I’m not sure that I had ever had Old Bay before I moved to Maryland or if I did I didn’t realize it. However in Maryland Old Bay is pretty much unavoidable, which is okay because I am a big fan. Its most obvious uses are for seafood, since that’s what it is technically made to be used on. Most crab houses use it or some very similar homemade spice on their steamed crabs. It is also widely used on steamed shrimp. However, it also makes its way into many other foods in Maryland. Off the top of my head I’ve seen it on potato chips, french fries, popcorn, corn on the cob, chicken wings, fried green tomatoes, and deviled eggs. I’m sure I’m forgetting something, but that at least gives you a good idea about how wild Marylanders are about Old Bay. Tonight I used it a little more traditionally on swordfish. It has become my favorite way to make swordfish. Just sprinkle some Old Bay on the top and throw it on the grill (or under the broiler in the winter) and you have a quick and easy but very tasty dinner.

What is your favorite way to use Old Bay?