Coastal Maine Seafood Stuffing
Immerse yourself in the flavors of the Maine coast with this extraordinary seafood stuffing recipe. Originating from the kitchen of Linda Hoglund, a lifelong resident of Franklin, Maine, this stuffing features a medley of the freshest scallops, shrimp, and crab that the Atlantic has to offer. Inspired by her husband, a dedicated lobster fisherman and scallop diver, this dish has become a cherished holiday tradition in their home, boasting a rich blend of savory ingredients and a comforting texture. Whether you're stuffing your Thanksgiving turkey, topping succulent crab cakes, or baking it alongside delicate fish like flounder or sole, this stuffing is sure to impress. Recommended to be drizzled with a delicious white cream sauce, it's a versatile dish that embodies the essence of Maines coastal culinary heritage, making every meal a feast to remember.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Ritz cracker
1 cup (ground up)
Breadcrumbs
1 cup (plain)
Onion
1/2 cup (chopped)
Fresh Maine scallops
1 lb (cleaned)
Fresh Maine shrimp
1 cup (peeled and deveined)
Fresh Maine crab legs
1 cup (cooked and chopped)
Celery
1/2 cup (sliced)
Bell pepper (orange and yellow)
1/2 cup (chopped)
Eggs
2 (beaten)
Butter
3/4 cup (melted)
Cooking sherry or white wine
1/4 cup (for cooking)
Garlic
1 clove (chopped)
Salt and pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
Instructions
1
In a pot, bring 1 cup of salted water to a boil. Add the fresh scallops, shrimp, and crab legs. Cook until seafood is 3/4 done. Strain the seafood, reserving the cooking liquid.
2
In a mixing bowl, combine the ground Ritz crackers and breadcrumbs. Pour the reserved liquid over the mixture and let it absorb until moist.
3
In a skillet over medium heat, caramelize the chopped onion, bell peppers, and celery until soft and fragrant. Stir into the breadcrumb mixture.
4
In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and combine with the melted butter. Fold this mixture into the breadcrumb and vegetable mixture.
5
Add the cooked seafood and mix gently to combine. Stir in the cooking sherry or white wine, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
6
Cover the bowl and let the stuffing sit for 15 minutes to meld the flavors before using.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Coastal Maine Seafood Stuffing?
Coastal Maine Seafood Stuffing is a rich, savory dish featuring a medley of fresh scallops, shrimp, and crab, originating from the coastal culinary traditions of Franklin, Maine.
Who created this seafood stuffing recipe?
The recipe was created by Linda Hoglund, a lifelong resident of Franklin, Maine.
What was the inspiration for this dish?
It was inspired by Linda Hoglund's husband, who is a dedicated lobster fisherman and scallop diver.
What types of seafood are included in the recipe?
The recipe includes fresh Maine scallops, fresh Maine shrimp, and cooked Maine crab legs.
How should the seafood be prepared initially?
The scallops, shrimp, and crab legs should be boiled in salted water until they are 3/4 done, then strained while reserving the liquid.
What kind of crackers are used in this stuffing?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of ground-up Ritz crackers.
What type of breadcrumbs are required?
The recipe requires 1 cup of plain breadcrumbs to be mixed with the ground crackers.
How is the breadcrumb mixture moistened?
The reserved cooking liquid from the seafood is poured over the cracker and breadcrumb mixture until it is moist.
Which vegetables are included in the stuffing?
The stuffing contains chopped onion, sliced celery, and chopped orange and yellow bell peppers.
Should the vegetables be cooked before mixing?
Yes, the onion, bell peppers, and celery should be caramelized in a skillet until they are soft and fragrant.
How many eggs are used in the recipe?
Two beaten eggs are used to help bind the stuffing mixture together.
Is butter used in this Maine seafood stuffing?
Yes, the recipe requires 3/4 cup of melted butter.
What kind of alcohol can be added for flavor?
You can use 1/4 cup of cooking sherry or white wine to season the mixture.
How long should the stuffing rest before use?
The stuffing should sit covered for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Can I use this recipe to stuff a Thanksgiving turkey?
Yes, this seafood stuffing is a cherished holiday tradition and is perfect for stuffing a Thanksgiving turkey.
What other dishes pair well with this stuffing?
It can be used as a topping for crab cakes or baked alongside fish like flounder or sole.
Is there a recommended sauce to serve with this?
It is highly recommended to drizzle the finished dish with a delicious white cream sauce.
What color bell peppers are recommended?
The recipe suggests using a mix of orange and yellow bell peppers.
How much scallop meat is needed?
The recipe requires 1 lb of cleaned fresh Maine scallops.
How much Maine shrimp should I use?
You should use 1 cup of peeled and deveined fresh Maine shrimp.
How much crab meat is included?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of cooked and chopped fresh Maine crab legs.
Is garlic used in this recipe?
Yes, one chopped clove of garlic is included in the ingredients.
How much onion is required?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of chopped onion.
How much celery is needed?
You will need 1/2 cup of sliced celery.
What is the first step of the instructions?
The first step is to bring 1 cup of salted water to a boil and cook the seafood until 3/4 done.
When do you add the eggs and butter?
After beating the eggs and combining them with melted butter, the mixture is folded into the breadcrumb and vegetable mix.
Should the seafood be mixed gently?
Yes, the cooked seafood should be added and mixed gently to maintain its texture.
What seasonings are added at the end?
Salt and pepper are added to taste along with the cooking sherry or white wine.
Is this a good recipe for holiday gatherings?
Yes, it is described as a cherished holiday tradition that makes every meal a feast to remember.
What is the preparation for the Ritz crackers?
The Ritz crackers should be ground up before being measured as 1 cup for the recipe.