Tag Archives: Fish

Crab “Bombs”: The Explosive Addition to Your Picnic or Dinner Party

Dinner Ideas June 7, 2026 Leave a comment
Golden crab cakes garnished with herbs on a ceramic platter with creamy dip and lemon wedges
A platter of golden crab bombs served with a creamy herb dip and lemon wedges

Serve crab “bombs” for a picnic or dinner party and watch smiles multiply. These crispy, golden orbs hide a creamy, savory crab center that pops with flavor in every bite. Easy to transport and even easier to eat, they pair perfectly with chilled white wine, zesty dipping sauces, or a bright citrus slaw. Whether spread on a blanket by the ocean or arranged on a platter for guests, crab “bombs” make any gathering feel festive and effortless.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound crab meat
  • 1 cup cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup of panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 green onions, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 egg, beaten

Process

If baking, preheat oven to 375°F.

If frying, heat the oil in a deep pan over medium heat.

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine crab meat, softened cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, breadcrumbs, green onions, garlic powder, Old Bay seasoning, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt & pepper; add additional breadcrumbs if the mixture is still wet.
  2. Take about 2 tablespoons of the crab mixture and roll it into a ball shape. Repeat until all the mixture is formed into balls.
  3. Place the crab bombs on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden.
  4. If Frying: carefully add the crab bombs to the hot oil, fry them in batches until golden and crispy, about 4 – 5 minutes per side.
  5. Drain excess oil if frying; remove the crab bombs and place on a paper towel to absorb the excess oil.
  6. Serve hot

Dip #1 Creamy Dill Dip

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • ½ cup mayonnaise or plain Greek Yogurt
  • 4 green onions, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley leaves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill, minced
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¾ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Process

  1. In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, scallions, parsley, dill, salt and pepper until blended. Serve at room temperature.

Dip #2 Sweet Chili Sauce

Ingredients

  • ½ cup unseasoned rice vinegar 
  • ¾ cup of water
  • 2/3 cup white sugar 
  • 5 garlic cloves finely minced, or pressed
  • 1 tablespoon of soy sauce or Fish sauce
  • ½ tsp cayenne pepper optional
  • 2- ½ tablespoons of sambal oelek (please see recipe notes)
  • 4 teaspoons of cornstarch 
  • 2 tbsp water

Process

  1. Add the vinegar, water, sugar, garlic cloves, soy sauce, and cayenne pepper  in  a non-stick pan.
  2. Heat over medium heat while stirring to dissolve the sugar. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring it to a boil. Let it simmer for about 2 minutes. 
  3. Add the sambal oelek (or a substitute listed below) and mix through. Let it cook for a few minutes until it’s slightly thickened (2- 5 minutes).
  4. Mix the cornstarch and water into a smooth slurry and add this to the sauce as well.
  5. Stir frequently (to prevent the sauce from burning at the bottom), simmer the sauce for 2 – 5 minutes or until it reaches the desired thickness. Remember, the sauce thickens as it cools. If it thickens too much, add a little extra water to thin it out.
  6. Cool to room temperature and store in the fridge.

Notes: Substitutions for Sambal Oelek 

  1. Chili Garlic Sauce: This sauce has a similar base of chiles, vinegar, and salt, but includes garlic and sugar, giving it a slightly different flavor. It can be used in equal amounts as a substitute in most recipes 
  2. Sriracha: Another popular option, sriracha offers a vibrant red color and a similar heat level. However, it is a sauce rather than a paste, so it may alter the texture of your dish slightly. You can use it in a 1:1 ratio, but consider adding a bit of vinegar to mimic sambal oelek’s tanginess 
  3. Gochujang: This Korean chili paste is fermented and has a richer flavor profile. It can be used in smaller amounts due to its strong taste, and it works well in marinades and stir-fries 
  4. Harissa: A North African chili paste that adds a complex flavor. It can be used as a substitute, but be mindful of its distinct spices that may change the overall taste of your dish 
  5. Homemade Sambal Oelek: If you have fresh red chilies, salt, and vinegar, you can easily make your own sambal oelek. Blend these ingredients to your desired consistency, adjusting the heat level by choosing milder or hotter chilies 
  6. Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: For a quick and easy option, crushed red pepper flakes can add heat to your dishes, though they lack the vinegar and salt balance of sambal oelek. Use them to taste 

Summer Delight: Flounder Stuffed with Crab

Appetizers, Dinner Ideas, Fish June 6, 2026 Leave a comment
Stuffed fish on a plate with lemon, potatoes, asparagus, and a pitcher of lemon water on a wooden table by the ocean

Bring sunshine to the table with a playful, crowd-pleasing dish that’s perfect for summer get-togethers: flounder stuffed with crab. Imagine delicate flounder fillets gently wrapped around a savory, herbed crab filling that’s bright with lemon, kissed by garlic, and uplifted with fresh herbs. Each bite offers tender, flaky fish paired with sweet lump crab—light enough for warm evenings, yet hearty enough to satisfy a hungry crowd. Whether you’re feeding a small group or a boisterous crowd, crab-stuffed flounder brings coastal charm, bright flavors, and a touch of summer whimsy to every gathering.

Ingredients

  • 4 to 5 Large fillets

Preparation

Stuffing Options

  • Sprinkle flounder with salt and pepper. Using a fillet knife, carefully open the flounder by cutting along the left and right sides of the seam down the middle of the fish to make pockets. Lay the cut sides back.
  • Roll method: Place stuffing into a strip of fillet, roll it up, and secure with toothpicks or skewers.
  • Layer method: Place stuffing into a cavity or between two fillets, then cook.

CRAB MIX

Ingredients

  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced (about 1/4 cup)
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 red pepper, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped fine
  • 1 egg
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 3 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 lemon, juiced
  • 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt, or sour cream
  • 10 saltine crackers, crumbled medium to fine
  • 1 pound lump crabmeat, picked clean of shells
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. In a medium skillet, melt the butter and sauté the onions, garlic, parsley, and peppers until soft; set aside to cool.
  3. In a mixing bowl, combine the egg, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, heavy cream, mustard, lemon juice, and Greek yogurt. Add the cooled onions, garlic, peppers, and parsley; gently mix in the Saltine crackers and crabmeat. Add salt and pepper to taste.  
  4. Stuff the flounder with the Crab Mix, and press the sides down to cover the filling. Sprinkle with paprika.
  5. Coat a glass baking dish with cooking spray. Place the fish in the dish and bake for 20 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 145°F.
  6. Without removing the dish from the oven, turn the oven to broil and broil for 5 additional minutes.
  7. When the fish is done, remove it from the oven.

*Optional: Melt ½ cup of butter and drizzle over fillets when finished baking.

Baked Salmon with Brown Sugar Rub

Dinner Ideas March 11, 2026 Leave a comment

Using a brown sugar rub on a salmon fillet not only elevates its flavor profile but also adds an appealing visual appeal, making it a popular choice among seafood enthusiasts and home cooks alike. Applying a brown sugar rub on a salmon fillet is a popular culinary technique that enhances the fish’s natural flavors while adding a subtle sweetness and caramelized crust. Additionally, the brown sugar rub can be customized with herbs or spices to suit personal preferences, making it a versatile option for enhancing the taste of salmon.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1-1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1-1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • 1-1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Korean Pepper Flakes (optional)
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1 2-pound salmon filet
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Process

  1. Preheat the oven to 375° F.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, salt, paprika, garlic powder, pepper flakes, and pepper.
  3. Place the salmon on a parchment or aluminum foil lined, rimmed baking sheet, skin side down. Brush the salmon with the olive oil, then rub it with the spice mixture until completely coated.
  4. Bake in the center of the oven for 15 – 18 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork. (Internal temperature 145° F. or 63° C.)