Have you ever tasted Old Bay? If not, you're in for a treat.
Old Bay is a collection of spices that is hugely popular in Maryland and the surrounding area. People down there sprinkle it on crabs and seafood. The seasoning is equally good on everything else. It's like salt with superhuman flavor.
Last night, I sprinkled it on buttered corn-on-the-cob. It was amazing. The corn was delicious. Bursting with flavor. And the seasoning costs only $4 a can.
It's impossible to identify the main flavor in the combination because the ingredients blend and form a flavor all its own. The seasoning mix includes celery salt, bay leaf, mustard, paprika, black pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, mace, cloves, allspice, nutmeg, cardamom, and ginger.
Like many things, there's an interesting story if you look close enough. Old Bay was invented by German immigrant Gustav Brunn in 1939. He was a Jew who fled Nazi Germany to avoid persecution. In the U.S., he founded a company that prospered for decades. In 1990, he sold his company to spice-giant McCormick & Company which continues to sell Old Bay.
You can find Old Bay at Target and other stores. Just look for an old-fashioned yellow tin-can.
oops, just lost my comment.
ReplyDeleteOkay then, I'm gonna try it, Old Bay that is. Sounds like men's cologne. Anyway, I just love corn on the cob. So we'll see.
That's Old Spice you're thinking about. It doesn't taste good. :-)
DeleteHey thanks for the heads up this spice sounds great. And love the back story too.
ReplyDeleteAllie of ALLIE NYC
allienyc.com
Old Bay is pretty much an American East Coast thing because I didn't discover it until I moved to NY in my 20's. Now I'm back on the West Coast and I put it in almost everything. Old Bay on grilled shrimp!! Seriously yum. What an interesting little history. Love it.
ReplyDeleteHave you had Spike? It's a seasoning mixture that is old and most people haven't heard of. It's good on burgers and sandwiches.
ReplyDeleteYes, I've tried it. Very nice.
DeleteOld Bay is wonderful! It's one of my favourite spice blends ever. I really like it on roasted root veggies and also on corn, as you mentioned here. Yum!!! I think I might just have to pick up a tin, if I can find it locally (it's not as commonplace in Canada as in the States) the next time I'm out grocery shopping. Thank you for the tasty reminder of this classic spice blend.
ReplyDeleteHave an awesome first week of August, my friend!
♥ Jessica
I think good seasoning is the mos important when it comes to cooking so I tend to invest quite some money in good herbs and spices :)
ReplyDeleteThese ones sound good!
Sending much love!
Larissa
cenestquedelachance.blogspot.de
my mom is fr MD so i know all about the amazingness of Old Bay!
ReplyDeleteNever heard of it. Will keep a look out. Not sure of success over here! Xo Jazzy Jack
ReplyDeleteI've used Old Bay and my parents always kept it in the house, especially good on seafood.
ReplyDeleteStyle Solutions
We certainly don't get it in South Africa however if I saw it I would try it on your recommendation.
ReplyDeleteWe have a range of herbs and spices called Robertsons which has a HUGE range and is the staple in our home.
I have, and it is amazing. I have gone to restaurants where they serve fresh hardshell crabs ( In Maryland) and they have this seasoning on the table! Delish!
ReplyDeletexx, Elle
http://mydailycostume.com
Yep, it's Great... as is "Nature's Seasoning" by Morton... and "Jamaican Dried Jerk Seasoning" by Grace, which you can usually get in Asian Grocery Stores and makes Meats taste Sublime! Dawn... The Bohemian
ReplyDeleteI'd never heard of it !
ReplyDeleteNext time I see it, I'll sure give it a try.
I had heard of it from my husband's grandparents I think but never used it.
ReplyDeleteLove how you cover such interesting topics. :)
Daphne.
It's available where I live, but we're more into Cajun flavoring eeeeverything
ReplyDeleteI have not bought Old Bay seasoning but know that it's used a lot in crab cakes. Sounds yummy on corn!
ReplyDeleteAlice
www.happpinessatmidlife.com
Stop by for a chance to win up to $75 credit to Jord Watch!
Would love to see you Thursday for TBT Fashion link up.
Flying Dog Brewery makes an Old Bay ale! Which makes sense given that they're based in Maryland. It's pretty tasty, though certainly not something you'd want to drink more than one of (okay, two) in one sitting; the Old Bay taste isn't strong but it's noticeable. Worth a whirl if you see it.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know this - thanks for the heads up!
DeleteToo bad we don't have that here in Germany, but maybe amazon could be a source for it!
ReplyDeleteHave a great day,
-Kati
We do not have it in Italy, awww...I am a lover of all things like this one and I would sure love it ! Kisses
ReplyDeleteFashion and Cookies - fashion blog
You know, I don't think I have EVER tried this!! But good on corn you say? I might have to try it!
ReplyDeleteI live in MD and LOVE Old Bay and just tried something new the other night with it. Peeled and cut up sweet potato's and sprinkled with old bay baked til tender. SO good!
ReplyDeleteI love old bay! Its good on popcorn and ice cream too! In my shop I put it on chocolate crabs.
ReplyDeleteWell hot dang! I've been putting taco seasoning on my corn on the cob, but I could definitely use something new! I'll get my hands on some of this stuff. :)
ReplyDeleteOld Bay is so good!
ReplyDeleteOld Bay sounds great. It feels like a men spice for serious cooks)))
ReplyDeleteAnything that works with seafood is a win for me! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletewww.dressed2dnines.com
I used Old Bay on shrimp rolls that I made recently and it was so good! I definitely think of it as a "Summertime Spice". I also had no idea about the history, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletexx,
Paisley
www.paisleynotplaid.com
the can looks familiar, but i've never used. surprisingly, i've never "spiced up" my corn, but with all the food festivals we've been having here, i'm seeing that more often. i have to remember to try this as it sounds yummy.
ReplyDeleteI love the retro feel of the can! Such a great history behind it, too!
ReplyDeleteXxMO
I had no idea about the story behind this seasoning, but I'd love to try it now (sounds delicious). Thanks so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteLove me some Old Bay and use it on lots of different foods! I've only seen it in plastic bottles, though, and must get a tin.
ReplyDeleteOur main staple, though, is Tony's. Have you used that? Or did we show it to you while you were here? It's a Cajun seasoning that we use on damn near every food we eat. My in-laws also introduced us to a Lebanese seasoning that's kind of similar.