Maryland Crab Roll Ups

The countdown to Christmas and New Year’s is on!  How is 2011 almost over already?  I remember my dad telling me when I was younger that the older I got, the faster time would move.  Today, my “baby” turned nine!  Tomorrow is my 30-somethingth birthday and, while I don’t consider myself “old”, I already feel like time is flying by.  I’m a little scared of what’s to come!  How can time possibly move any faster?

Here’s a quick and easy appetizer idea for all of those Christmas Eve/Day/New Year’s parties when it seems like time is moving way too fast.  It’s perfect for busy party days because you can make it up hours ahead of time and spend the rest of the day just enjoying the festivities.  My mom gave me this recipe years ago and, even though the original recipe is perfectly delicious, I’ve tweaked it just a bit every time I’ve made it.  This time, I think I nailed it.

First things first….don’t skimp on the crab meat.  After living in the DC area, I’ll readily admit that I’ve become a bit of a crab snob.  Living in the land of the perfected crab cake will do that to a person.  For this recipe, you’ll need 8 oz. of jumbo lump crab meat.  Not “Krab” meat, not the wimpy canned stuff in the tuna aisle.  CRAB meat.  The good stuff.  You can usually find it, refrigerated, near your grocery store’s seafood counter.

Next, chop up some red bell pepper and green onion.  Make sure that they are finely chopped.  You’re going to roll them up in tortillas, so big chunks make for tough rolling.

With a mixer, cream together a block of cream cheese and a little bit of mayonnaise.  Then, stir in the pepper and onion, some shredded cheddar cheese and a little bit of Old Bay seasoning.  Once that’s mixed together nicely, fold in the crab meat.

You’ll spread some of the mixture on four or five large Burrito-sized tortillas.

Then, roll them up tightly, wrap them up in plastic wrap and pop them in the fridge for a few hours.

When you’re ready to serve them, just slice them up!  I love Old Bay seasoning, so I sprinkled a little more on top.

Oh, and don’t forget!  Be sure to enter the OXO giveaway I told you about earlier in the week!  For more information on that, click here.

Merry Christmas!  Happy New Year!  Bon Appetit!

MARYLAND CRAB ROLL-UPS