With the end of May arriving soon and June right around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about taking advantage of the beautiful sunny weather coming our way. If you know John Wm. Macy’s, you know we thrive in the summer months when snacking and spending time with family and friends is everywhere you look. From Memorial Day Weekend to casual picnics in the park to graduation parties and barbecues, there’s no shortage of gatherings once the sun is here to stay. With each occasion comes new opportunities to try new recipes and ways to enjoy the crunchy goodness of John Wm. Macy’s cheesy snacks. As your resident snack experts, we’re here to give you some great ideas to kick off your outdoor entertaining.
Host the Perfect Memorial Day Weekend
Half the fun of Memorial Day Weekend is the energy it brings. It’s the first sunny longholiday weekend of the year. It sets the tone for your summer, and so snacking the rightway is a must. If you’re like many other Americans, you’re probably planning to head toyour favorite body of water–whether it’s an ocean or a lake–with the people you lovespending time with the most. So, we’re bringing back a fan favorite that’s full of freshseafood flavor and the perfect amount of cheesy crunchy goodness to make it an instantcomfort food classic for you and all your favorite people.
Kick Off Summer with Crispy Crab Cakes
At John Wm. Macy’s, we love taking classic flavors and giving them a twist (just like we do with our CheeseSticks!), and these Crispy Maryland Crab Cakes are no exception. If you’re kicking off beach season, this perfectly portioned meal is without a doubt the perfect meal for you and your guests. And while all that sophisticated seafood flavor might seem complicated to make, this recipe is also super easy to make (especially with the help of your own personal Crunch Crew!). Packed with meaty, fresh crab, this recipe has all the sophisticated flavor of a main dish without being too rich, and is sure to let you know that summer is on its way.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups John Wm. Macy's Asiago & Cheddar CheeseCrisps, finely ground
- 6 oz. Maryland crab meat, picked over and drained of extra juice
- 1/2 cup finely minced white onion
- 1/4 cup good quality low fat mayonnaise
- 1 egg
- 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper, or to taste
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Directions:
- Gently stir together crab, onion, mayonnaise, egg and 1/2 cup CheeseCrisps crumbs. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Refrigerate for an hour.
- In a small food processor or blender, mix together Aioli ingredients until creamy.
Set aside. - When ready to cook, scoop crab meat mixture into 1/4 cup measure and gently pat into patties. Coat patties with CheeseCrisps crumb mix. Coat well. Makes about 8 crab cakes.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter until shimmering, with butter foaming.
Fry cakes, turning once until both sides are golden brown and cooked through.
Serve immediately with Aioli and extra CheeseCrisps.
Light seasoning allows for those delicious flavors to really stand out, and our special breadcrumb recipe using finely ground Cheddar & Asiago CheeseCrisps takes it all to a whole other level. Cheddar and asiago have a distinct cheesy flavor that compliments the flavor of the crab without overwhelming it. Even if you’re not heading to the beach this Memorial Day Weekend, this is the perfect meal to make for a big group and sit out on the deck to enjoy. Serve with a side of zesty lemon caper aioli for dipping your crab cakes and favorite CheeseSticks!
Lemon Caper Aioli:
- 1/4 cup high quality mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons capers, drained
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon fresh finely chopped parsley
Add Some Cheesy Goodness To Your Graduation Day Cookout
Whether you have a graduate or not, there’s no doubt that graduation season adds even more buzz to the beginning of summer. So many gatherings of people celebrating, connecting, and spreading positive energy is exactly why we love what we do. With so many family and friends together, you’re going to need some serious snacks to fuel all the celebratory energy.
Nothing says summer like a classic cookout, but that doesn’t mean you can’t add your own twist to your favorite dishes. Make a batch of burgers–beef or veggie–and serve them up with a side of crowd-pleasing mac & cheese. Everyone loves mac & cheese, but we’ve got two opportunities for you to put a twist on this beloved dish that will make your friends fall even more in love with it.
Customize Your Mac with Your Favorite Cheese & John Wm. Macy’s Snack
Take your breadcrumb topping to the next level by adding crushed John Wm. Macy’s Garlic Romano CheeseSticks to butter and pouring that mixture over your mac for amore nuanced, garlicky, and just delicious flavor. Our Crunchy Mac & Cheese Casserole recipe is bursting with flavor with additions like dijon mustard, alfredo cheese sauce, baked ham, and horseradish (if you’re feeling extra bold).
You can also customize this essential side dish by including your favorite cheeses and choosing the perfect John Wm. Macy’s crackers to match as your topping. Fold in shredded sharp cheddar and crush up our famous Original Cheddar CheeseSticks for your crunchy topping. Or go for a creamy, more mellow flavor when you mix in parmesan and top with crushed Melting Parmesan CheeseSticks. Whichever cheese you choose to pair, this casserole is sure to be the talk of the grad party cookout. If you’re looking to level up your burger you could even add it as a topping there too! What can we say, we’re just full of cheesy ideas and we’re always looking to add a little more crunch to your next gathering.
We hope you enjoy the sunny weather catching up with old friends, spending time with family, and that these recipes make your time together even better! Be sure to tag us in photos featuring John Wm. Macy’s snacks during your Memorial Day Weekend festivities, graduation parties, and more. Until the next time we gather round, Crunch Crew!
