Ahoy Matey Crab Cakes

We've been making these crab cakes for years, and whenever we can get our hands on some fresh crab, we jump at the opportunity to take our tastebuds on a vacay to the seaside!  This dish amazing because the crab cakes are so crisp on the outside and so flavorful and moist on the inside.  So throw on your gold hardware clad bikini, your favorite sarong (to hide those January unsunned stems) and of course, a pair of fancy shoes, and hit the high seas! 

Ahoy Matey Crab Cakes

(makes 5-6 large cakes)

Ingredients

1 pound crabmeat, picked free of shells1/3 cup crushed crackers

1/4 cup finely chopped red oni

1 teaspoon garlic, mince

1/2 cup finely chopped bell pepper

1/4 cup mayonnaise

1 egg

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon dry mustard

1/2 lemon, juiced

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon salt

Dash cayenne pepper

Flour, for dusting

1/2 cup peanut oil

Directions

In a large bowl, mix together all ingredients, except for the flour and peanut oil. Shape into patties and dust with flour.Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When oil is hot, carefully place crab cakes, in batches, in pan and fry until browned, about 4 to 5 minutes. Carefully flip crab cakes and fry on other side until golden brown, about 4 minutes.Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce (we like to serve with our rosemary potatoes and corn on the cob)!

Top 11 Essentials for an Impromptu Dinner Party

More often than not we have unexpected (but always welcomed) guests who come through our doors in search of a good meal and great company.  It seems that because of our well stocked refrigerator and pantry, we are always able to step out of the kitchen with steaming plates and effortless smiles.  How do we do it?  Read on to find out our top 11 essential ingredients/items to pull of an Impromptu Dinner Soirée! 

Top 11 Essentials for an Impromptu Dinner Party

1.  Salt, Pepper, Extra Virgin Olive Oil and a Head of Garlic- We call this the "holy quad" of the kitchen.  You will use at least 1 (if not all 4) of these ingredients in most of your kitchen pursuits. 

2. Rosemary- Our favorite herb that can be used on your protein as well as vegetables and starches.  Store in a tightly sealed zip lock bag for up to 7 days.

2.  Chicken (breasts, cutlets, or whole)- Chicken is a great thing to have because it is white meat, and it is likely that your guests will eat it. 

Coat with olive oil and rub with salt, pepper and finely chopped rosemary.  Sear in an olive oil coated skillet on all sides until you have color on the meat.  Transfer to oven at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes or until your meat thermometer reads 140 degrees.  Allow to rest at least 5 minutes before serving. 

4. Baby Red Potatoes- These keep in the refrigerator for at least 10 days. 

You can boil these and serve with olive oil, salt, pepper, but we like to cut the baby spuds into fourths, coat with olive oil, salt, pepper, and finely chopped rosemary and bake in the oven at 400 degrees for about 20-30 minutes.

5. Green Beans or Spinach-  It is important to have something green on the table.  These ingredients are simple, but delicious, and enjoyed by most.

Sauté with olive oil, salt, and pepper until tender or wilted (respectively). 

6.  A Box of Pasta- Nothing will save you faster than a box of pasta.  If your guest count goes from 4 to 10 before you can open your door- breathe.  Just boil some water, cook until al dente, add olive oil, sautéed garlic, salt, and pepper (and some parmesean, if you have it.)  Consider yourself saved by the pasta! 

7.  Baguette-  Unfortunately, you can only keep a baguette for 2 days before it is harder than the bobble on your cocktail ring, but there is no substitute and it really is important to have.  We use half the baguette thinly sliced (if you have the time, toasted with olive oil) for hors d'oeurves, and the other half cut up for the table during dinner.  Any leftover can be eaten with eggs for breakfast. 

8.  Cheese- We normally have a wheel of brie on hand because it is a mild, soft cheese that is easily spreadable and eaten.  However, anything will do.  You want to have something to serve with your thinly sliced baguette, so use your culinary instincts and explore the world of cheese.

9.  Dessert- Everyone has a little sweet tooth and your guests are no exception!  We love to bake simple cookies and cakes before bed, however, there is NO SHAME in buying desserts from your local bakery.  A simple fruit tarte, delicious cupcakes or cookies are a perfectly appropriate finish to a wonderful home made meal.

One of our idols, Ina Garten, once said, "Just because I spent all day hand making pastries, doesn't mean that my guests will have any more fun eating them.  Go to the bakery!"

Wise words, sister!

10.  Wine-  While your guests should bring wine, always have at least 1 bottle of red and 1 bottle of prosecco or white wine on hand, just in case. 

Guests:  If there are under 3 guests, one bottle is great.  If there are 3 or more, bring two bottles.

11.  A Table Cloth- This may seem silly, but a table cloth is a quick and easy way to transition from day to night, from life to entertaining.  It will make your guests feel special and appreciated and will save you from messy cleanup at the end of the evening. 

We hope that these 11 essentials will become staples in your home.  Remember, you can alter this list and make it your own.  If you don't eat meat, cut the chicken and add mushrooms.  If you hate green beans and spinach, add brussel sprouts or broccoli.  If we have learned anything over the years it is this:  

YOU ARE THE BOSS IN THE KITCHEN (and out).  

 

Enjoy! 

Thanks to our friends in Missouri for suggesting this excellent topic!  

The Ultimate Corn Chowder

Tonight we were in the mood for something really hearty to get us through the rest of the week.  We had several different vegetables and leftover vegetable stock from the holidays, so a soup was the perfect choice for this chilly Tuesday night!  Try this "souper" easy chowder to warm your heart, soul, and home!  

 

Tuesday Night Corn Chowder

(serves 4-6)

 

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter

Extra-virgin olive oil

1 diced onion (red, yellow, or white)

2 garlic cloves (minced)

6 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves only

1 diced green bell pepper

1/2 cup diced carrots

1/4 all purpose- flour

6 cups canned vegetable stock

1/2 cup half and half

2 cups peeled potatoes (We used baby reds, but any type of spud will be perfect!)

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

 

Directions

Heat the butter and olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, thyme, bell pepper, and carrots and cook until the vegetables are good and soft (5-10 minutes). 

Add flour and stir until smooth- this will create a roux that will thicken the chowder. 

Pour in the vegetable stock and bring to a boil. 

Add the cream and the potatoes, bring to a boil and boil hard for about 7 minutes, until the potatoes break down (this will help to thicken the soup and give it a good texture).

Add the corn and season with salt and pepper and simmer until the corn is soft, about 10 to 12 minutes. 

Allow soup to cook down for an additional 10-20 minutes or until nice and thick. 

We served this chowder with our leftover Rosemary-Asiago Focaccia, but this is so good, you can eat it with just about anything, or by itself!

You can find more recipes @ Claire's blog. Forks. Figs. & Fancy Shoes

Skippies!

Are you looking to have a good time? Are you looking to not remember how good of a time you actually had? Well then Skippies is the drink for you!



*Keep in mind that this drink will serve about 15 people so don't try to make it if you and friend are looking for a nice quite drink. This is for partying, and getting sloppy enough to tell all the girls in the room how beautiful they are.

What you need:
1 large tub (a laundry tub works best)
1 30 rack of beer
1 handle of vodka
1 bottle of champagne
4-6 containers of frozen lemonade mix
Ice
Something to serve the drinks with
and Cups

How it's made
1. Put a bag of ice in the bottom of the bucket.(Make sure it's in a bag or you'll water down your Skippies)
2.Take the beer, the vodka, the champagne and the frozen lemonade mix and pour it into the tub, yes, all of it.
3. Stir
4. Drink

Variations and Notes
You can use any other sort of drink mix too; however, if you decide to use powder stay away from anything cherry flavored and anything sugar free.

This is just your standard Skippies drink, if you want get adventurous you can always add other things; sometimes rum is a good addition, flavored vodkas are always nice and wine's a good addition every now and then too.

If you're having a huge party and you don't think this will be enough, you can always double the ingredients. However, you're not allowed to cut the recipe in half because that's for bitches, you're not a bitch are you?

Enjoy! And be sure to send us any funny stories that happen as a result of a Skippies night.

-Kirby