage
3 ears corn, broke in half
6 red potatoes, cut in half
2 tbsp. Old Bay Seasoning
1 tbsp. Tabasco Red Pepper sauce
1 lb. 16/20 shrimp, peeled and deveined

In a large stock pot, add all ingredients except shrimp.   Cover with cold water plus 1 inch.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 20-30 minutes or until potatoes are done.  Add shrimp and cook about 4 minutes.  Drain in a colander and pour out on a platter.  If desired seperate sausage, potatoes, corn and shrimp.  Spray with liquid butter and sprinkle with Old Bay.  Serve with cocktail sauce.

Shrimp and Sausage Marinara

This is a "30 minute/Semi Homemade" recipe.  Quick, easy, very little chopping and tastes great.

10 oz. cooked salad shrimp
4 oz. hot Italian sausage, cooked and diced
1 can Campbells tomato soup
1 can Rotel tomatoes
1/2 can V8 vegetable juice
1 tbsp. minced dry onion
1 tbsp. crushed red pepper
1/4 cup McCormick spaghetti seasoning
1 tbsp. garlic

Bring a saucepan to medium high heat.  Add 1/4 cup olive oil, then add sausage.  Cook until sausage begins to brown and is hot.  Add Rotels and bring to a boil.  Let simmer 2-3 minutes or until nearly dry.  Add rest of ingredients.  Turn down heat and let simmer 20 minutes.  Serve with spaghetti.

Chicken Livers Marsala

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Here's an old fashioned comfort food entree.  Enjoy.

1 lb. chicken livers
1/2 tsp. sage
4 tbsp. butter
2 sliced bacon, diced
1/2 cup green onions, diced
1/4 cup marsala
salt and pepper
1/2 cup chicken stock
1/2 cup heavy cream

Heat skillet and saute bacon, green onions and livers about 5 minutes.  Remove livers and keep warm.  Deglaze pan with marsala, add stock and cream.  Bring to boil and simmer about 3-4 minutes, to reduce.  Arrange livers on toast points and spoon sauce over them.

Paella Rice

1 onion, diced
1 green pepper, diced
1 red pepper, diced
1 tbsp. garlic
1/2 lb. hot Italian sausage, cooked and sliced
1 can Rotel tomatoes
1/2 tsp. Spanish saffron
1 tsp. oregano
1 qt. chicken stock
2 cups white rice
2 tbsp. parsley
1 can garbanzo beans
1 can artichoke hearts, chopped

Saute onions and peppers in olive oil until tender.  Add rest of ingredients up to rice.  Bring to a boil and simmer 15 minutes.  Add rest of ingredients and return to boil.  Simmer 10 minutes, remove from heat and cover.  Serve with your favorite seafood or chicken. 

Rice Pilaf

1/2 cup onions, diced very fine
1/2 cup mushrooms, minced
1 tsp. tarragon
1 tsp. basil
1/2 tsp. black pepper
2 cups white rice
4 cups chicken stock

Saute onions and mushrooms in olive oil until tender.  Add rest of ingredients.  Bring to a boil and let simmer 10 minutes.  Remove from heat and cover tightly.  Let stand 20 minutes, then remove foil, fluff and serve.  If preparing ahead of time, cool down quickly after fluffing.  Hint: spread out on a baking sheet and place in freezer for 5 minutes.