As a Baltimore native, and I can tell you that there are three flavors that you won’t want to miss out on while you’re here: our peaches, our crabs, and our Old Bay. For much of this month, you’ll be seeing this trifecta of flavors everywhere – from restaurants, bakeries, and farms. Whether you’re a diehard Baltimore foodie or you’re experiencing our cuisine for the first time, you’ll love this roundup of easy recipes you can make all year long.
P.S. These recipes are best made with fresh produce. You can get these fruits and veggies from the Govanstowne Farmer’s Market on York Road. You’ll find a great selection of food and crafts from local farms and businesses, with everything from heirloom tomatoes to unique varieties of okra! They’re open every Wednesday from 3-7 until the end of September, so make sure to pay them a visit before their season’s over!
Fresh Maryland Peach Muffins
Need a quick breakfast before class? These sweet treats are a great way to start off a busy day. Similar to our state’s treasured peach cakes, these muffins can bring a taste of the farm right to your dorm, or wherever you happen to be. You can keep one in your backpack for a between classes pick-me-up. Plus, if you freeze them, you can have a little stash of them ready to heat up later. Adding fresh peaches from the Farmer’s Market instead of canned peaches makes all the difference for these muffins in both taste and texture, and you can feel good about supporting our local farmers and businesses.
Ocean City Chicken Tacos
If you’re new to Baltimore, you’re going to learn that we like Old Bay on everything. And we mean everything. Don’t be surprised if you see shops offering Old Bay ice cream, Old Bay cookies… these actually exist! Anyway, Old Bay can give your chicken tacos an unexpected kick of flavor that will make you feel like you’re in O.C. They’re perfect for quick dinners before you have to run out to all your club meetings!
Baltimore’s Best Hot Crab Dip
And now for the obvious contender… crabs! While you might not have time to have a full-on crab feast, you can still savor the flavor with this dip! It’s a great snack or appetizer and it will bring some Baltimore flair to any party.
Recipes:
Fresh Maryland Peach Muffins
Ingredients:
1 ½ cups flour
¾ tsp. salt
½ tsp. baking powder
½ cup sugar
½ cup light brown sugar
¼ tsp. cinnamon
2 eggs, well beaten
½ cup vegetable oil
½ tsp. vanilla
1 ¼ cup chopped peaches
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place papers into muffin pan.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, salt, baking soda, sugars, and cinnamon. Make a well in the center. Add the eggs, oil, and vanilla and stir just until dry mixture is moistened.
- Stir in the chopped peaches.
- Fill the muffin tins 2/3 full. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-35 minutes or until toothpick tests done.
Ocean City Chicken Tacos
Ingredients:
4-6 flour tortilla Taco Boats
Oil for sautéing
4 boneless chicken breasts
Onion powder
Salt
1 ripe avocado or 1 ready-made package of guacamole
Lettuce, chopped
Tomatoes, chopped
Onions, chopped
Peppers, chopped
Shredded Mexican Cheese
Old Bay seasoning
Directions:
Cut up chicken into 1 ½ inch cubes. Place chicken in oiled skillet. Sprinkle with onion powder, Old Bay seasoning, and salt. Brown on all sides. Turn heat down to medium-low and cook for 10 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink but still tender. Line taco boat with guacamole. Place chicken on top. Place desired toppings on top and sprinkle with cheese.
Baltimore’s Best Hot Crab Dip
Ingredients:
1 white bread round loaf
1 lb. backfin crabmeat
2 8 oz. bricks of cream cheese
3/4 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tbs. Old Bay seasoning
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
3/4 cup sour cream
Directions:
With electric mixer mix the cream cheese, Worcestershire, Old Bay, sour cream and mayonnaise until creamy. By hand, fold in cheddar cheese and gently fold in crabmeat. Put mixture in a Pyrex-type dish and bake for 45 minutes at 350 degrees. While crab dip is baking, hollow out bread round. Cube any bread removed from center. When crabmeat is finished baking, spoon crab dip in bread round. Sprinkle with extra cheddar cheese or Old Bay. Serve warm.
