🦀 Crab Cakes

Ingredients

• 1 lb lump crab meat (picked over for shells)

• 1/3 cup mayonnaise

• 1 large egg

• 1 tsp Dijon mustard

• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

• 1/2 tsp Old Bay seasoning

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• 1/4 cup finely diced celery (optional)

• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (plus more if needed)

• 2 tbsp chopped parsley

• Salt & pepper to taste

• Oil or butter for frying

Instructions

1. In a bowl, whisk mayo, egg, mustard, Worcestershire, lemon juice, and seasoning.

2. Gently fold in crab meat, celery, parsley, and breadcrumbs. Don’t overmix.

3. Form into 6–8 patties. Chill 30 minutes.

4. Heat oil in skillet over medium heat.

5. Cook 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown.

Serve with: tartar sauce, remoulade, or lemon wedges.

🥧 Apple Pie

Ingredients

Crust:

• 2 1/2 cups flour

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tbsp sugar

• 1 cup cold butter (cubed)

• 6–8 tbsp ice water

Filling:

• 6 cups sliced apples (Granny Smith + Honeycrisp mix works well)

• 3/4 cup sugar

• 2 tbsp flour

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 1/4 tsp nutmeg

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• 1 tbsp butter (for dotting)

Instructions

1. Mix flour, salt, sugar. Cut in butter until crumbly. Add ice water until dough forms. Chill 1 hour.

2. Toss apples with sugar, flour, spices, and lemon juice.

3. Roll out bottom crust, add filling, dot with butter.

4. Add top crust (lattice or full), seal edges, cut vents.

5. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 50–60 minutes until golden and bubbly.

6. Cool at least 2 hours before slicing.

🍕 Chicago Deep Dish Pizza

Ingredients

Dough:

• 3 1/4 cups flour

• 1/2 cup cornmeal

• 1 1/4 tsp salt

• 2 1/4 tsp instant yeast

• 1 1/4 cups warm water

• 1/4 cup melted butter + 2 tbsp olive oil

Filling:

• 3 cups shredded mozzarella

• 1/2 lb Italian sausage (cooked)

• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan

• 2 cups crushed tomatoes

• 2 cloves garlic (minced)

• 1 tsp oregano

• 1 tsp basil

• Salt to taste

Instructions

1. Mix dough ingredients; knead until smooth. Let rise 1 hour.

2. Press dough into deep dish pan (9–10 inch).

3. Layer cheese first, then sausage, then tomato sauce on top.

4. Sprinkle Parmesan and herbs.

5. Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 25–35 minutes.

6. Rest 10 minutes before slicing.

🦞 Lobster Roll

Ingredients

• 1 lb cooked lobster meat (chopped)

• 3 tbsp mayonnaise

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• 1 tbsp melted butter

• 1 tbsp finely chopped celery (optional)

• Salt & pepper

• 4 split-top hot dog buns

• Butter for toasting buns

Instructions

1. Toss lobster with mayo, lemon juice, celery, salt, and pepper.

2. Butter outsides of buns and toast in skillet until golden.

3. Fill buns with lobster mixture.

4. Drizzle lightly with melted butter if desired.

Optional: Add a pinch of paprika or fresh chives.

If you’d like, I can also give you a “restaurant-style” elevated version of any one of these.