GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER
TILGHAM ISLAND PIER
TILGHMAN ISLAND
© By Marilyn (LaraOct7/MWL1367)
It's 5pm and time to start supper. Walter will be home soon and will be wanting to eat. I sigh and turn from the window, where I've been watching tall-masted sailboats pass under the new drawbridge. It's a good thing Walter likes crab cakes, I think, reaching for my apron, because that's what he's getting. Crab cakes and home-friesare the fare of most Maryland watermen.
I open a cabinet and take out a bowl, I reach for my black-iron skillet. A 10 inch, black-iron skillet is perfect for sautee'ing crab cakes, but it's also a heavy utensil to lift. I use it because Walter likes his crab cakes big, and big crab cakes need room to spread. Besides, I think, as I wash and dry my hands, one black-iron skillet is a whole lot easier to wash than two crusty aluminum ones.
I hear myself humming as I pick through the lumps, feeling for unwanted shell.It's been a beautiful day. When I'm satisfied that I've discarded every piece of shell, I whip up an egg.I measure out the mayonnaise and grab the can of Old Bay Seasoning. I know the ingredients by heart, I realize, as I shape each cake.Seconds later, I place my cakes in hot melted butter.
When I see tiny bubbles form, I sigh and inhale the aroma. Nothing beats the smell of crab cakes browning in butter, I think, feeling somewhat smug, and I reach for my blue-handled spatula.
Suddenly, I hear a "whoosh" and it gives me a start!
What on earth? I spin around.
I gasp when I see a man in the room, standing beside my kitchen table. Where has he come from? How has he gotten in? I surely latched the door ...........
"Good afternoon, Ma'am."
I swallow and observe how he's dressed. He looks as though he's going to a party.
"I didn't mean to scare you," he says. "But as I was passing by, I detected a most delectable aroma."
I'm dreaming. I'm seeing things. This isn't really happening. I'll waken in a moment and find myself napping on the family room couch.
"Are you by chance saute'ing crab cakes?"
I stammer. "Why.....why yes, as a matter of fact, I am." His face looks familar, but I can't place him. A red and blue suit, a large red S. He's also wearing a cape. Well of course! Why didn't I recognize him sooner? It's Superman . But it can't be, I think, blinking my eyes. Superman is a cartoon character, not a human being.
"Aha, I thought that what you were cooking. I have a superior sense of smell."
"But of course," I said, feeling more at ease. I decide to be daring. "Would you....would you care to stay for supper......?"
He breaks into the widest grin I've ever seen.
"Ma'am, I would be delighted to dine at your table. I was on my way to meet a friend, but I'm sure she wouldn't mind if I arrived late. Lois knows how much I love Maryland-style crab cakes....."
"Then it's settled," I say, and turn back to the stove.
"Might I have a teensy bite?"
I turn my head and see that Superman has come to stand beside me. And the vision I see is one of pure delight.His eyes are closed, his features are a picture of ecstacy.
"Of course," I say, and I break off a chunk of the crispiest cake in the skillet.
What a moment. I file the vision in my cache of memories.Someday, I'll be able to tell my grandchildren that there was a time when I could have overpowered SUPERMAN!
Maryland Style Crab Cakes
|
4 slices white bread, crusts removed | 1 tsp Old Bay Seasoning |
|
1 Tbs mayonnaise | 1/8 tsp salt |
| 1/2 Tbs Worchestershire sauce | 1 egg, beaten |
|
2 Tbs parsley flakes | 16 ounces crab meat (back fin, preferably) |
| 1 1/2 Tbs baking powder |
Break bread into small pieces. Moisten half the bread pieces with 1 Tbsp milk. Add remaining ingredients, shape into cakes. Roll cakes in remaining bread pieces, then store in refrigerator for 30 minutes or longer. Saute' chilled cakes in hot, melted butter. Serve hot and ENJOY!
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